Helping good organizations grow

At the core of the Center for Community Change is our work -- one-on-one and in groups -- with community-based organizations around the country.

Over the years we have learned that the key to an organization's success -- whatever it chooses to do -- is how well it functions.

• Does it truly represent its community?
• Is it dominated by one person?
• Is the board strong?
• Are new leaders moving to the top?
• Are the books kept up?
• Is it clear about what it wants to do?
• Does it have a solid fundraising plan?

Thus, our staff -- many of whom managed community organizations before they came to CCC -- devote much time to "organizational development." Exactly how we do this depends on the organization's needs and priorities. The goal is to build a strong organization with effective leaders that will thrive when we begin to do less.

“CCC has been involved in absolutely every aspect of what we have done,” states Jeff Gibney, director of the South Bend Heritage Foundation, a community-based group that has built more than 220 units of housing and two community centers in this Indiana city. “They helped us plan our work. Train our staff. Stabilize our funding. Develop our housing work. And the thing is, they haven’t done these things ‘for’ us but ‘with’ us. They train and counsel us. But they don’t do it for us, which has helped us become independent and capable.”

To inquire about our field work, you may email ta@communitychange.org.

Please note: CCC is not a foundation. The Center does not provide technical assistance or funding to individuals.