What We Do
Fair Chance strengthens local community-based organizations across communities impacted by racism, discrimination, and poverty.
We do this through four key services
Build Capacity
We provide a range of capacity building programs to meet the needs of community-based nonprofits. We developed and use an evidence-based approach that has led to proven results.
Partner with Funders
We partner with private and corporate funders to develop customized capacity building programs or one-off services for their grantees. We also advise funders on partnering with community-based organizations to amplify their impact.
Convene the Sector
We convene nonprofits, philanthropy, and other partners for connection, learning, and collective action.
Advocate for Change
As founder of the Coalition for Nonprofit Equity, we advocate alongside partners for local policy change to strengthen Washington, DC’s nonprofit sector. We also mobilize and support community-based organizations to advocate directly with policymakers.
Our Impact
Our capacity building methods lead to proven results. We know this because our own data as well as a 2022 independent evaluation have shown graduates of our programs grow their revenue, reach more children, and strengthen their practices.
Our Approach
- A Spirit of Partnership. We refer to the organizations we work with as partners because our programs are built on mutual learning, sharing, and trust.
- Our Capacity Building Specialists. With a combined total of over 100 years of experience and expertise in nonprofit management and organizational development, our Capacity Building Specialists are highly skilled, culturally responsive, and understand the local nonprofit and philanthropic landscape.
- A Long-Term Commitment to our Nonprofit Partners. We offer our nonprofit partners ongoing training, referrals to resources, an online community forum, and opportunities to continue to learn, share, and grow as part of a supportive peer network. We also champion better government policies and philanthropic practices that benefit small, community-based nonprofits and create equitable communities.
- Demonstrated Results. We are committed to monitoring and measuring our partners’ progress over time through pre- and post-assessments and annual surveys that measure organizational growth and sustainability. On average, within five years of participating in a Fair Chance Praxis Partnership, alumni nonprofits more than double their revenue and the number of children served.
OUR VISION
We are working toward racially equitable communities where every child succeeds.