Policy Brief

Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) are critical institutions in any community’s organizational landscape. CBOs administer government financed goods and social services to meet the needs of the community. They also play important roles in building community capacity and delivering critical services to individuals, families, and community members. CBOs led by Black, Indigenous and Other People of Color (BIPOC) often have additional duties as first responders. They address social and health crises as well as ongoing inequities in communities that are experiencing marginalization and disinvestment.

While CBOs are crucial for the longevity of communities in the US, they often lack the time, resources, and staffing to successfully carry out organizational development or capacity building activities needed to enhance efficiency (operational and program) and effectiveness. These activities include: program planning and implementation; goal setting, professional and talent development; and evaluation. Despite their unique and vital contribution to the CBO landscape, BIPOC-led and serving CBOs typically receive less funding and have fewer opportunities for organizational development assistance than predominantly or historically white CBOs.

Through culturally grounded organizational development and empowerment, BIPOC-led and serving CBOs can become more efficient and effective. In the CBO space, enhancing operational functioning and financial stability for BIPOC CBOs would improve the overall impact of these organizations, while supporting their capacity to address social and health equity crises, including systematic racism in the social sector. To achieve this end, BIPOC CBOs must be developed and properly funded in ways that allow them to keep their own organizational culture and the cultural norms of the community they serve.