As nonprofits of all sizes struggle to keep up with social media, video and other communications strategies, foundations are looking for ways to transform the nonprofits they support and build the skills of staff to bolster the fields they serve. Through management assistance programs, peer-learning cohorts, train-the-trainers and grant-supported training there are a variety of options out there. In this session presented at the 2013 Communications Network Conference, I joined Michael Hoffman (See3), Beth Kanter (author and master trainer), and Eva Penar (The Chicago Community Trust) for a lively discussion of pros and cons of different models and examples. Together we examined how you can structure (or restructure) your capacity-building programs, evaluate if grantees are ready and measure progress along the way. We’ll also shared some of the moments of failure — and what we learned as a result.

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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

5. +
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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3
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