Funders and philanthropic intermediary organizations are often looking for ways to assess the capacity of a broad swath of nonprofit organizations to inform the Design, Inc. of capacity-building initiatives. Beginning in 2009, Blueprint Research + Design, Inc. worked with the national office of Feeding America to develop and implement a customized member capacity assessment tool (CSAT). This report captures the findings from that work, as well as recommendations for the national office, for members, and for funders. Blueprint Research + Design, Inc. was acquired by Arabella Advisors in 2011.
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In the past, the nonprofit sector has been the major agent for social innovation. However, in recent years, the means to effect social change have expanded to include new actors, funding models, and enterprises. This paper explores the new options available to philanthropists interested in social innovation and provides some recommendations to help funders learn to recognize opportunity and encourage greater collaboration as this ecosystem grows and changes. This report was published with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and produced by Blueprint Research + Design, Inc., which was acquired by Arabella Advisors in 2011.
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This brief explores the world of nonprofit mergers and alliances (M&A) from a donor-focused perspective. As the economic recession continues, funders and nonprofits have looked to mergers and alliances as possible solutions to their financial problems. This brief details challenges, opportunities, and key questions to ask for donors who are interested in learning more about nonprofit M&A.
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Nonprofits are most successful when they can communicate effectively to their target audience. This brief details ways that donors can support nonprofits by investing in communication skills and capacity.
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In 1999, the Community Clinics Initiative (CCI) issued a challenge to California’s community clinics and health centers: explore how information technology can enhance business operations and health care delivery, and make building a modern information technology infrastructure a priority. This paper reflects on how the California community clinic field’s information management capacity evolved over the six years following that challenge. It was published by Blueprint Research + Design, Inc. as part of the report, “Celebrating Technology Advances in California’s Community Clinics and Health Centers,” Community Clinics Initiative, a joint project of Tides and The California Endowment. Blueprint Research + Design, Inc. was acquired by Arabella Advisors in 2011.
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