The process of building institutional capabilities is one of the vital pillars of the success and sustainability of charitable and non -profit organizations, as it is not limited to developing individual skills for workers, but also includes strengthening the organizational structure, improving internal processes, and raising operational efficiency to ensure the provision of effective and responsive services to the needs of society.
Research indicates that non -profit organizations that invest systematically in building their institutional capabilities are more able to face challenges and achieve tangible results.
According to the Bridgespan Group report, 80% of the organizations that adopted comprehensive strategic plans to build capabilities managed to double their societal impact within five years, compared to their counterparts that did not give this aspect a priority.
The areas of pivotal capacity building include: rational leadership, transparent financial management, strategic planning, resource development, knowledge management and digital technology, in addition to promoting a culture of learning and evaluation.
For example, modern technological capabilities contribute to enabling organizations to improve data collection mechanisms and analyze them, providing more accurate decisions and more effective response to societal needs.
It is worth noting that traditional financing is often devoted to the implementation of programs and projects, while neglecting the investment aspect in the institutional structure.
Global international organizations such as Fordation and Macarthur Foundation have called for a review of this approach, stressing the importance of allocating a percentage of financing to build organizational capabilities to ensure the sustainability of the impact.
In the global context, multiple experiences emerged to be followed. For example, the Bill & Melinda Gatees Foundation launched partnership programs with local organizations in Africa and Asia to develop its internal systems and the skills of its executive cadres.
Care International also adopted an integral approach to capacity -building, including institutional learning, accountability, and empowerment of local leadership, which strengthened the effectiveness of its interventions in conflict and disasters.
Oxfam also adopted a training model focusing on the development of local women’s leaders within its regional networks, which contributed to the consolidation of local governance and the achievement of long -term development results.
As for Techsoup Global, it has played a pivotal role in enabling thousands of non -profit organizations around the world to reach digital tools at subsidized prices and providing training in cybersecurity and security security.
The capacity building is not an organizational luxury, but rather a strategic necessity to enable organizations to achieve their vision and mission effectively and efficiently.
This requires conscious partnerships between donors, institutional leaders, and advisers, to establish a supportive environment for continuous learning and development, which contributes to enhancing the societal impact and building a more sustainable and fair future.
