Capacity Building Support

Experience tells us that organizations are more successful in fulfilling their missions when operating with a strong and healthy capacity (i.e. adequate funds, thoughtful planning, effective boards, well trained staff, etc.). Challenges are inevitable, but knowing how to recognize and respond to stresses on capacity will prevent small challenges from escalating into more serious breakdowns and help sustain your organization in the long term.

NAMAC's Capacity Building Support program helps organizations plan for and invest in valuable capacity building projects that strengthen internal operations and systems; support internal governance and leadership development; develop strategic fiscal and human resources; and create innovative strategies for community engagement and support.

NAMAC’s Capacity Building Support is made possible through generous funding from The Nathan Cummings Foundation and The National Endowment for the Arts

"The thirty-year old Nickelodeon Theatre was struggling with an urgent challenge on whether to relocate to a much larger facility and grow in huge steps or stay put. Garnering NAMAC's Capacity Building Support helped make it clear to our board, community and staff exactly which path to choose." —- Larry Hembree, Nickelodeon Theatre

Eligibility

Only current NAMAC Organizational Members are eligible to apply.

Independent Professional and Affiliate members are not eligible to apply. If you or your organization are not a current member of NAMAC, you can easily join today!

How It Works

Typically, NAMAC provides two types of support for Members.

***Eligible members may submit one application for either organizational planning support or study trip support.***

1. Organizational Planning Support

The Organizational Planning Support option allows members to pursue a planning project that builds organizational capacity, including increasing board and staff effectiveness, developing internal systems, and research. Planning projects could be strategic planning, market studies, board development, succession planning, organizational assessment, and communication plan development, among others.

Appropriate expenses include outside consultant fees, space rental, and other expenses related to your planning project as reflected in the approved project budget. Ineligible expenses include: equipment and software purchases; salaries for permanent staff; content management and website development.

NAMAC's 2013 Planning Support option builds on this tradition but with some modifications designed to provide you even more value for your membership. This year's Planning Support is made possible through an exciting partnership with Catchafire. Learn more about the 2013 Grants here.

2. Study Trip Support

The Study Trip Support option allows members to visit the site of a mentor organization in order to learn new approaches to internal operations, community engagement, artist relations and more. Potential activities include shadowing a staff person, attending a board meeting, observing exhibition programs, meeting with community leaders, meeting with local film/video/new media artists, and more. Applicants will identify learning objectives and create an itinerary that supports these objectives.

Appropriate expenses for this option are airfare, ground transportation, housing, meals, and out of pocket expenses that are necessary for meeting your learning objectives. The study trip is not intended to support travel to festivals, conferences, or other meetings, but is intended to be an educational opportunity for you to learn operational practices through exposure to a peer organization.

The staff and board of Zygote in Cleveland, OH visit Artist Image Resource in Pittsburgh, PA for a NAMAC-supported study trip.

Evaluation Criteria

Each year's grant cycle differs, but in general, Organizational Planning Support applicants will be evaluated based on the clarity of information provided in the application form with particular emphasis on: a) a strategic rationale for why it’s important to engage in the proposed project(s) now, and b) on articulating the anticipated increase in the organization’s effectiveness.

For Study Trip Support, applications will be evaluated based on the clarity of the learning goals, the fit of the mentor organization, and the detail provided in the proposed itinerary.

NAMAC seeks to support a diverse set of types of projects, as well as support a diverse array of members with regard to organizational size, mission focus, and geographic location.

Learn More and Apply for a 2013 Capacity Building Support Grant Here!

Talk to Us

If you have questions about NAMAC's Capacity Building Support Grants, please contact Program and Member Services Manager, Aggie Ebrahimi Bazaz at (415) 431-1391 x302 or by email: aggie (at) namac.org