Building Capacity While Staying On-Mission
At Nafasi Fund, we believe that work deeply rooted in community — especially efforts led by people with lived experience in the issues they address — deserves more than just funding. It needs tools, meaningful connections, and a strong foundation to grow while staying true to its mission. As a trusted partner for emerging social ventures, Nafasi Fund helps leaders build sustainable organizations without compromising their core values.
Beyond the Basics: Building True Capacity
For many grassroots organizations, “capacity building” is often seen as a set of technical skills: writing stronger grant applications, producing detailed financial reports, or following standardized evaluation guidelines. While these skills are important, real capacity building goes deeper. It involves creating structures and processes that reflect an organization’s unique culture, leadership approach, and community priorities. It also means growing in a way that supports both long-term health and the well-being of the people doing the work.
Staying True to Your Mission, Every Day
For social ventures and community-based initiatives, the need for funding can sometimes push even the most mission-driven organizations to shift focus to fit a funder’s priorities. Staying mission-aligned requires intentionality and a willingness to ask, “Is this opportunity right for us?” instead of just “Can we do this?” Mission-driven organizations focus on partnering with funders who share their values, measuring success based on community impact (not just organizational size), and creating feedback loops that keep staff, leadership, and the community engaged in decision-making.
Strategies for Staying Mission-Aligned While Growing
- Make Decisions That Reflect Your Values
Clearly define your values and use them as a guide for decision-making about programs, partnerships, and funding. - Measure Impact in Ways That Matter to Your Community
Move beyond traditional metrics and work with your community to develop evaluation methods that highlight lived experiences, storytelling, and qualitative impact, in addition to numbers. - Collaborate for Back-Office Support
Consider shared administrative services or fiscal sponsorship to access professional infrastructure while keeping leadership rooted in the community. - Develop Leaders from Within
Invest in training future leaders, distributing decision-making power across teams, and creating leadership pathways that reflect the diversity of your community. - Prioritize Wellbeing as a Key Strategy
Foster a culture that values rest, professional growth, and balance—recognizing that long-term change is driven by healthy, well-supported people. - Ensure Accountability to the Community
Establish advisory groups or community councils to provide feedback, ensure transparency, and uphold cultural and mission integrity.
At Nafasi Fund, we know that many of the leaders we work with are from communities historically excluded from traditional philanthropy. We are committed to changing that by supporting leaders who prioritize community voice, cultural authenticity, and equity in their work. By focusing on mission alignment and the wellbeing of those driving change, we help organizations not just survive but build lasting power and resilience.