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Reimagining Capacity Building by Navigating Culture, Systems & Power

Nonprofits today are stretched thin—navigating staffing shortages, rising demand, and dwindling resources. In this moment of compounding challenges, philanthropy must go beyond technical fixes and embrace capacity-building approaches that address the deeper roots of sustainability: equity, power, culture, and community voice.

This interactive workshop invites grantmakers to reexamine traditional models of support and explore how equity-centered capacity building can lead to more durable, community-rooted outcomes. Participants will reflect on their roles, learn practical tools, and leave with clear, actionable strategies for aligning their work with the realities nonprofits are facing today.

Why This Matters Now:
Many conventional capacity-building efforts fall short because they ignore the structural forces nonprofits must contend with. This workshop offers a chance to retool and recommit—so that the support you offer nonprofits doesn’t just help them survive, but thrive.

Limited Capacity
We’ve intentionally capped participation to create space for deeper connection and candid exchange. Register early to reserve your spot.

Key Learning Objectives:

  • Align capacity-building approaches with equity-centered grantmaking practices.
  • Gain tools to adapt capacity-building strategies for greater impact to today’s realities.
  • Develop actionable next steps to support equitable outcomes in your community through grantmaking.

 

If you can’t make it to DC, GEO can bring a tailored version of this workshop to you! Please reach out to Jaser Alsharhan at jaser@geofunders.org, Director of Programs, to learn more about our Breakthrough Partnership.

By air: DCA is closest to downtown (it’s about 5 miles to the GEO office, which can translate from about 20 minutes up to 45 minutes or more in city traffic). You can also travel from the airport via Metro by taking the blue line train to the MacPherson Square station, which is two blocks from GEO (plan for this to take about 45 minutes). Plan significantly longer travel times to/from Dulles airport.

By train: Amtrak will arrive at Union Station, which is about 2 miles from GEO—usually a 15-30 minute cab ride (or, you can take Metro by taking the red line train to Metro Center, if you’re comfortable walking 0.5 mile to GEO).

By car: If you will be driving, GEO’s building has a parking garage (cost is $12 if in by 10am, $16 after). Please note the garage closes at 7pm.

You are responsible for your own lodging. Options close to the GEO office include:

Many more—the GEO office is in downtown DC, so you should be able to find a nearby option with your preferred brand.

$400 for GEO members

$800 for non-GEO members

 

*Cost includes Breakfast and Lunch

All workshop registrations are non-refundable. No requests for refunds will be granted for no shows. Participants may choose to transfer their registration to a colleague or peer with the same membership level. Transfers must be requested to Joyce Kim McDonough at mcdonough@geofunders.org by September 8, 2025. No refunds will be issued for transferred registrations.

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