Our first ever membership drive directly resulted from a volunteer attending a presentation given by BCMS.  That presentation, was the first that utilized our new digital projector which was purchased using this grant from the Erie Capacity-Building Collaborative.  The rich visuals that the digital projector provides are an indispensable resource when presenting our programming to an audience.  You can talk about teaching an underprivedged child how to sail, or bulilding boats and sailing with blind children, but the pictures of them with an ear-to-ear smile at the helm of a racing sailboat, or paddling a boat they built with their own hands, speaks much louder.  Our membership roster grew by over 33% after that single event. 

Richard Eisenberg, Executive Director
Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies
www.bayfrontcenter.org

Join the Erie Capacity-Building Collaborative!

The Erie-Capacity Buliding Collaborative, a project of the Greater Erie Community Action Committee (GECAC) in collaboration with The Nonprofit Partnership and Erie Weed and Seed, is pleased to announce the release of applications for its 2009 capacity-building grants program.  All faith-based and community-based grassroots organizations providing a social service in Erie County are encouraged to apply.  

What is "capacity-building?"

Capacity-building is a term used widely in the nonprofit sector to describe efforts to increase knowledge and translate that knowledge into effective practice.  For example, an organization may choose to conduct a technology assessment in an attempt to build capacity.  The results of the assessment could be used to plan and budget critical technology equipment and services.  These improvements will have a positive impact on the organization's ability to meet its mission and ultimately increase its impact on the greater community. 

What is ECBC?

Erie Capacity-Building Collaborative (ECBC) provides capacity-building grants, training and technical assistance opportunities to local community-based and faith-based organizations committed to increasing their sustainability and effectiveness.  Services target five critical areas of capacity building:  leadership development, organizational development, program development, revenue development strategies and community engagement.  

ECBC is a multi-year program through which organizations can receive hands on training and support and between $5,000 and $50,000 to strengthen management and governance capacities.  Funding for direct services is not eligible under this initiative.

Grant Eligibility

Organizations with a social service focus in Erie County and an annual operating budget less than $500,000*  are eligible to apply for the capacity-building grants and one-on-one technical assistance.  Priority is given to those organizations who serve:   

 - The homeless or elders in need;

 - At-risk youth;

-  Families in transition from welfare to work; 

-  Persons in need of intensive rehabilitation, such as addicts or prisoners;

-  Organizations providing marriage education and preparation services for couples choosing marriage for themselves. 

Additional priority is given to organizations that have historically not received funds from the federal government. 

Designation as a 501 (c)(3) is not required. 

Organizations with an annual operating budget in excess of $500,000 can be considered with proof of extenuating cicumstances that necessitate the need for capacity-building assistance. 

Interested in participating?

Free capacity-building workshops will begin May 20th.  Please check back for a complete list of offerings.  

For more information on ECBC workshops or grants, contact Technical Assistance Planners, Jeremy Bloeser jbloeser@gecac.org or Amanda Brown Sissem asissem@gecac.org or by telephone at 814-459-4581 Ext. 448.

Funding for the Erie Capacity-Bulding Collaborative is provided in part by:  

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