Nonprofit Organizational
Capacity-Building Program

Arlington’s Nonprofit Organization Capacity Building Program offers a unique opportunity for Executive Directors and Board Members of local nonprofits to engage in a professionally tailored program designed to develop their capacity during tough economic times. Arlington County, in partnership with Richard P. Brewster of Nonprofit Leadership, will work with each selected nonprofit to identify the main areas of its capacity in which it could best use assistance. This assessment will include the use of the Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT) to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the nonprofit's capacity overall.

Once its critical capacity needs have been identified, we will work with the nonprofit over the next 12 months to address them and enhance its sustainability and impact. The organization must clearly state in the application their ability to actively participate in order to maximize results of the Organizational Capacity Building Program. There are seven (7) phases of this program.

1. Selection: To assure a diversity of organizational participation, six organizations will be chosen to participate in the year-long program in one of two ways:
   
   
   1. Three (3) organizations will be selected via a competitive process administered by a Review Committee consisting of two members from the Nonprofit Coordinating Council (NPCC), two from Community Planning and Housing Development (CPHD), two from Arlington Economic Development (AED), one from Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), one from Cultural Affairs (PRCR) and another from the Department of Libraries (LIB). Word version of application available for download

      APPLICATION DEADLINE: Thursday, September 3, 2009 by COB (5:00 p.m.).

      Please submit materials to:

      Tara Miles
      Director, BizLaunch
      Arlington Economic Development
      Email
      Address:
          1100 North Glebe Road, Suite 1500
          Arlington, VA    22201
      Fax:   (703) 228-0805

      If you have any questions, call (703) 228-0853.
      To be selected, an organization is ranked by its:
      
      
      • Clear and compelling need for capacity-building,
      • Ability to implement changes to enhance the organization's usefulness to the Arlington community,
      • Significant clientele to be served, and
      • Proven history of serving the Arlington community.
        
        
   2. Three (3) organizations will be selected by Arlington's Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development (CPHD) for participation funded through the CDBG program. Organizations must be current CD sub-recipients to be selected for CD support.
      
      
2. Assessment: The six (6) selected organizations will undergo a practical assessment of all aspects of the organization followed by interviews with the nonprofit organizations' Board and staff members to further identify the needs and nature of the organization, and to identify the most likely areas for support. The assessment team will prepare a technical assistance and capacity-building plan.
   
   
3. Monitoring: Arlington’s consultant, Richard P. Brewster of Nonprofit Leadership, will build into the assessment plan, a follow-up strategy with the organization beyond its original assessment.
   
   
4. Training: As a vital part of capacity-building, each organization will be able to have its staff members attend each of the five (5) courses in the Nonprofit Curriculum, as well as referrals to other appropriate courses as needed.
   
   
5. Coaching: Using the data collected during the assessment stage, Nonprofit Leadership will assist board and staff to execute the plan. The consultants will help the nonprofit organization continue its capacity building work and to stay focused.
   
   
6. Measurement: Working from the analysis stage of the assessment, the team will design success measures for the recommendations being made. This provides important feedback to the organization that can, in turn, be used to report to the board, to strengthen confidence of funding sources and to make process improvements beyond the original recommendations.
   
   
7. Final Reporting: The report will be presented to the full board of the organization upon completion by the assessment team. A copy of the report will be provided to Arlington County.