Nonprofit Organization 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 12-month professionally tailored program designed to build capacity during current tough economic times.

If selected, Arlington County, in partnership with Richard P. Brewster of Nonprofit Leadership, will offer a strategic nonprofit organizational assessment (CCAT) tool to identify strengths and weaknesses of the organization. Based on initial results, the program will provide direct executive coaching to assist the organization in increasing its capacity, capabilities and sustainability. The organization must clearly state in the application their ability to actively participate throughout the year to maximize results of the Capacity Building Program. 

Interested in learning more about the Nonprofit Organization Capacity Building Program? Attend an information and networking session on Monday, Sept. 12, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Arlington Economic Development, 1100 N. Glebe Road, Suite 1500, Arlington, VA 22201. Speak with former participants and hear from Nonprofit Leadership representatives about the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program. Please bring any questions you may have about the program and network with other nonprofit organizations. This is a free event but online registration is required.

There are eight phases of the Nonprofit Organization Capacity Building Program: 

1. Application: All interested organizations must complete an application for the Capacity Building Program. Six organizations will be selected to participate; organizations who currently participate in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program are especially encouraged to apply. Download an application here.
   
   APPLICATION DEADLINE:
   Friday, Sept. 23, 2011 by 5:00 p.m.
   
   Please submit SEVEN copies of your application via mail or fax to:
   Tara Palacios
   Director, BizLaunch
   Arlington Economic Development, 1100 North Glebe Road, Suite 1500, Arlington, VA 22201
   Fax: (703) 228-0805
   

   Questions? Please call (703) 228-0853 or e-mail Tara Palacios

2. Selection: To assure a diversity of organizational participation, six organizations will be chosen from a variety of nonprofit sectors via a competitive process administered by a review committee. The committee will consist of two staff members from the Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, two from Arlington Economic Development, one from the Department of Health & Human Services, one from the Department of Parks Recreation & Cultural Resources, and one from Arlington County Public Library.
   
   To be selected, an organization is ranked by its:
   Clear and compelling need for capacity-building;
   Active participation of key stakeholders of the organization (i.e., Executive Director, Board Members, Staff, etc.);
   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. 

3. Assessment: The six 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 coaching plan. 

4. Monitoring: Arlington’s partner, Nonprofit Leadership, will build into the assessment plan a follow-up strategy with the organization beyond its original assessment. 

5. Training: As a vital part of capacity-building, each organization's staff and/or management will be invited to attend each of the educational courses offered in the program, and will receive referrals to other appropriate courses as needed. 

6. Coaching: Using the data collected during the assessment stage, Nonprofit Leadership will assist board and key staff to execute the plan. The executive coach will help the organization continue its capacity building work and to stay focused. 

7. 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 be used to report to its Board to strengthen confidence of funding sources and to make process improvements beyond the original recommendations. 

8. Final Reporting: The report will be presented to the organizations' full Board upon completion by the assessment team. A copy of the report will be provided to Arlington County.