To maximize its impact, the Power of We Consortium does much of its work through faith-based and community organizations. The PWC believes that organizations rooted in the community have a better understanding of community challenges; are more culturally, geographically, and psychologically accessible to high-need populations; can do more with less; and are more “nimble” and therefore quicker to adapt to changing community needs.
However, community and faith-based organizations’ impact is often limited by challenges associated with finances, leadership, staffing, management, communication, technology, and other organizational development issues. The ability of organizations to improve the community is often limited by the difficulties of running an effective organization.
Recognizing this, the PWC has made a long-term commitment to improving self-sufficiency and capacity in community and faith-based organizations. One of its three standing committees – the Leadership and Practice Committee (LPC) – is charged with designing and implementing organizational capacity building strategies.
“Capacity building” initiatives are designed to overcome those barriers that limit an organization’s effectiveness. By identifying an organization’s strengths and then using them to address the organization’s challenges, capacity building can lead to:
- A clearer mission
- Focused plans of action
- New or improved programs
- More funding
- More volunteers
- A stronger governing board
- More productive staff
- State of the art technology improvements
- Better financial management
- Stronger partnerships
- And, most importantly, greater community impact and change.
In other words, capacity building helps organizations do more of the good work they do – and do it better.
In September 2007, the Power of We Consortium was selected to receive funding under the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) Demonstration Program, which is administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).