Not-for-Profit Capacity-Building Initiative

Capacity building refers to activities that strengthen an organization and help it better fulfill its mission through improved organizational effectiveness. Capacity building can occur in virtually every aspect of an organization, including direct service provision, management, governance, operations, and fund development. The Tower Foundation supports capacity-building efforts that improve organizational self-sufficiency or enhance overall service delivery.

Historically, funding has been provided directly to not-for-profit organizations for agency-based projects that build internal capacity. Recognizing the benefits of using existing community programming aimed at building organizational infrastructure, the Tower Foundation recently partnered with local providers through its Not-for-Profit Capacity-Building Initiative. Foundation-sponsored support is now available to qualifying organizations for attendance at selected programs at the Canisius College Center for Professional Development, the University at Buffalo Institute for Nonprofit Agencies, the Martha's Vineyard Donors Collaborative, and the Cape Cod Foundation.

Funding is limited to organizations located within the Foundation's geographic areas whose primary purpose is to improve academic outcomes in youth birth through grade 8, or those whose service recipients are children, adolescents or families affected by mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or substance abuse.

For more information about training opportunities, contact:

Canisius College

Center for Professional Development

(716) 862-4600

www.canisius.edu/cpd/tower_scholarship.asp

University at Buffalo — Institute for Nonprofit Agencies

School of Social Work Office of Continuing Education

(716) 829-3939 ext. 162

Martha's Vineyard Donors Collaborative

(508) 696-4647

The Cape Cod Foundation

(508) 790-3040