ACAM :: Operating Support

Excellence in Service: Capacity Building

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THE GROUNDWORK FOR GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY: ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENTS
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ACAM members participate in organizational assessments focusing on several key areas including, but not limited to, financial management, board leadership, human resources, fund development, technology, thrift stores and program services. Members use these assessments to discover their strengths and weaknesses as a springboard to build their capacity.

ACAM uses Nine Elements of Organizational Capacity with indicators of achievement for each element. Through a partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), ACAM has adapted the CapMap® (Capacity Mapping) tool to assist in the assessment process.

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MAKING IT HAPPEN: GRANTS TO IMPLEMENT CAPACITY BUILDING PLANS
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Using the information learned in the assessment process, ACAM members create and submit capacity building plans to ACAM as part of an RFP (Request for Proposal) Process. By providing grants specifically for capacity building, ACAM supports participating ministries as they focus on long-term strategies. Ministries can also draw from professional development funds to support staff and volunteer training. Over $1 million has been granted to the ministries to advance one or more of the Nine Elements of Organizational Capacity, resulting in:

New leadership capacity

Engaged in strategic planning
Conducted board retreats
Reviewed by-laws & board structure
Gained new knowledge & skills through recognized leadership programs

Enhancement of social enterprise operations

Participated in analysis of thrift store productivity
Increased store revenue
Developed business plans
Instituted staff changes

Boosted infrastructures

Implemented IT upgrades to improve service delivery and reporting
Developed client/donor/volunteer databases
Revamped websites
Created new policies & procedures handbooks

Strengthened support base

Increased congregational giving
Added covenant congregations
Increased volunteer hours & support
Became active in local business & civic groups
Received funding from new sources

These investments in capacity building resulted in service enhancements such as:

Increased food pantry services; expanded grocery delivery services
Increased numbers of children served through back-to-school programs
Addition of mental health, parent education & healthcare navigator services onsite
Expanded service units & service hours

ACAM STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
Through its literature and presentations, ACAM is committed to educating the community about acceptable standards of practice for ACAM members. ACAM highlights members who complete organizational assessments and advance to higher levels of service and leadership and also notes national certifications that have been achieved by our members.
ACAM identifies ways to support community assistance ministries (CAMs) in meeting accountability standards on an ongoing basis. This may include activities such as: providing mentors of seasoned executives, identifying areas in need of growth, providing support through the ACAM office and encouraging other capacity building organizations to provide training.

BEST PRACTICES IN SERVICE DELIVERY
By sharing service data and protocols, ACAM members can identify which program service delivery models are most effective and then work to develop and adopt them as best practices. In addition, ACAM pilots new practices at a few member sites in order to share the new knowledge and replicate successful models at other member sites. Interested funders have the opportunity to test new approaches through a special Request for Proposals (RFP) process. A contract evaluator then monitors and reports on the outcomes of the projects and their potential for becoming best practice models.