This blog is the first in a series detailing Learning for Action’s Cohort Based Capacity Building (CBCB) Approach. Stay tuned for Part 2 on the coaching experience of a recent participating nonprofit and Part 3 on how a strategic framework that is a cornerstone for our CBCB approach can also be useful for focusing during uncertain times.
LFA's CZI team at the cohort graduation in Oct 2024: Back row (L to R): Annie Lindsay, Alem Tecle, Tomika Rodriguez, Jack Chin. Front row (L to R): Elba Garcia, Allison Sponseller, Minh Ha
At Learning for Action (LFA), we believe that every nonprofit deserves the tools and support to thrive. Top notch learning frameworks shouldn’t only be for the largest organizations! Our Cohort-Based Capacity Building (CBCB) intensives are designed to help organizations sharpen your team’s learning and evaluation skills and to help shape your desired learning culture. We aim to build learning as a long-term habit within organizations, encouraging you to regularly tend to learning to:
Create and refine quality programs and services;
Develop proof that what and how you do your work is meaningful for communities you serve; and
Build a foundation to attract resources for the things that you do best
Through a combination of interactive workshops and personalized coaching, we provide social sector leaders and teams with the skills and confidence to use data for learning, to fine tune strategic frameworks (like a theory of change), and the essentials for gathering and using data for decision-making.
CBCB Spotlight: From May 2023-Oct 2024, Learning for Action (LFA) partnered with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) to launch a 14-month cohort of 11 nonprofits participating in the CZI San Mateo County capacity-building program. The cohort series integrated group learning sessions and individual coaching sessions to enhance organizations' evaluation and learning practices to drive better program and organizational outcomes.
What is Cohort-Based Capacity Building (CBCB)?
Groups of organizations (the “cohort”) – typically nonprofits who received funding from a foundation or funder committed to supporting activities that help effectively and sustainably fulfill their missions –come together for a period of group learning + personalized coaching + connection to resources and tools.
Participants attend regular interactive convenings (can be virtual or a mix of in-person and virtual, for convenience!) to learn a range of topics for which LFA has expertise and to engage with, and learn from, peer organizations. We frequently focus our CBCBs on evaluation and learning or strategy development.
Nonprofits are then matched with a dedicated LFA coach, to reinforce their learning and dive deep into elements of the curriculum that are most relevant to their organizations’ needs, interests, and priorities.
Pulling Back the Curtain: Demystifying Evaluation & Learning
In one workshop of our evaluation and learning-focused CBCBs, we detail typical barriers for embedding learning and evaluation. The truth is that the barriers vary! For some it may be as simple as “not feeling equipped” or being worried they are “not big or established enough.” For a range of organizations, evaluation and learning can feel daunting—but it doesn’t have to be!
“This type of [CBCB] work is often outside the nonprofits’ day-to-day duties, especially since most have huge missions and small budgets. It is essential work though, as [it] provides context, focus, and clarity for what is done each day.”
LFA works to simplify and demystify facets of evaluation and learning and intentionally delivers a model that accommodates all learners. We value participants as experts on their organizations and the communities they serve. We look for every opportunity to make our own thinking as evaluators and strategists transparent, model our techniques, and ensure that our processes are inclusive and collaborative. Coaches and coachees engage as learners together, exchanging knowledge that helps us help you in support of your mission. We encourage:
● Getting clear on what is meaningful to measure. What’s most impactful for your ultimate impact?
● Equipping your team to use data for reflection and improvement, not just reporting.
● Building practical strategies to integrate learning and evaluation into your everyday work.
Our Secret Sauce: A Tailored Coaching Experience
Our coaching ensures you and your team receive guidance that meets your unique needs. Each organization is paired with an experienced Learning for Action (LFA) coach who works with them in a flexibly developed arc. The “secret”? Our coaches’ abilities to meet their coachees “where they’re at” -- designing, tailoring, and adjusting a goal for the engagement that is relevant and achievable. We’ll be sharing a case study on one organization’s coaching experience in Part 2 of this series.
Ready to Learn More?
If you're a funder committed to supporting and developing the sector or a nonprofit looking to strengthen your organization and wondering how CBCBs might work for you, contact us today at info@learningforaction.com.