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Capacity Building Resources

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First 5 LA is dedicated to identifying and developing capacity building resources for nonprofit agencies that serve very young children and their families on an ongoing basis. Our Capacity Building Resources page informs nonprofit agencies of capacity building programs and opportunities offered in LA County and beyond.

First 5 LA Technical Assistance Institute
The First 5 LA Technical Assistance Institute oversees, develops, and manages programs and services to support the effectiveness of organizations in Los Angeles providing resources and positive outcomes for young children and their families. Programs and resources support organizational and leadership capacity building.

First 5 LA's commitment to organizational capacity building originates from recognition that strong, effective, adaptable, and sustainable organizations are critical to achieving long-term, positive outcomes for children 0-5 years of age and their families. In November 2006, First 5 LA began providing current and former grantees with organizational capacity building support via the Sustainability Project pilot program, a planning process (based on a model developed by The Finance Project) involving a team of decision makers from each participating organization coached through a series of monthly workshops and culminating in presentation of the completed sustainability plans to a panel of funders and community representatives.

With the success of this pilot project and the increasing interest in and emphasis and focus on organizational capacity building within First 5 LA, in July 2007 the Commission approved implementation of additional capacity building and leadership development pilot programs. As of FY 2008-2009, the newly formed team of Capacity Building Program Officers, informed by lessons learned and the success of the pilot projects, developed a formal organizational capacity building entity: the First 5 LA Grantee Technical Assistance Institute (the Institute), a series of organizational capacity building programs designed to support grantees as they work to strengthen their impact and improve the lives of children and families across Los Angeles County.

Programs
Social Enterprise Academy
The Social Enterprise Academy is a twelve month program that helps organizations identify and develop viable, mission-related earned income ventures to generate increased, unrestricted income. The Academy is designed to enable participants to produce a feasible plan for developing a successful earned income service, product, or business (or for expanding an existing social enterprise) and to provide support in implementing the plan. The program combines teamwork, expert training and individualized coaching in a comprehensive approach proven to be effective in building the key components of successful new business development.
  • Phase I – Workshop Series & Social Enterprise Showcase: Participants engage in monthly sessions focused on business planning and market research and receive coaching in developing a presentation for a panel of experts from the social enterprise and investment community.
  • Phase II - Social Enterprise Leadership Forum: A representative from each organization participate in monthly facilitated peer meetings that provide a confidential supportive setting for coaching, practical discussions about business practices and sharing experiences and lessons learned during the phases necessary to growing a business.

Click here for the full program description.

The 2011 Social Enterprise Academy is currently underway; no applications are being accepted at the present time. 

For additional information or questions, contact Heather Tunis, Program Officer, at htunis@first5la.org or 213.482.7526

Organizational Leadership Development Program
The Organizational Leadership Development program, offered in partnership with the Fieldstone Foundation, is a two-part professional development program that combines training with peer learning to support the impact of executive directors and senior managers on their organization's operations, programs, and sustainability.

  • Phase I - Executive and Senior Managers Learning Groups: In six monthly sessions, participants will further develop and strengthen their leadership skills by examining real-world case studies, engaging in team-building and problem-solving exercises, taking part in facilitated discussions that build collective wisdom, and establish continuing relationships with colleagues in the field.
  • Phase II - Peer and Individual Mentoring: Individuals who complete Part I have the option of participating in a continued period of peer and individualized mentoring and coaching.

Click here to view the full program description.

The initial Organizational Leadership Development Program was concluded in 2010. For additional information, please contact Heather Tunis, Program Officer, at htunis@first5la.org.

Customized Consulting Programs
Through the implementation of First 5 LA's Technical Assistance Institute capacity building programs, the value of a customized approach to providing professional organizational management resources became evident in increasing an organization's success in attaining objectives and implementing priorities. The success of this customized approach to capacity building requires a high level of organizational readiness as well as a commitment of time and resources from participating agencies.

Customized Consulting Program opportunities offered in 2009-2010 focus on fund development, financial management, and strategic communications.

Click here to view the full Customized Consulting description.

For additional information on any of the Customized Consulting opportunities, please contact Heather Tunis, Program Officer, at htunis@first5la.org.

Benevon - building relationships with individuals who love and support your mission

  • Benevon is a nationally recognized trainer and coach that has worked with more than 3,000 nonprofits to implement a proven respectful and thoughtful strategy for raising funds from individuals. This Customized Consulting opportunity offers participants access to the Benevon Model for successfully initiating and generating support from individuals and becoming less dependent on funding from foundations, corporations, and other types of fundraising events. The Benevon process generates a consistently high level of giving and a self-sustaining cycle of continued and meaningful personal engagement and philanthropy.


Click here to view the full program description.

Nonprofit Finance Fund - a new approach to financial planning and management

  • The Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) offers a comprehensive range of financial management and sustainability services for nonprofit organizations throughout the United States, regardless of size. This Customized Consulting opportunity is intended to support organizations in managing finances strategically during difficult times and emerging stronger. Participants will focus on a customized plan for balancing mission with financial realities, examining financial health, and developing options for courses of action to address weaknesses and build financial viability.

Click here to view the full program description.

Taproot Foundation - Media is more than ever the message

  • The Taproot Foundation has developed a proven approach to integrate the public relations and marketing needs of the nonprofit sector with the tremendous talent and motivation of professionals from the communications fields through its Strategic Communications projects. In this Customized Consulting opportunity, each Taproot project is executed by a team of five to six professionals who volunteer more than 100 hours of time and expertise over a six-month period, working in close collaboration with the nonprofit organization. Participants will work with Taproot to successfully implement one of the following types of Strategic Communications projects: annual report, brochure, website, naming, visual and brand identity, key messages, and brand strategy.

Click here for full program description.

Consultant Resource Directory
First 5 LA has observed the benefits technical assistance and consulting services can provide in sustaining the value and impact of professional development experiences and assisting in capacity building and sustainability efforts. The First 5 LA Consultant Resource Directory is a resource for all nonprofit and social sector organizations seeking professional counsel and technical services providers. Consultants and consulting groups included in the directory have all been vetted through an objective review process. (Note: Inclusion in this directory does not constitute an endorsement or indicate a requirement to use the consultants included in this directory for any programs offered or funded by First 5 LA.)

Click here to access the Consultant Resource Directory.

Articles and Resources
Click below to view capacity building articles from the Monday Morning Report.

Additional Resources
This section serves to keep you informed of capacity building resources and opportunities outside of First 5 LA offered to nonprofit agencies throughout L.A. County.