Evaluating Capacity Building: 8 Key Learnings from the ILSS Fundraising Program Evaluation
Evaluating capacity-building programs isn’t just about measuring progress—it’s about understanding the depth of transformation. Much like planting a seed, you don’t see the full impact immediately. But with the right conditions, the roots of change grow deep, and the results often exceed expectations.The ILSS Fundraising Program, designed to sharpen the fundraising skills of nonprofit professionals, offered us a wealth of insights. Here’s what we uncovered about how to truly measure the success of capacity-building initiatives.
1. Context is key
Every organisation is its own ecosystem, and just like in nature, no two are the same. One-size-fits-all simply doesn’t work in capacity building. Larger organisations, with established processes, might seem like towering trees, while smaller nonprofits are more like seedlings—both grow, but at their own pace and in their own way. By segmenting and analyzing participants based on key factors, we were able to understand how these unique contexts shaped outcomes. For instance, newer nonprofits showed remarkable adaptability, while established organizations capitalized on strengthening existing structures.
2. Differentiate short-term wins from long-term growth
In the world of capacity building, it’s tempting to celebrate the quick wins and call it a success. But as any gardener knows, sprouting isn’t the same as flourishing. Early victories—like improving donor management or crafting tailored pitch decks—gave participants the confidence boost they needed. Yet, the true transformation, such as securing unrestricted funding or achieving financial stability, took time. To fully understand the program’s impact, we needed to look beyond the surface and track both the initial signs of growth and the long-term health of the ecosystem. Follow-up evaluations are crucial, providing insights into how participants’ growth evolves over time and how internal processes become more sophisticated.
3. Keep the flame alive
The real value of a capacity-building program often emerges post-program, when participants apply what they’ve learned. It’s essential to maintain engagement with alumni to ensure sustained impact and continuous growth. For ILSS, this meant creating strong alumni networks and opportunities for participants to remain connected through refresher workshops and online forums. These ongoing touchpoints are critical for keeping participants motivated and applying their skills long after the program ends.
4. Evolve to stay relevant
A program that stays static is destined to lose relevance. Successful capacity-building programs must evolve with their participants. While we often talk about the importance of innovation, what we learned from this evaluation is that adaptation is just as critical. Gathering feedback through surveys, interviews, and informal check-ins allowed ILSS to adjust course in real-time. This flexibility ensured that the program wasn’t just delivering content—it was co-creating a learning journey that responded to participants’ changing needs.
Capacity-building programs aren’t just about measuring progress—they’re about nurturing deep, long-lasting transformation.
5. Measure what matters
Numbers are important, but they’re only part of the story. It’s easy to get lost in tracking metrics like funds raised, but real capacity building is about transformation—cultural shifts, strategic thinking, and long-term resilience. We saw this in how leadership teams began prioritizing fundraising and allocating time and resources toward it. This wasn’t just an operational shift; it represented a fundamental change in how organisations approached their missions.
6. Expect the unexpected
Capacity-building programs often have surprising effects—both good and bad. Being open to these surprises helps identify unplanned but valuable outcomes. For example, in this evaluation, we discovered that some participants, though initially focused on fundraising, ended up driving broader organizational strategy changes, which was an unexpected yet positive outcome. Keeping an eye on these unintended consequences helped understand what truly drives success in complex programs.
7. Dig deeper with stories
While data can show trends, qualitative insights reveal the “why” behind them. Stories of change provide depth and context. In this evaluation, we balanced statistics with stories from in-depth interviews with participants and fundraising experts. These stories helped us understand not just what changed but why it changed. Hearing from participants about how their confidence grew over the program’s course gave us insight into how soft skills were developed, which wasn’t immediately evident from the quantitative data.
8. Influence the sector
Capacity-building programs like the ILSS Fundraising Program have the potential to drive broader change beyond individual organisations. By helping participants adopt better fundraising practices, the program also influences sector-wide norms. Many participants went on to share what they learned with peers or other organisations, acting as thought leaders and driving broader sectoral trends. This ripple effect showcases the importance of evaluating not just individual success but how a program can catalyse wider change.
Evaluating capacity-building programs like the ILSS Fundraising Program requires more than tracking metrics; it demands a dynamic, context-driven approach. By digging deeper, staying adaptable, and focusing on both short- and long-term outcomes, we can ensure that these programs foster innovation, resilience, and leadership across the sector. The journey doesn’t end with the program—it’s just the beginning.
Author:
Payal Jain
CEO, Populi Consulting
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