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Shape Our Inaugural State of Capacity Building Report

A field-wide effort to understand how capacity building is funded, accessed, and experienced – and how we can strengthen it together.

Led by Catalyst Exchange, a national nonprofit supporting 1,500+ organizations

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Why This Matters

Nonprofits are facing rising demand, constrained resources, and a rapidly shifting landscape, often without the infrastructure they need. At the same time, funders lack a clear, shared picture of capacity needs, gaps, and what’s working. This effort begins to build that missing, field-wide evidence base, grounded in both nonprofit and funder perspectives.

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Help Build a Clearer Picture of What’s Working

We’re gathering perspectives from education and youth development nonprofits and funders. We’re asking for one response per organization, and the survey closes Friday, May 15th.

By participating, you ensure your experience is part of the record. The challenges and opportunities organizations face aren’t isolated. They reflect broader patterns that only become visible when enough nonprofits and funders name them together. Your input will help answer critical questions about where capacity needs aren’t aligning with funding priorities, who can access support, and what’s actually working to strengthen organizations over time. This is the start of a year-over-year evidence base to shape more aligned, effective decisions, investments, and policies.

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Introducing the State of Capacity Building Report

This report will:

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Map how capacity building is funded, accessed, and delivered
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Bring together nonprofit and funder perspectives
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Surface gaps and misalignments
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Turn insights into action

How This Works

Your perspective helps build a clearer picture of capacity building across the sector.

Step 1

Share your perspective

Step 2

Field-wide data is analyzed

Step 3

Insights are synthesized

Step 4

Report published

(Fall 2026)

Who Should Participate

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Nonprofit Leaders

Group 40968

Funders

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Capacity Builders

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Field Partners

Leaders

Nonprofit Leaders

Share your experience to help highlight real capacity needs and challenges.
Funders

Funders

Offer your perspective to uncover gaps and better align funding with nonprofit needs.
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About Catalyst Exchange

We’re a national nonprofit helping mission-driven organizations build the capacity they need to achieve lasting impact. We connect leaders to expert support, trusted providers, and flexible funding.

1-Aug-21-2025-05-51-28-9291-PM
$27M

Deployed via Wallets for Capacity Building

Foundations channel funds directly to projects that support grantees and the broader sector in strengthening their organizations and increasing impact.

2-Aug-21-2025-05-52-21-5696-PM
94%

of Projects Met or Exceeded Goals

Organization-reported outcomes show strong success across projects in diverse support areas.

3-Aug-21-2025-05-52-33-6451-PM
2100

Requests for Expert Support

Schools, public agencies, and nonprofits turn to Catalyst for expert guidance on challenges in education and social sectors

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Share Your Perspective for a Stronger Sector

Takes ~20 minutes • Responses inform Fall 2026 report

This report is the foundation for:

Clearer understanding of real needs
Better alignment between funding and practice
More resilient organizations