PD&R’s new publication Building the Organizations that Build Communities: Strengthening the Capacity of Faith- and Community-Based Development Organizations gathers papers that address the key issues in expanding the capacity of Faith-Based and Community Organizations. Building the Organizations that Build Communities is not intended to be exhaustive, rather this volume documents current thinking on the issue of capacity and a clearer view of the research gaps facing faith-based and community development organizations. The 17 papers are divided into four sections, briefly described below.
Table of Contents (*.pdf, 93.1 KB)
Foreword (*.pdf, 175 KB)
Introduction (*.pdf, 103 KB)
This section provides a historical overview of faith-based and community development as well as related capacity issues and the role of intermediaries. The capacity building concerns related to faith-based community organization are similar to those of secular community organizations.
Section I - Defining The Issues (*.pdf, 423 KB)
Editor's Note (*.pdf, 57.9 KB)
Limitations to Organizational and Leadership Progress in Community Development: An Overview -- Roland V. Anglin and Rolando D. Herts (*.pdf, 131 KB)
Religion’s Investment and Involvement in Community-Based Economic Development: An Overview -- Elliot Wright (*.pdf, 137 KB)
Faith and Mortar: Religious Organizations and Affordable Housing Strategy in Urban America -- Xavier de Souza Briggs (*.pdf, 150 KB)
Strengthening the Street Saints: Intermediaries Providing Capacity-Building Assistance to Faith-Based Organizations -- Amy L. Sherman (*.pdf, 172 KB)
This section includes six papers related to specific issues in capacity building including: the role of employee benefits; long-term organizational capacity; leadership development; and lessons learned from failed CDCs (community development corporations).
Section II. Current Research on Building the Capacity of Community Development Organizations (*.pdf, 608 KB)
Editor's Note (*.pdf, 62.5 KB)
Replacing Passionate Leaders: The Current Challenge for Community Development -- Aida Rodriguez and Nina Herzog (*.pdf, 310 KB)
Building the Capacity of Community-Based Development Organizations: The Case of Community Development Partnerships -- Norman J. Glickman (*.pdf, 151 KB)
Capacity Building: The Case of Faith-Based Organizations -- Michael Leo Owens (*.pdf, 253 KB)
Expanding Organizational Capacity: The Human Capital Development Initiative -- Norman J. Glickman, Donita Devance-Manzini, and Sean DiGiovanna (*.pdf, 121 KB)
Learning From Adversity: The CDC School of Hard Knocks -- William M. Rohe, Rachel Bratt, and Protip Biswas (*.pdf, 136 KB)
This section includes papers related to training CDC workers including: developing leaders; urban ministry training; and broad education and training issues.
Section III. Training and Capacity (*.pdf, 365 KB)
Editor's Note (*.pdf, 62.5 KB)
The Leadership Challenge: Creating an Enduring Organization -- Robert O. Zdenek and Carol Steinbach (*.pdf, 101 KB)
The History and Future of Training and Education for Faith-Based and Community Development -- Joseph McNeely (*.pdf, 201 KB)
Urban Ministry Training and Capacity-Building Programs of Faith-Based Organizations -- David J. Frenchak (*.pdf, 131 KB)
Education and Training for Community Development -- Neil S. Mayer (*.pdf, 192 KB)
This section includes two papers on the role of performance measures including: issues and concerns regarding performance standards and implementing an outcome measure system focused on self-defined goals.
Section IV. The Role of Performance Measures in Expanding Capacity (*.pdf, 181 KB)
Editor's Note (*.pdf, 62.5 KB)
Organizational Capacity: Issues and Concerns Regarding Performance Standards -- Rikki Abzug and Mary R. Watson (*.pdf, 140 KB)
Participatory Outcomes-Based Evaluation: The Success Measures Process and Data System -- Virginia Seitz and Margaret Grieve (*.pdf, 114 KB)
Compendium Summary (*.pdf, 68.1 KB)
The compendium is an excellent primer on building the capacity of faith- and community-based organizations to be successful agents of change in their communities. It will be useful to: community development agencies, foundations and intermediaries, as they consider how best to support community development organizations (both faith-based and secular); researchers, as they consider what research and demonstration programs will enhance the knowledge base of improving the performance of faith-based and community CDC’s; students of community development/urban ministry, as they grapple with important issues early in their career; and directors of faith-based and community organizations, who may be seeking insights on how to sustain their organizations and improve their own efforts in communities.
