Small nonprofits are on a survival treadmill

Power Station

Small community based nonprofits are some of the most powerful change agents in America. They solve for inequities in education, childcare, mental health, and other needs in communities that have been marginalized by racism, discrimination, and poverty. These nonprofits are underestimated by national foundations and their accomplishments are underreported by the media. In this episode of Power Station, Gretchen Van der Veer explains how Fair Chance, the organization she leads, partners with small community based nonprofits in Washington DC, whose budgets are often less than $500,000, to strengthen their sustainability and impact. It has flipped the conventional model of capacity building, which imposes fixes to perceived deficiencies and instead partners with groups to create a plan for reinforcing their organizational systems, from fundraising to board development and financial management. These interventions, once assessed, validate the theory that a robust infrastructure produces greater benefits for the children, youth, and families these nonprofits serve. Local and regional foundations that fund small community based nonprofits are essential supporters of equity. Fair Chance is singular resource that invests its time, expertise and commitment to organizations that go all-in for their communities. Gretchen Van der Veer is an exceptional changemaker.