Trying to find the definitive definition for capacity and capacity-building across the many, many articles, books, and blog posts on the topic is a frustrating task. There are more and less reputable sources, but it seems like just about everyone with an opinion on nonprofits has weighed in at some point about what capacity is, what capacity-building is, and what is the best way to go about building capacity. And now we’re going to add to that confusion by writing this blog post about our definition!

On the plus side, our definition isn’t really ours—we’re going to take it from other sources, since they’ve already taken the time to think through a great way to phrase these concepts. Instead of trying to use different words to express the same concepts for the purpose of being original, we chose to go through a mountain of existing definitions and pulled out the ones that made the most sense for us, and for our mission.

How we define “capacity”

The definition for capacity that we use comes from Dr. Sheila Murphy, a professor in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University. She defines capacity as “the level of an organization's capability to deliver services that not only satisfy present community expectations, but continually anticipate future opportunities.” This definition aligns strongly with the Vision Statement of The Capacity Lab, where we aim to build an “exceptional nonprofit sector in Chautauqua County that produces transformational impact, leading to a thriving community where every person’s needs are met.” We look to measure the capacity of our local nonprofit organizations through their ability to interact effectively with community needs, align with upcoming opportunities, and maintain sustainability throughout.

How we define “capacity-building”

The definition for capacity-building that we use comes from the United Nations, who look at it as “the process of developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt, and thrive.” We want our nonprofits to feel confident as they grow and scale, in their capabilities and resources and connections. The Capacity Lab is meant to be the partner that can help smooth the path towards the development and strengthening of those necessary attributes.

A holistic view of capacity-building

What we like about these definitions is that they are encompassing of the full community that is served, and that will see the benefits – that the idea of capacity-building is more holistic than just the impact that an individual organization receives. We certainly intend for our capacity-building to give organizations more tools and more confidence, but there is always an overarching goal of improving our communities and making our area more livable and comfortable for all our residents and visitors. Also, both of these definitions focus on both current success and setting the stage for future success, of looking ahead and planning for organizations that will continue to thrive down the road. Any solutions that we come up with are intended to be sustainable, not just temporary fixes that address the current moment.

These definitions of capacity and capacity-building help to guide and structure the work of The Capacity Lab, but ultimately our focus comes from the nonprofits themselves. We rely on our partners to share their insight and experience about what the current needs are, where resources are lacking, and what processes could be amended or changed to create a smoother path forward.

What do you think of these definitions? Are we spot-on, or is there something more that we should be thinking about as we plan the way forward? Let us know—we always welcome more conversation!