Sustainability explained through animation

Strengthening non-profit organizations

I really do believe that major change should start at the micro level. What I mean is that effecting change should begin by strengthening the capacity of our non-profit organizations which form the critical part of a blueprint for community development. Regardless of the economic slump, there’s a dire need to decipher ways to improve NGOs by identifying effective approaches to capacity building.


I myself is an active supporter of a Georgia-based non-profit organization for environmental sustainability and I have witnessed some erosions happening in its infrastructure. But all of which show points weaknesses which the organization has been focusing on. Funding tops the NGO’s priority list. The relationship between organizations and grantmakers is hinged on their trust and confidence to the capacity of an organization. The funds should be adequate enough to support programs for both the community and the organizational infrastructure. Second on the list are resolving leadership and pipeline issues. NGOs expect their charismatic leaders to support stronger peer networks and member engagement so as to reduce risk for leadership turnover and burnout.


Also on the priority list of the Georgia-based non-profit organization are capacity-building efforts which are culturally suitable and sensitive. I had worked as an energy analyst in a large firm in Atlanta and I encountered customers which had varying views about sustainable energy. Some of them believe that there was some sort of profiteering happening in the sustainable energy frenzy while some remain close minded on the idea that the world’s deteriorating and we can’t stop that. One thing I learned is that we, particularly the people from the NGOs, should engage with others in a more culturally competent and language-proficient manner while taking into consideration the people who don’t buy the kind of belief we pursue.