Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Program Impact Study, FY 2006-2008, United States

The Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) program conducted a study of the financial and technical assistance (TA) provided by intermediary organizations and the effects of those services in improving the organizational capacity of the faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) they assist. The goal of the study was to assess whether the CCF program was meeting its primary objective of improving the organizational capacity of FBCOs. The study sample was the entire population of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) that applied for assistance and were determined eligible by the ten intermediary organizations awarded CCF Demonstration Program grants in the 2006 grant cycle. In total, 455 organizations completed the baseline survey and 385 completed a version of the follow-up survey. Survey questions were categorized into topics including organization profile, financial management practices, funding sources, human resource practices, organizational governance, technological equipment, and level of community engagement. Questions included the purpose for which the organization was applying for assistance, whether the organization was religious or faith based, the organizations primary service areas, how the organization measures effectiveness, total expenditures for the year, whether the organization previously applied for funding, sources of revenue, and whether the organization participated in grant writing workshops. Other questions included a head count of paid and volunteer staff, the number of organizational leaders, the level of involvement of organizational leaders in staff development, the level of staff participation in training and development opportunities, the activities of the Board of Directors, whether or not there was sufficient technological equipment to meet organizational needs, and how the organization has reached out to the community.