Capacity Building

Capacity Building

Here at HFL, we believe that healthy nonprofits are key to building healthy communities. Supporting the organizations that provide key programs and services to La Porte County residents is part of our community investment model. That’s why we are so passionate about capacity building—helping organizations grow, improve, and become more effective in advancing their missions. Capacity building is all about strengthening a nonprofit’s ability to do its work well, whether that means training staff, improving technology, developing leadership, or creating long-term plans for success.

Nonprofits work hard to meet community needs, but they often face challenges like limited resources, outdated systems, or a lack of strategic support. By investing in capacity building, we help organizations become more sustainable and resilient. When nonprofits have the tools and skills they need, they can make an even bigger impact—now and in the future.

A significant way we support capacity building is by providing educational opportunities for La Porte County nonprofits. We offer quarterly workshops, share helpful resources, and support participants in programs like Jumpstart, a one-year fundraising opportunity designed to strengthen financial sustainability. Much of our educational programming is guided by feedback from local nonprofits—through surveys and conversations, we identify key areas of need and tailor our offerings to provide the most value. Jumpstart came about this way. In 2022, we surveyed our La Porte County nonprofit partners and learned fundraising was a large area of need. This led us to find and partner with Bonterra and support an initial cohort of 17 leaders in the Jumpstart program. The second HFL-supported Jumpstart cohort will begin the experience in spring 2025.

Collaboration is at the heart of our capacity building approach. We listen to our nonprofit partners, respond to their needs, and work alongside them to strengthen our community together. We’re here to provide support, share knowledge, and explore new opportunities that help organizations thrive.