Nehemiah Launches Inaugural Capacity Building Training Cohort
In September 2022, the Nehemiah Charitable Fund introduced its first capacity building initiative specifically designed for Black-led organizations (BLOs). In partnership with Pacific Western Bank, the Capacity Building Initiative for Communities of Color (CBICC) Training Series was developed to address the critical need for capacity building and to enhance funding opportunities for Black-led and Black-serving organizations within the Inland Empire Region.
This initiative represents the first of its kind to combine training and funding to empower Black leaders and advance leadership development. Five nonprofit organizations were selected to participate in a four-month pilot program, which includes comprehensive training on organizational and programmatic subjects. Workshops are led by subject matter experts who deliver instruction in key areas such as board governance, financial management, fundraising, and human resources.
Many small grassroots organizations serving marginalized communities of color struggle to secure funding for essential programs. Most Black-led organizations (BLOs) either close within three years or cannot expand due to chronic underfunding, often operating on minimal budgets. This recurring issue largely stems from philanthropic disinvestment and a systemic racial funding gap compared to White-led organizations.
The CBICC Training Series represents a significant advancement in black philanthropy within the region, integrating principles of racial equity, capacity building, and leadership development. Distinct from conventional capacity building training programs for nonprofits that concentrate exclusively on instruction, the CBICC Training Series offers both training and financial support to facilitate capacity building initiatives, which are essential for organizational growth. Participants organizations that successfully complete all eight workshops will each be awarded a $10,000 grant funded by Pacific Western Bank.