1 SCOPE CAPACITY BUILDING PILOT PROJECT National Funders Forum, November 2007

2 SCOPE - Sharing the learning Introductions Purpose of this presentation Constructed a capacity building model with goal of being adopted by other funders

3 Why support capacity building? From a funder’s viewpoint… Want to invest in groups with the ability to work smarter and make a real difference Dealing with more applications for capacity building in an ad hoc way Sought strategic model to respond to capacity issues

4 What we did Consulted widely with community organisations, consultants and heads of networks Looked at overseas models - Lloyds TSB Foundation (Scotland), Maytree Foundation (UK), City Parochial Foundation (UK) – and providers of NZ based initiatives

5 Why this model? Based on successful Lloyds TSB Foundation Capacity Building Grant Programme Targeted small groups with little or no resources Built capacity of Advisors pool in not-for-profit sector Owned and driven by the community

6 Project structure 2-year pilot ( ) in Auckland area 50 applications from arts, social services, environmental, education, health and disability groups Each application has 2 stages – Organisational Review and Capacity Building External Project Management (North Shore Community and Social Services) Robust independent evaluation

7 Marketing strategy Networks Targeting Maori and Pacific communities Brochures Funding workshops 5 Good Ideas workshops

8 What is capacity building? Definition: The capacity of an organisation refers to its ability to use knowledge and experience for sustainable change within the organisation

9 Role of SCOPE Reviewer Work with the applicant group to assess their capacity and capability Identify specific projects where SCOPE can assist

10 How did we do this? Interviews and discussions Self-assessment tool Workshops SWOT Analysis Agreement and sign off on priority areas

11 Assistance to build capacity: Strategic planning Organisation structure (governance/management) Operational systems and processes Financial systems Marketing Information Technology

12 Benefits of Review process Validation of concerns by independent reviewer with relevant expertise Clarification of reasons for problems and actions needed to resolve them Clear road map for future direction Feeling less isolated and more empowered A sense of relief that organisation’s problems would be resolved

13 Capacity building process Multi-faceted team approach where required Advisors drew on wide range of skills and experience, e.g. financial, legal, strategy, marketing, IT, arts Used funding pool to ‘hire’ additional expertise outside advisory group

14 Benefits of SCOPE project Clarity and confidence to move organisation forward Increased organisational capacity to work towards a more sustainable future Benefits to arts, community and environment sectors

15 MPHS area has some of the lowest income levels in Waitakere In the bottom 15% for ‘medium’ wage High levels of one parent families 34% MPHS 21% Waitakere wide 30% Youth (young city)

16 MPHS Area EuropeanMaoriPacific Peoples AsianMiddle Eastern/ Latin American/ African Other Ethnicity MPHS area43%19%36%11%2%5% Waitakere Wide 59%13%15%16%2%8%

17 Before SCOPE Small newly formed organisation (incorporated 2004) 2 part-time staff Starting to change No clear focus

18 Our SCOPE process Organisational Review Identifying and prioritising areas of attention:  Financial area  Governance training  Strategic planning

19 Process At crossroads and ready for help Coaching from Advisor Financial and strategic Applied for funding for other areas for development

20 Results Strong internal structures New confidence within the committee Healthy relationship between management and committee Major contracts collectively worth $600,000 over three years Not possible without internal organisational development

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23 Looking back – What we’ve learned Fragility of small groups targeted Initial pool of Advisors was too shallow – capacity building to work more effectively Brochure, application forms and processes needed refining Great level of success of pilot groups Funding an external organisation to manage project was better than doing it ourselves

24 As the pilot draws to a close… Final evaluation report due December 2007 SCOPE Pilot Development Working Group launching Legacy Document early 2008 We will have a test driven, successful project to celebrate! Welcome conversations with other funders interested in NFP sector capacity building