Catalytic Capacity-Building Sessions
In 2024, the Foundation partnered with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital to offer a series of seven capacity-building trainings for nonprofits looking to strengthen their organization. Sessions, which were led by local subject matter experts, ran from August through the end of the year and were free of charge and open to the public. Topics included engagement and equity; legal and risk management; revenue building; data, reporting and impact; communications and public relations; governance and board development; and self-care/preventing burnout. Each session drew more than 100 registrants, and those who participated earned digital badges and credentials they could use to document their learning.
“We wanted to create meaningful opportunities for local nonprofits to grow their capacity. What we offered was based on conversations with funded partners and needs we identified in our previous funding round,” Foundation Senior Grants and Program Associate Olivia London said. “Using local subject matter experts familiar with our community helped tailor the capacity-building sessions to local needs while also highlighting the expertise that exists in our community.”
Sessions List:
Engagement and Equity in Your Work with Delquanda Turner Smith, PhD candidate: This session offered a high-level understanding of equity within professional practices, paired with practical application for meaningful community engagement. Participants explored strategies for building inclusive partnerships, leveraging diverse perspectives, and earning trust.
Legal and Risk Management with Tamara Felton, Esq.: This session aimed to provide nonprofit professionals with essential knowledge and strategies for navigating legal and risk management. Participants gained insights into key legal considerations, compliance requirements, trademarks, copyrights, intellectual property, and best practices for mitigating risks within nonprofit organizations.
Walking the Walk with Equity Work with Dawn Hunter, J.D.: This session focused on fostering a supportive workplace culture within nonprofit organizations. By prioritizing the well-being of staff, promoting self-care and wellness, and using an equity lens internally, nonprofits can enhance employee satisfaction, retain staff, and have greater impact advancing health equity.
Data, Reporting, and Demonstrating Impact with Dr. Keesha Benson: This session provided nonprofit professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively collect, analyze, and utilize data to drive decision-making, improve program outcomes, enhance organizational effectiveness, meet reporting requirements, and showcase impact. The session also provided an overview of organizational profiles in Candid and the importance of reporting demographic data for your nonprofit. Organizations who completed a profile in Candid gained free access to the Foundation Directory provided by Candid.
Governance and Board Development with Charlie Imbergamo, CFRE: This session was designed for nonprofit professionals seeking to recruit and develop board members who will effectively strengthen the organization and offer strategic leadership and oversight. Potential board members were also encouraged to attend to learn more about the importance of their role and gain the knowledge to enhance board governance practices.
Funding Your Organization: Grantwriting and Generating Diverse Revenue Streams with Dr. Stephanie Reed: This session familiarized nonprofit professionals with the knowledge and skills to establish robust and sustainable funding for their organization. Participants learned to create funding strategies that may include grant writing, fundraising, social enterprise, and more. The course covered grant writing basics, project budget creation, grant research, and how to select the most appropriate opportunities. Participants learned strategies to increase efficiency, find more ease, and achieve greater return on investments in grant application processes. Additionally, this course covered sources of revenue beyond grants that can bolster funding and lead to long-term sustainability.
Communications and Public Relations with Anysia McDowall, CFRE: This session was designed to provide nonprofit professionals with the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to develop and implement effective communications and public relations initiatives. Participants learned how to leverage various communication channels to engage stakeholders, build awareness of their organization and programs, and advance the organization’s mission.