Take your organization to a whole new level with the GAIN Team
Are you a non-profit that wants to increase its capacity to meet the needs of the people you serve?
In rapidly-growing communities across the Calgary area—and especially in the current economic climate—many non-profits are feeling the strain of trying to keep up with the demand for their valuable services. With limited budget to hire more staff or consultants, building the capacity of your current staff is a sustainable and cost-effective solution.
United Way’s Group for Assisting and Improving Non-profits (GAIN) Team is a volunteer group of highly-skilled private and public sector leaders with a passion for building the capacity of non-profit organizations and turning business challenges into growth opportunities. These volunteers focus on five key areas to increase the overall sustainability of your organization:
- Board Governance Assessment and Supports
- Strategy and Business Plan Renewal
- Financial Planning
- Leadership Coaching
- IT Assessment
“The GAIN Team created a thought-provoking, practical learning opportunity that was immediately transferrable to the strategy and leadership of our organization.”
Using their corporate experience to offer a new perspective, The GAIN Team can partner with your organization to leverage its strengths and assets to meet the evolving needs of our community—completely free of charge. We share the goal of building a resilient and caring community where everyone thrives, and are invested in taking every opportunity to ensure people receive the supports and services they need.
For more information on how the GAIN Team can help your organization, download our brochure or speak with your United Way staff liaison.
Get involved
Interested in working with the GAIN Team to build capacity in your organization? Want to offer your leadership skills, knowledge and time as part of the GAIN Team?
Other capacity building opportunities, tools, and resources
Grants:
- The Calgary Foundation, Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (CCVO), Propellus, and The City of Calgary FCSS provide capacity-building grants to non-profit organizations in Calgary.
Free Seminars and Toolkits:
- KPMG partners with United Way to build capacity in the non-profit sector. KPMG’s Not-for-Profit Seminar Series addresses the operational and accounting issues currently facing charitable organizations.
- United Way’s Capacity Building Self-Assessment Toolkit was created through an analysis of Peter York’s work at TCC Group and is comprised of best practices in organizational effectiveness. The toolkit is used as part of United Way’s funding review process and is now available for agencies as a self-assessment tool to identify strengths and opportunities in the following areas:
- Legal educational films—available through Pro Bono Law Association—offer helpful legal advice to non-profits. Watch them on their YouTube channel.
Building the Capacity of Your Board:
- Gahlinger Consulting Inc. partnered with United Way to create the following tools to help your organization build the capacity of its Board and Board Chair.
What is Capacity Building?
- United Way of Calgary and Area – Capacity Building Definitions
- Capacity Building for Financial Management
- Capacity Building for Governance – A Literature Review
- Capacity Building for Organizational Effectiveness
- CentrePoint Non-Profit Management’s HR PLUS Final Report
- Program Design – A Literature Review of Best Practices
- Program Design – A Practical Guide
- Program Design Example: Employment and Life Skills Program at Making Changes Association