Capacity Building for Nonprofit Sustainability: Learning from Grantees and Best-Practices Literature

Nonprofits and funders agree on the importance of nonprofits’ ability to sustain impactful efforts making a positive difference in community. Unfortunately, there is not a shared understanding of what nonprofit sustainability is, and how nonprofits and funders can each contribute to sustainability, particularly in today’s challenging financial, social, economic, and political context. During this session, the presenters will share a framework that funders can use to think more holistically about capacity building to support nonprofit sustainability at different points of the organizational life cycle. The framework draws on a literature review commissioned by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation and interviews conducted with grantees about nonprofit sustainability. Join colleagues to learn about sustainability, share strategies, and reflect on ways funders can better support nonprofit sustainability.

Speakers

Claire Chang
Senior Program Officer
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation

Melanie Ferris, MPH
Principal Consultant
Melanie Ferris Consulting, LLC

Patti Tototzintle
Chief Executive Officer
Casa de Esperanza