Building Non-Profit Capacity: Findings from the Compassion Capital Fund Evaluation

摘要

The Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) builds organizational capacity among non-profit organizations (NPOs) to strengthen their long-term sustainability and ability to provide effective social services. Rather than support direct services as is more typical of human services grant programs, this strategy is intended to address a widely agreed upon need improved organizational capacity. Though NPOs are uniquely situated to partner with the federal government in serving individuals and families in need, many lack resources to invest in and strengthen their capacity to effectively provide these services. By addressing issues critical to long-term sustainability and effectiveness, NPOs should be better prepared and positioned to carry out their missions in local communities. This Research Brief provides an overview of the CCF programs, the multiple evaluation approaches used to evaluate program components, and key findings from the most rigorous of those studies the Impact Evaluation of the Demonstration Program. Agencies and organizations interested in helping NPOs reach their full potential may benefit from lessons and findings from the Impact Evaluation.