Building a Stronger Community: Exploring Change Often's Collaborations and Partnerships Part 3

Empowering Nonprofit Leaders: Strengthening Organizational Capacity

Hello! Welcome to the third installment of our blog series, "Building a Stronger Community: Exploring Change Often’s Collaborations and Partnerships!" In this edition, we invite you to join us as we reflect on capacity building for nonprofits. Capacity building for a nonprofit is like reinforcing a ship for a challenging voyage. The organization is the ship, capacity building is the reinforcement – improving infrastructure, training the crew, upgrading technology, and optimizing processes. It's not just about reaching the destination but ensuring the organization is well-prepared, resilient, and equipped to navigate challenges and seize opportunities along the way.

Change Often recognizes the great work of nonprofit organizations in our communities, so we want to make sure we use our skillset to develop the skills of nonprofit professionals, providing resources and support to enhance their effectiveness in driving social impact. In conjunction with our capacity building services, Impact Partners must have a growth mindset. Change Often’s foundation is the belief in the potential for growth, evolution, and empowerment that resides within each and every individual. It's this belief that forms the cornerstone of our approach to community building and partnership.

The Teacher’s Edge  | Strategic Development and Program Management

The power of “yet.” We’ll grow with you as we make your dreams come true – it’s not impossible, it just hasn’t been done yet.

During an 11-month collaboration, The Teacher’s Edge’s commitment to growth, adaptability, and continuous improvement was highlighted. Change Often played a pivotal role in building capacity within The Teacher’s Edge, navigating them through initiatives such as program development, board recruitment, and action planning. The partnership aimed to elevate the organization’s impact on the community by increasing awareness and connection with educators. 

Change Often's role extended beyond mere consultancy to empowering The Teacher’s Edge with tools, resources, and strategic communication strategies. The Teacher’s Edge and Change Often’s collaborative journey serves as an inspiring case study for nonprofits seeking to infuse a growth mindset into their organizational DNA. By embracing change, seeking strategic partnerships, and proactively addressing challenges, The Teacher’s Edge set a precedent for nonprofits aspiring to cultivate resilience, adaptability, and sustained growth.

Shirley T. Frye YWCA Greensboro | Coordination and Management Support Services for Fundraising and Fund Development

Always desiring to make a bigger impact

In a powerful collaboration with Change Often - Social Innovation Firm, the Shirley T. Frye YWCA of Greensboro embarked on a transformative journey to bolster its mission through the Preserve the Legacy Campaign. Running from January to July 2022, our partnership aimed to educate donors about the YWCA's impact, foster sustainable community engagement, raise funds, and enhance the profile of key staff and board members. Together, we strategically employed major gifts, broad community engagement, and staff/board involvement, yielding impressive outcomes.

The Shirley T. Frye YWCA and Change Often engaged in a multi-faceted approach of embracing challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement. The organization's ambitious fundraising goals and openness to feedback reflect a belief in the potential for growth and improvement. Moreover, the strategic use of innovative tools and establishing more positive partnerships showcased an increase in capacity for the YWCA Team.

HPxD  | Strategic Planning

Believing that you can achieve anything with hard work & dedication.

HPxD became an Impact Partner in April of 2023. HPxD’s vision is for High Point, NC to become the Design Capital of the World where design never goes dark. Recognizing the need for intentional strategic planning to achieve this vision, HPxD partnered partnered with Change Often for the development of a strategic plan. Change Often was able to help HPxD translate their Vision into an actionable plan while at the same time engaging and deepening the involvement of key stakeholders. The strategic planning project with HPxD is a testament to the power of capacity building for nonprofits that employ a growth mindset. 

The inspiring commitment for organizational change and contributing to the cultural and economic revitalization of an entire community demonstrates a growth mindset. Change Often and HPxD believe in the future of High Point. Breaking down silos, prioritizing efficient resource management, and elevating the voices of the community in decision-making processes are demonstrations of the work that can be done with a dedicated Impact Partner and a fearless Social Innovation Firm. 

YWCA High Point | Strategic Planning

Continuously learning & improving -- “We can be better”

The collaboration with YWCA High Point has been aimed at catalyzing growth and impact for the organization. Using a growth mindset to recognize the pivotal role of strategic planning in realizing their mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, a concise 3-year strategic plan was crafted. Taking advantage of the organization’s position for comprehensive growth, capacity was built employing the feedback from key stakeholders, research and data efforts, and the YWCA National vision.

Our partnership with the YWCA High Point helped shape the organization’s vision, and its ability to get there. A recent quarterly pulse meeting to check the progress of the strategic plan revealed the power of growth mindset. A simple shift in perspective of reviewing a quarter demonstrated the progress YWCA High Point made, even during a busy season. Change Often is proud of the work we are able to do with YWCA High Point, equipping them with what they need to help others.

In a world where change is the only constant, a growth mindset is an important vehicle for that change. As a Firm founded on purpose, passion, and an unyielding belief in human potential, our work is essential for organizations to grow and be sustainable. Together, with our Impact Partners, we're crafting a narrative of empowerment, resilience, and enduring change, navigating challenges, redefining possibilities, and charting a course towards a stronger, more vibrant tomorrow.