Sustaining Our Investments: First 5 LA Grantee Technical Assistance Institute

While supporting capacity building efforts in the community has always been a goal for First 5 LA, it became a full scale reality in 2007. Based on the success of an in-house pilot program that began the year before, First 5 LA's Board of Commissioners approved monies to create extended capacity building and leadership development programs — now known as the First 5 LA Grantee Technical Assistance Institute. 

Developed by an in-house team of capacity building program officers and collaborating consultants, Institute programs are designed to provide a range of professional growth opportunities. Topics include leadership development, sustainability planning and management strategies. Programs are offered throughout the year and are available to current and former grantees. Some programs will soon be available to the wider nonprofit community.

Below is an outline of the Institute's current programs:

The Sustainability Project

The purpose of The Sustainability Project is to help organizations think strategically about how to strengthen their organization and their relationships in the community. The ultimate goal is to help them pursue and leverage resources that will address long-term needs. The project was first piloted in FY 2006-2007 with 10 participating organizations. It ran again in FY 2007-2008, this time with a team of consultants, with approximately 30 groups participating.

This year First 5 LA continues to work with the original consultant team, Contexto Cultural, on refining and improving the training process. There are currently 10 First 5 LA-related organizations participating in The Sustainability Project. Click here to see a list of alumni and current participants of this program.

Social Enterprise Leadership Forum

The Social Enterprise Leadership Forum is focused on helping organizations develop earned-income strategies, as a means of generating free-market revenue to fund programs and services. This is the program's first year and it has nine First 5 LA grantee teams participating. The forum, presented in partnership with the Social Enterprise Institute, has three components:

• A workshop series designed to develop earned-income ideas into potential business plans. Participants learn to conduct market research and feasibility studies. One-on-one coaching between sessions is available to all participating agencies.

• A day-long Social Enterprise Showcase where groups present their social enterprise plans to a panel of judges for expert feedback.  

• Five half-day forums structured as small group sessions. Here participants continue to explore key business topics and refine business plans with expert and peer support.

Judges and mentors include Jonathan Jaffrey from Springbank Social Capital Advisors; Tuck Newport from Tech Coast Angels; Lisa Richter from GPS Capital Partners; Ellen Sloan from Bank of America; Faye Walsh from Los Angeles Social Venture Partners; and Rudi Weinberg from USI Insurance.  Click here to see a list of participants.

Organizational Leadership Development Program

The newest of the pilots is the Organizational Leadership Development Program, presented in partnership with the Fieldstone Foundation. Designed to give leaders access to high level professional development resources and experiences, the program supports two groups of leaders: organizational leaders — which include presidents, CEOs, CFOs, executive directors, etc. — and senior management.

Participants attend day-long sessions held once a month for six months. Organizational leaders get support on how to address organizational issues creatively and senior management is prepared to be the next generation of leaders. Click here to see current participating organizations.

Coming Soon: Spring 2009

Are We There Yet? Building Sustained Impact

Available to current and former First 5 LA Grantees

Given the tremendous financial challenges affecting the nonprofit sector, many agencies have a renewed impetus to focus on long-term support of their work. The two-part workshop will help organizations prepare to assess and create proactive strategies to address variables that can impact their financial status and organizational impact. This newest program is scheduled for May 27 and June 3.

Capacity Building Seminar Series

Available to any nonprofit agency that serves young children and their families

In the spirit of promoting resource sharing, the Capacity Building Seminars are open to any nonprofit agency that serves young children and their families. The seminars are designed to empower participants to think, plan and act strategically, particularly in these tumultuous economic times.

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