Purpose

Neighborhood Services administrates a capacity-building program for community and faith-based organizations. This initiative is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Human Services.

Formally known as the Strengthening Communities Fund, the City’s program is designed to deliver technical assistance to social service providers and community organizations in need. Currently, we have collaborated with any number of organizations ranging from established non-profits to local neighborhood associations. The technical assistance is structured to enable the organizations to better help themselves, and in turn better serve their clients. As such, there is a heavy emphasis in organizational development in nearly every facet of the program.

Our capacity building assistance takes many forms. Current programming includes understanding financial and accounting practices, marketing, volunteer management, human resources, and many more. These are but a few areas in which local organizations have demonstrated gaps in knowledge or are practices they are unable to effectively implement. The City of El Paso’s non-profit capacity building programs provides these organizations the tools they need to master these practices.

Furthermore, Neighborhood Services understands that a community’s well-being is just as important as the strength of its social services. Recognizing this, the City also provides technical training to minority entrepreneurs who seek to do business with the State of Texas. Through a provision in state administrative regulations (known officially as Historically Underutilized Businesses), minority business owners are able to receive advantages in the procurement process. Business receiving such training (and eventual certification) have an increased opportunity to be awarded contracts for goods and services from state agencies and municipalities.

Interested non-profit organizations, service agencies, and other community and faith-based organizations are encouraged to participate in our on-going programs. All services are provided free of charge and occur throughout the year.

For more information about the City of El Paso’s Capacity Building Program please contact:

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