Our Mission
Elevate NP is a regional movement of nonprofits, funders, and capacity builders working together to help organizations access knowledge, build networks, and create greater impact in the communities they serve.
Our Vision
We envision a future where the nonprofit sector is powered by a stable, connected, and accessible system of capacity-building resources and supports.
Our Background
It all started in 2023 with a meeting of more than 200 southwestern Pennsylvania nonprofit leaders and support professionals. The outcome? An honest and robust discussion about the challenges and opportunities to uplift the regional nonprofit sector.
Then referred to as the Regional Capacity Building Initiative, the project was created to better understand the capacity needs of nonprofit organizations and explore investments that could systemically strengthen the sector.
A regional scan of capacity building resources revealed:
- A disconnected “patchwork” of regional capacity building services.
- Significant gaps in the types of support offered by existing providers.
- Persistent challenges for organizations seeking to assess needs and identify the right capacity building investments and providers.
- Inequities in the accessibility of services, particularly for small, rural and BIPOC-led and -serving organizations.
The process also resulted in a shared commitment from funders, nonprofit organizations, and others supporting the sector to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania through the investment of time, talent and dollars.
Our Guiding Principles
COLLABORATIVE. The best solutions are built through a community of stakeholders, including end users, working together.
CARING. Participants will listen to and respect all voices and opinions, focusing on trust, open dialogue, and kindness in all interactions.
TRANSPARENT. Participants will promote trust and clarity about the process and its outcomes, extending beyond participants and funders to all stakeholders.
EQUITABLE. Equity, access and inclusion will be at the core of all initiatives and solutions that are developed. Participants will regularly reflect on blind spots and biases that may emerge throughout the process.
PURPOSEFUL. The process will efficiently utilize the time and talents that each participant brings to the table.
IMAGINATIVE. Participants will create space for bold new possibilities and approaches rather than being anchored to how things are or have been in the past.
VALUE-DRIVEN. The initiatives and solutions developed through this process will be relevant and responsive to the needs of nonprofits and their staff, delivering value to the end users, their organizations, and the communities they serve.
Project Facilitation Team
- Kate Sphar, Project Lead
- Kate Freed, Project Manager
- Dorie Taylor, Communications Specialist
- Mary Phan-Gruber, Facilitator
- Rayden Sorock, Project Associate
- Brian Bayer, Project Associate
A Special Thank You to Our
Supporting Funders
What is Capacity Building?
Nonprofit capacity building strengthens and enhances the capabilities, resources, and effectiveness of the sector to achieve missions more efficiently and sustainably. It provides training and support aimed at improving the organization’s leadership, governance, fund development, financial management, operations, human resources, and programmatic effectiveness.