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Transformative Capacity Building Models:
Strengthening Grantee Communications Skills
Beyond Funding Communications Network
October 4, 2013 |#comnetwork13
@kanter
@farra@chicagopolkadot
@micheal_hoffman

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Agenda
 Introduction and Icebreaker
 Transformative Capacity Building:
What’s the Value?
 Models and Approaches: Discussion
 Things We Have Learned
 Reflection
#comnetwork13

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Audience Poll
 Does your foundation
provide capacity building
beyond funding?
 What type of capacity
building programs?
#comnetwork13
Photo: US Department of
Agriculture, Flickr

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Transformative
Capacity
Building
In-depth learning
that helps grantees
strengthen skills in
a way that lasts and
changes the
organization.
#comnetwork13
Flickr photo by Tobyrotter

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SpectraGram
#comnetwork13
Supporting capacity building is a waste of
our foundation’s resources
Agree Strongly ………………..Neutral…………………Disagree Strongly
Photo by NEP, Flickr

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Models and Approaches
#comnetwork13
1: Master Class 2: Workshop,
Follow Up
3: Expert
Consulting
4: Peer Learning
• A few examples and discussion

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Many Different Models
#comnetwork13
Intensive Master Class
Workshop, Monthly Meetings
Blended Approaches: Content or Peer
Learning Instructional Design
Other

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Model: Hands On Workshop
Intensive Master Class
International Fundraising Congress
 Annual Fundraising Conference in Holland, intensive pre-
conference workshop
 Goal: Short, intensive work to both learn and do
 Structure: 6 hours over 2 days, up to 45 people per,
depending on limits set by facilitator
 Attendees: From large and small organizations, all wanting to
raise more funds
 Outcomes: Individuals with new skills, high morale and
budding plans to bring those new skills home with them
#comnetwork13

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Model: In-Person Networking
Workshop + Monthly Meetings
Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN)
 Funded by Chicago Community Trust
 Goal: Equip nonprofits with marketing/tech/social media
expertise
 Structure: Partner NTEN to host workshop; sustain momentum
with monthly meetings
 Incentive: Direct access to national expert—at no cost to
nonprofits
 Outcomes: Support for nonprofits beyond funding priorities,
creation of a community of practice, increased perception of
funder as giving and accessible

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Model: Blended Approach
Content Delivery & Experts Consultants
Jewish Day School Social Media Academy
 Funded by AVI CHAI Foundation – 3 cohorts, since 2011
 Goal: Help Jewish Day Schools develop strategic use of social
media in marketing, alumni relations and development
 Structure: In-person kickoff, webinar trainings, project or
‘experiment’, fundraising campaign, peer support via
conference calls and Facebook group, and personalized
coaching and consulting
 Incentive: Fundraising match + expense reimbursement
 Outcomes: Institutional buy-in, increased engagement on at
least one social channel, new donors/$ raised
#comnetwork13

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Model: Blended Approach
Peer Learning and Coaching
Networked Nonprofit and Measuring Networked Nonprofit
 Funded by Packard Foundation OE Program, 8 cohorts, since
2010
 Goal: Improve networked strategy, social media integration,
and measurement skills
 Structure: Blend of content delivery with peer learning. Use of
monthly conference calls, learning analytics, target coaching,
learning culmination, Facebook group, and wiki journals
 Outcomes: Improved practices, established integrated
strategy, measurement, organizational buy-in, informal
collaboration with other organizations in cohort, replicated
peer learning model internally or with partners
#comnetwork13

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Other Models…
 Train the Trainer
 Circuit Rider
 Consultant Matching
 Peer coaching
 Conferences
 MOOC/online courses
#comnetwork13

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Design Principles
#comnetwork13
The Things We Have Learned!
Foundation
Involvement
Recruitment
Vetting
Curriculum
Content
Instructional
Design
Delivery
Measurement
Evaluation

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Reflection
 Think and Write:
 What resonated?
 What is your big takeaway?
 Grand Synthesis
 Want to keep the conversation going?
#comnetwork13