Capacity Building

Learn about some of our capacity building projects, the services we provided, and their impact.

Adding a new field building function to a direct service organization

A long-standing, nationally respected $7M direct service nonprofit wanted to explore adding a field building aspect to their work in response to field demand. Their leadership team sought support in making decisions about whether and how to build out such a function internally.

Services provided 

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Advising

Sustained Support

Knowledge Building

  • Advising and thought partnership with senior leadership

  • Team learning sessions and retreats

  • Field needs synthesis

  • Assessment of organizational assets and growth areas

  • Feedback on funder materials, staffing plans, and internal processes

  • Facilitated design sessions to select priorities and scope projects

Impact

The organization’s leadership team moved forward with a deeper understanding of what field building entails and how to incorporate it into their internal systems. They selected a set of priorities and project concepts for their field building work based on an assessment of field needs, funder interests, and the organization’s internal assets. They arrived at a clearer picture of initial staffing and organizational development priorities to expand their capacity to engage in field building. Within six months of the engagement, they had met their targets for hiring, fundraising, and understanding and buy-in within their organization.

Selected writings, workshops, and talks 

Series of briefs on strategy and organizational development lessons learned for field building organizations (published by Student Experience Research Network; 2025):

An Inside Look at the Partnership Between Funders and Field Catalysts. The Bridgespan Group (2025).

Field Catalysts: The Versatile, Essential Tool Missing from Philanthropy’s Systems Change Toolbox. The Center for Effective Philanthropy (2023).

“Strategic Collaboration: A Bold Path for Equity, Impact, and Sustainability.” NewSchools Venture Fund panel at Grantmakers for Education Annual Conference (2025).

Field-building lessons learned from Student Experience Research Network, presented to:

  • Search Institute (2021)

  • Raikes Foundation (2023)

  • Gates Foundation (2023)

Lessons learned from sunsetting Student Experience Research Network, presented to boards and organizational leadership considering closures and other types of organizational transitions (confidential).