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Technical Assistance

Beyond Numbers and Compliance: Valuing Cultural Diversity in National Nonprofit Capacity-Building Organizations
By Catalina Vallejos Bartlett (2003)
(Current Needs; Philosophy and Method)

According to Bartlett's report for the 2003 inaugural Alliance member newsletter ENHANCE, even as most organizations avoid overt discrimination and claim to value diversity, a further look at flagship organizations in the nonprofit sector shows that they do more than minimally comply with employment laws and social pressures to be respectful of diversity. For the six representatives interviewed for this article, including four executive directors, issues of cultural diversity definitely transcend legal compliance in Washington, DC-based national nonprofit infrastructure organizations." This account documents "a blend of formal and informal policies and practices that help shape the organizational culture at staff, board and program levels," and the "values, as well as complex challenges, which have driven ongoing efforts to create and sustain a diverse workforce and inclusive organizational culture."

Building Capacity for Policy Change: The Racial Justice Lens
By Makani Themba-Nixon, The Praxis Project (2004)
(Philosophy and Method; Public Policy; Racial Equity/Justice)

As Themba-Nixon writes, "By engaging in capacity building with a racial justice lens, we develop a contextual analysis that allows us to construct the power landscape, challenged by an inability to see the communities' assets or understand the power dynamics at play.  Oftentimes, when we 'capacity builders' talk about communities of color, the conversation immediately focuses on needs and deficits." Her analysis points to a frequent emphasis on problems and needs when capacity builders focus on communities of color. This view leads to diminished funding and capacity building that starts from a deficit perspective, as compared to an understanding that communities of color "have led and nurtured national and international movements, catalyzed sweeping policy changes and created lasting institutions that continue to shape 'mainstream' practice." Though she offers cultural competency as a way to improve group dynamics and understand the history, the author also warns against over emphasis on cultural identity, versus a "landscape perspective."

Nonprofit Management Association Diversity Project
By Jan Masaoka (1996)
(Consulting Opportunity; Racial Equity/Justice; Capacity Building)

NMA did this study to design a program for increasing diversity among technical assistance providers, especially at management support organizations (MSOs). A diverse project team looked at career paths, obstacles to finding work with technical assistance organizations or maintaining a consulting practice, processes that nonprofits use to seek and secure technical assistance, and roles played by ethnic-specific MSOs as compared to generalized MSOs in the same geographic area. While recognizing diversity based on various identities that may be subject to discrimination (ability, gender, race, sexual orientation, status), the project team agreed to focus on racial/ethnic diversity. Research included five focus groups of consultants of color, an MSO leaders focus group, and 25 interviews across the field. Major conclusions: (1) Efforts to increase diversity must address "supply side" and "demand side"—informal networks for referrals, consultant rosters for nonprofits seeking assistance, and financial resources for growing a practice. (2) MSOs, though not well positioned at the time to offer diversity of consultants through staff, could act as change agents in nonprofit communities through referrals, technical assistance, and connecting with funders.  Ultimately, intent, awareness, and access must come together. The report suggests a program design, identifies funders with compatible interests, and shares anonymous quotes from consultants, MSO executives, and funders.

Race Matters Toolkit
Published by The Annie E. Casey Foundation (2006)

The Race Matter Toolkit offers a range of resources to support organizational decision makers, community advocates, and nonprofit support providers in being systematic to achieve racial equity. Persistent barriers to opportunity and results can be made visible, understandable, and subject to change. Tools include a conversation starter - how to talk about "race," plus guides organizational assessment and community-building strategies.

The Utilization of Nonprofit Consultants of Color in the Greater Milwaukee Area
Published by the Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Center for Economic Opportunity (2004)
(Consulting Opportunity; Racial Equity/Justice)

Through the Lens of Culture: Building Capacity for Social Change and Sustainable Communities
Published by National Community Development Institute (2003)
(Historical Background; Capacity Building; Social Change)

Communities of color experience both a tremendous need for and a lack of access to quality technical assistance and capacity building services. Ultimately, as communities develop their skills for self-determination, the long-term value of these kinds of interventions is significant. This report explains the background and methodology of a culturally-based approach, which helps communities in moving toward self-determination. The emphasis is on building organizational and institutional capacity in communities of color and other communities who have traditionally lacked such access. As the paper explains, different skills are needed to be culturally-based than the skills identified with being proficient in technical aspects of capacity building work. Culturally based technical assistance ensures that community residents lead their own change processes; that consultants come from or have extensive, well-received experience in the communities they serve; and that communities are left with the tools and resources to continue their own transformation and growth process after the intervention is completed.

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