| Report Title: |
Intermediary Profile Report |
| Report Date: |
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Organization Name:
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Foundation for Community Empowerment |
Program ID Number: I-103 |
Date Profile Created:
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December 1, 2005 |
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Program Summary:
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This organization was established to address the economic, self-sufficiency, and civic engagement disparities within the city of Dallas. As an intermediary organization, it works to empower those closest to the problem, focusing on capacity building for grassroots organizations. Emphasis is placed on institutional and systems change, and public policy advocacy that will allow for scalable, replicable models.
The foundation typically first works with a community group to figure out how to help it accomplish its mission, and then provides funding, coaching, and technical assistance to support progress. Those receiving grants and/or technical assistance focus on issues affecting low income neighborhoods. Available financial support includes emergency operating support, capacity building grants, and new program development. The organization likes to seed new programs to see if they will work, and then helps develop long-term funding streams for successful efforts. Additionally, the foundation conducts research that identifies promising practices and informs its funding decisions.
In a project supported by the Compassion Capital Fund, performance standards and measures in 8 areas of organizational capacity were developed, and this has resulted in a system for establishing a baseline and then tracking changes in the capacity of organizations receiving assistance. The software for this approach was completed in the fall of 2005, and results of its use will be available beginning in 2006. The system has been designed to track both efficiency and effectiveness.
A collaborative of funders came together to support capacity-building for community development corporations. The new measurement system is being used to identify needs and track progress with the CDCs. They participated in a 6-month training program, ½ day per month with homework, to learn about their levels of capacity and develop a 3-year improvement plan. The improvement plans will be updated every 6 months. Baseline measures of capacity were taken. Follow-up measurements over three years will track changes in capacity, and show whether help that includes assistance from consultants and operating support leads to increases in outcomes.
While not all groups receiving assistance from this organization go through the entire process described above, all are being asked to use the measurement tool to track changes. A great deal of convening also takes place, e.g. a cohort approach brings 50 groups together for collaborative learning. Additionally, the foundation commissions research from professors at universities – e.g. on equity and education related to school reform - and is focusing on nonpartisan outcomes research and public policy evaluation related to comprehensive community revitalization of low income urban areas.
Among those supporting the work of this organization are: Don & Ellen Williams, Texas Instruments Foundation, Todd Wagner Foundation, Countrywide, Washington Mutual, TXU, Trammell Crow Company, The Dallas Foundation, Meadows Foundation. | |
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| Address: |
2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 3350
Dallas, TX 75201 | | |
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| Date Program Began: |
1995 |
Total Funds Awarded by this Program for Most Recent Fiscal Year: |
$475,000 |
| Date Program Scheduled to End: |
N/A |
Total Administrative Expenses for this Program for Most Recent
Fiscal Year: |
$50,000 | |
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| How Capacity-Building Programs are Operated: |
Run internally by the organization. | |
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| Number Staff/Consultants: |
3/2
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Background Materials Available: |
Yes | |
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| Capacity-Building Work Evaluated: |
In progress |
Evaluation Results Available: |
No |
| Frequency of Evaluation: |
Other |
Type of Evaluation: |
N/A |
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| Geographic Areas Served: |
National: |
No |
International: |
No | |
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| Selected States: |
Texas |
| Geographic Details: |
City of Dallas, focus on South Dallas community. | |
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| Types of Capacity-Building Assistance Offered to Nonprofits: |
| 1. Grants: |
2. Direct Service: |
3. Direct Financial Support: |
Categorical
Part of Larger Grant |
Assessment of service needs
Coaching/training for individual nonprofits
Convening activities
Education/training for groups of nonprofits
Information and referral
Infrastructure for peer networking
Participation in community capacity-building initiative |
Facilities/Equipment Support
General Operating Support | |
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Grants Offered to Capacity-Building Service
Providers and Intermediaries: |
| Support for Services to Nonprofits: |
Yes |
| General Support: |
No | | |
| Grants Offered to Support Overall Capacity-Building Infrastructure: |
| Local | | |
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| Areas of Nonprofit Operations Supported: |
How Funding/Service Decisions Are Made: |
Administration & finance
Fund development
Governance (board & executive leadership)
Staff development & training
Information & technology support
Planning
Evaluation
Communication (internal & external) |
Application by potential recipient – organization selection.
Proactive identification of applicants by organization. | |
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