Nonprofit Capacity Building Program

Based in Wilmington, DE, the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program (NCBP), provides information and referral services, professional development programs, and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations in Delaware, thereby helping nonprofit organizations increase their capacity to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans. The NCBP is an alliance between the Center for Community Research and Service (CCRS) and the Delaware Association of Nonprofit Agencies (DANA). This partnership is designed to improve the effectiveness of community-based nonprofits' operations and to help such nonprofits prepare for the challenges ahead.

Nationwide, the nonprofit sector plays a significant role in our economy by producing and providing public goods and services that are not (and in many cases cannot be) delivered within the framework of the market or by government. More than most states, Delaware relies heavily on its nonprofit organizations to deliver services to individuals and communities, as it ranks in the bottom 10 percent of states devoting budget resources to social and community services. Despite its size, Delaware ranks 12th among the 50 states in the percentage of its population that works in the nonprofit sector. The resiliency and skill of these leaders will be tested sharply in the next century as they respond to changes in the role of government and in the social/economic structure. A highly effective and responsive network of nonprofit leaders is critical to improving not only Delaware’s current quality of life, but its future social and economic development. However, the creation of new approaches and partnerships requires the development of support networks which strengthen capacity and encourage collaborative efforts.

The NCBP will better equip current and future executives and community leaders with data and information about social and economic needs and the knowledge and skills in management and governance to improve their organization’s performance and service delivery.

The NCBP will result in the following outcomes:

1. Convenient access to accurate and timely data and information for nonprofit organizations;
2. Management and leadership skill development and renewal at organizationally appropriate level;
3. Improved organizational effectiveness through the development of best practices;
4. Improved organizational effectiveness through enhanced staff assistance;
5. Improved technology acquisition and application at organizationally appropriate level;
6. Enhanced recruitment and development of the next generation of nonprofit leaders, managers, and executives.

Information & Referral Services
	Nonprofit Hotline
		The Hotline serves as the central point of contact for individuals and organizations seeking information on nonprofit resources, programs and publications.
	World Wide Web Sites
		The CCRS and DANA web sites include an online nonprofit directory with detailed information on every nonprofit in Delaware as well as tools to enhance the ability of nonprofits to post job openings, promote special events, solicit volunteers, and distribute press releases to local media.
	Nonprofit Resource Library
		The Nonprofit Resource Library's print and electronic holdings have been expanded and updated. Additional computer work stations and a database of library holdings, that can be searched either on-site or via the Internet, have been added.
Professional Development
	Advanced Nonprofit Management Certificate Courses
		A rigorous training program for professionals who have held senior management positions for more than five years will be designed. Surveys show a demand for advanced training on partnerships and collaborations, accountability and evaluation, resource development, legal issues, and human resources management.
	Professional Development Workshops, Seminars and Certificate Courses
		A full academic year calendar of professional development courses will be offered, incorporating CCDFP and DANA's existing professional development programs. We will provide a core curriculum in strategic planning, program development and evaluation, leadership development, fundraising, financial management, marketing, collaboration and mergers, and the application of information technology.
	Leadership Delaware
		DANA will expand Leadership Delaware which currently provides 50 hours of intensive training in board development and includes a field project at a local nonprofit organization. DANA will develop a continuum of services to identify, recruit, place, and train a diverse and qualified pool of candidates for nonprofit boards. A package of training seminars for current board members will also be developed. Click here to go to the Leadership Delaware webpage.
	Nonprofit Executive Peer Forum
		The Nonprofit Executive Peer Forum will provide nonprofit executives the opportunity to think more strategically about their organizations, in a setting where they can discuss their decisions with other CEOs facing similar challenges, and to seek technical expertise through the Talent Bank if needed.
Technical Assistance
	Talent Bank
		The Talent Bank will consist of persons who are willing to provide practical, hands-on technical assistance on a cost-free or subsidized basis and, whenever possible, teach the nonprofit organization how to perform the task independently in the future. Key expertise areas requested include: technology needs assessment, program/project feasibility and evaluation, financial management, fund-raising/grant writing, staff/personnel management, board development, and strategic planning.