Building Capacity

Faith and community services can deliver society's needs with a caring touch and human emotion that most government agencies simply cannot match.  To address the problems of society it is necessary to increase opportunities and strengthen the capacity of faith-based and other community organizations so that they may concentrate on societal needs in America's communities.  It is extremely imperative that these organizations also ensure to their constituents economical and efficient administration. Recognizing that need EPPC works to ensure government is competent, leaders are trustworthy, and civic society is thriving.  EPPC educates and equips secular or faith-based leaders and workers within a wide range of religious diversity for effective service to help build competence, capacity, and action.  

Faith-based and community organizations have a long tradition of helping Americans in need and together represent an integral part of our nation’s social service network.  Faith Based and Community Based Organizations are growing in size, funding, program capacity, and management sophistication. They also bring an extensive use of volunteers, their relatively low reliance on government funding, and their relatively low engagement in policy advocacy and lobbying. 

The success of Faith Based and Community Based Organizations depends on unleashing the limitless potential of citizens, which means creating an atmosphere that compliments excellence and encourages individual innovation.  The reality is that the government needs to respect the critical place that non-profit charities inhabit in our society. It is imperative that government policy, much like needed capacity building, also display an uncompromising commitment to human dignity, economic liberty, the recognition of the benefits of a limited government, and community, which may or may not exercise a tradition of faith.

Capacity Building is a major topic among nonprofits and management support organizations, including funders, associations, training centers, consultants, etc. that provide services to Faith Based and Community Based Organizations.  There is a variety of definitions for capacity building. Perhaps the most fundamental definition is “actions that improve nonprofit effectiveness” (from Investing in Capacity Building by Barbara Blumenthal, published by The Foundation Center). Capacity building also refers to the concept of taking decisive actions that enhance a nonprofit's ability to work towards its mission. 

The concept of capacity building in nonprofits is similar to the concept of organizational development, organizational effectiveness and/or organizational performance management in for-profits. Capacity building efforts can include a broad range of approaches, eg, granting operating funds, granting management development funds, providing training and development sessions, providing coaching, supporting collaboration with other nonprofits, etc. Prominent methods of organizational performance management in for-profits are beginning to be mentioned in discussions about capacity building, as well as principles of organizational change, cultural change, organizational learning, etc. EPPC envisions a revitalized civil society that is energetically involved in transforming the lives of all citizens and the very culture which we live with a minimum of government intervention. The gate is open and the opportunity is available for those who want to change the world. 

Email EPPC if we can help your faith or community organization.