Skip to content
New to Catchafire? Register. Or sign in here.
Request a demo
Search icon
Request a demo

capacity building

Effective capacity building resources

Catchafire helps grantmakers go beyond the grant, invest in nonprofit capacity building, and drive community impact.
Book your demo

Our partners

Charlottesville Area Community Foundation Logo
The Chicago Community Trust Logo
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona Logo
North Texas Community Foundation Logo
Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation Logo
Silicon Valley Community Foundation Logo

Community is at the heart of what you do. It fuels us too.

Foundation leaders turn to Catchafire to answer:

  • Are we deliberately including new and historically underserved nonprofits?
  • Is investing in nonprofit capacity building creating long-term community value?
  • How are we redistributing power back to communities and their leaders?
Go beyond the grant check
Go beyond the grant check

Give your entire nonprofit network the access to Catchafire's capacity building resources, and only pay for the organizations that use it.

Organizational development to address their grant qualification gaps
Bridge resource gaps

Extend resources to nonprofits in new ways. Our model brings added support to nonprofits, impacting their stability and growth—and the communities they serve.

Impact metrics and storytelling that drive participant and funder momentum
Make data-informed decisions

Real-time reports give you meaningful data about your program, community needs, and long-term impact.

WATCH

Hear from Obici Healthcare Foundation

Nonprofit support you can count on - video thumbnail

Nonprofit benefits

  • On-demand pro bono consultants
  • In-person volunteers
  • One-on-one coaching and professional development
  • Project templates for every need
  • Monthly trainings and coaching sessions
  • Skill-building and networking with other nonprofits
Grantee Benefits

Grantmaker benefits

  • Flexible support on a rolling basis
  • Build relationships with local nonprofits and leaders
  • Understand nonprofit needs and trends
  • Download real-time data and impact stories
  • Proven ROI you can share with your stakeholders
Foundation benefits

“Our partnership with Catchafire has amplified our resource model. When given the instruments to tackle their problems head on, nonprofits can solve some of the biggest challenges in their communities.”

 

Headshot of Noah Atencio, Vice President of Community Impact from the Colorado Gives Foundation
Noah Atencio
Vice President of Community Impact
Colorado Gives Foundation

Our impact

$290M+

nonprofit value created

1.4M+

volunteer hours donated

14K+

nonprofits supported

Capacity building programs strengthen nonprofits

Capacity building programs strengthen nonprofits

With Catchafire’s flexible capacity building program, funders can provide nonprofits access to technical and strategic support. Whether it's securing their first grant or widening their donor base, nonprofits achieve more with Catchafire on their side.

Support BIPOC leaders

In the United States, only 25% of all nonprofit executive directors are BIPOC. At Catchafire, 61% of nonprofits have BIPOC leadership and 32% are exclusively Black-led.

A view showing a BIPOC leader with fundraising, storytelling, and strategic planning skills.
Gain skills for leadership roles 

BIPOC grantees receive first-hand knowledge and advice from expert speakers with extensive nonprofit experience. 87.5% of BIPOC leadership group attendees report an increased confidence in nonprofit leadership skills.

Two BIPOC leaders interact with each other via video call.
Peer-to-peer learning

Catchafire hosts regular convenings to help leaders of color more easily stand up together through peer-to-peer learning, coaching, and resources.

A view showing project templates available to nonprofits on Catchafire.
Tangible takeaways

Nonprofits receive coaching and support for organizational needs like strategic planning, finance, and marketing. Equip your BIPOC grantees with instant takeaways to apply to their organizations.

Join the discussion

Catchafire hosts regular convenings of foundation leaders to discuss grantmaking strategies, capacity building, and timely topics in philanthropy. Join us for an upcoming event or watch recorded sessions on your own schedule.

Learn more
A view of a nonprofit director watching a virtual event on Catchafire.

“When we look at how we build capacity for nonprofits, and how we provide resources that they can really use, Catchafire has been such a great way to do that.”

 

Headshot of Chris Lemon, Vice President for Community Investment for the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation
Chris Lemon
Vice President for Community Investment
Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation
Case study cover image of two colleagues looking at a tablet together

case study

How The Skillman Foundation used capacity building to widen Detroit’s net of inclusion
Case study cover image of a young girl speaking with a colleague

case study

Driving impact for Virginia’s youth
Cover image of two colleagues smiling and looking down at a phone

case study

Building community impact in Minnesota

Frequently asked questions

What is capacity building for nonprofits?

Capacity building for nonprofits refers to activities and initiatives that improve an organization's ability to achieve its mission effectively and sustainably. This can include enhancing skills, infrastructure, operational practices, and resources. The goal is to strengthen the nonprofit's overall sustainability, ensuring it can fulfill its purpose and adapt to changing environments.

Can you advise how to build capacity in nonprofit organizations?

Building capacity in nonprofit organizations involves a comprehensive approach to strengthening various aspects of the organization. It begins with a thorough assessment of the organization's current strengths and areas for improvement. Once the assessment is complete, the next step is to provide staff and volunteers with targeted training and development opportunities to enhance their skills. This is where Catchafire comes in–with unlimited access to skills-based volunteers, nonprofit staff receive project support in key areas such as marketing, IT, and finance. This allows nonprofits to extend their team and skill set in a way that frees up their administrative time and focus on their mission. 

What is considered nonprofit capacity building?

Nonprofit capacity building encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at strengthening an organization's operations and effectiveness. This includes developing leadership, improving governance, enhancing communication and marketing strategies, expanding program delivery, and securing financial stability. It can also involve implementing new technologies, fostering community partnerships, and developing robust evaluation processes.

What is a capacity building grant?

 

A capacity building grant is a type of funding provided to nonprofits specifically to enhance their capabilities and effectiveness. Unlike project-specific grants, these funds are designated for activities that improve the organization's internal functions. This might include staff training, technology upgrades, strategic planning, and other initiatives that build the organization's infrastructure and sustainability. The ultimate goal of a capacity building grant is to help the nonprofit better achieve its mission and have a greater impact. 

Many of our foundation clients use Catchafire as a way to provide capacity building for nonprofits, allowing them to go beyond the grant and traditional grantmaking limitations.

Book your demo