Nonprofit Capacity Building

"Building Community Services That Grow Local Economies" (BCS)

In October 2009, the Administration for Children and Families awarded a $1 million grant to ACTION, Inc., the Institute for Nonprofit Organizations at The University of Georgia and Community Connection of Northeast Georgia for the purpose of building the capacity of nonprofit organizations in five (5) counties over the course of two (2) years. The Georgia counties include Barrow, Athens-Clarke, Elbert, Greene and Jackson.

Purpose
To build the capacity of nonprofit organizations to address the broad economic recovery issues present in our communities, resulting in improved social service programs and activities that help low income individuals secure and retain employment, earn higher wages and obtain better quality jobs.

Method
The lead agencies (ACTION, Inc., the Institute for Nonprofit Organizations at The University of Georgia and Community Connection of Northeast Georgia) will collaborate to grant approximately 60 organizations in the eligible counties training and technical assistance. In addition, $600,000 will be awarded to approximately 30 agencies to support capacity building.

Lead Agency Responsibilities
ACTION, Inc. will serve as the grantee organization and will be responsible for all reporting to the Administration for Children and Families, coordinate project activities with the partners, conduct outreach to the nonprofit organizations and design and administer a RFP process for grant awards by engaging a core group of community partners representing each of the five (5) counties.

The Institute for Nonprofit Organizations at The University of Georgia will prepare a comprehensive learning resource library of materials to train participating nonprofits on development and management of a nonprofit organization, prepare a needs assessment procedure and protocols for use in assessing the needs of participating organizations.

Community Connection of Northeast Georgia, through the Nonprofit Development Alliance, will work with graduate students to develop and implement a work plan for each organization that includes up to 16 hours of individualized technical assistance and 8 hours of general training in the following areas:
1) Organizational Development,
2) Program Development,
3) Collaboration and Community Engagement,
4) Leadership Development and
5) Evaluation of Effectiveness.

An independent evaluator will develop outcome measurements to measure impact at each program site.

"Building Community Services That Grow Local Economies" (BCS)

BCS Community Partners