An Overview
Deaconess Foundation firmly believes that organizations—as well as funders—need to make capacity building a priority. In order for agencies to be able to sustain high-quality programming, a strong infrastructure must be in place.
Since August 2004, the Foundation has been working with Deaconess Impact Partners on a broad range of capacity-building topics.
Below are links to capacity building resources and material we have developed or used during this initiative.
Capacity-Building Resource Bank Index
Building a Strong Board
BoardSource is a resource for practical information, tools and best practices, training, and leadership development for board members of nonprofit organizations worldwide.
If you currently serve on a board, or are considering serving on a board, this is a comprehensive list of the essential information you will need to know. This list contains detailed answers to some of our frequently asked questions.
Board Café is the electronic newsletter exclusively for members of nonprofit boards of directors. Short enough to read over a cup of coffee, Board Café offers a menu of ideas, information, opinion, news, and resources to help board members give and get the most out of board service.
BoardLinkStL introduces talented, interested, and informed individuals from diverse backgrounds, willing to share their enthusiasm and expertise serving as members of boards to nonprofit organizations ready to take their boards to the next level. BoardLinkStL utilizes a web portal for creating profiles, matching, and access to resources on nonprofit governance.
Media Strategies 101: Learn how to get your nonprofit in the media. Click here for presentation made to Deaconess Impact Partners by former Fleishman-Hillard executive. Media Strategies 101 (
Powerpoint Document / 72 K)
How to Choose a Consultant: Detailed guide for how to choose and what to look for in a nonprofit consultant.
Research and Data on Children in St. Louis Region
Overview of Children’s Health in St. Louis Region, 2005, click here.
Nonprofit Lobbying and Advocacy
Lobbying 101 for Nonprofits. For full presentation from the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest which details how your nonprofit can lobby and advocate for its needs, click here Lobbying for Nonprofits 101 (
Powerpoint Document / 264 K)
National Capacity-Building Organizations