**Summary of The Smart Communications Podcast
Episode 191: Why Should Funders Invest in Grantee Communications Capacity?
Release Date: July 23, 2025
Host: Ali Damieu
Guest: Brittany Dinovelis, Capacity Building Program Manager, T. Rowe Price Foundation
Produced by: Big Duck

1. Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

In Episode 191 of The Smart Communications Podcast, host Ali Damieu welcomes Brittany Dinovelis from the T. Rowe Price Foundation to discuss the foundation's capacity building program for nonprofits. Brittany brings over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector and has been instrumental in developing professional and organizational development opportunities for nonprofits in Baltimore and beyond.

2. The Genesis of the Capacity Building Program

Brittany explains that the foundation’s commitment to capacity building was significantly influenced by events in 2017, including unrest in Baltimore and the appointment of a new foundation President, Dr. John Brothers. She states:

“Dr. Brothers really had this sort of expanded vision of how we could assist nonprofits... you could also help the organization invest in its own learning and its own capabilities” ([01:48]).

This shift from purely transactional grant-making to a more supportive, capacity-enhancing approach aimed to strengthen nonprofits' strategic and operational foundations.

3. Understanding Nonprofit Needs: Gathering Feedback and Data

A cornerstone of the foundation’s approach is actively listening to and engaging with the nonprofit community to identify their needs. Brittany outlines multiple methods the foundation employs to gather input:

• Feedback Surveys: After each capacity-building event, nonprofits are asked to complete surveys to provide immediate feedback on what worked and what didn’t ([05:30]).
• Annual Capacity Building Surveys: These surveys target the entire network to gauge broader needs and trends.
• State of the Sector Reports: Utilizing tools like the Impact Capacity Assessment Tool (ICAT), the foundation assesses various capacities within nonprofits, such as resource generation and marketing.

Brittany emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making:

“We try to keep that feedback loop going... it's about listening to what nonprofits are telling us they are struggling with” ([05:30]).

4. Programs and Initiatives for Capacity Building

Responding to identified needs, particularly in resource generation and marketing, the foundation has developed several key programs:

• Local Design Fest:
  A collaborative event with the Maryland Institute College of Art, this one-day "design-a-thon" brings together designers and nonprofits to address specific design and marketing challenges. Brittany describes it as:

  “A great one day intensive learning opportunity for everybody” ([10:35]).

  Nonprofits receive tangible assets like logos, branding kits, and website wireframes, while designers gain insights into nonprofit operations.

• Workshops and Webinars:
  In partnership with Big Duck, the foundation offers webinars on topics such as social media strategy, audience engagement, and donor communication. These sessions serve as introductory touchpoints leading into more intensive cohorts or coaching sessions.

• Cohort Programs and Coaching:
  Following initial webinars, nonprofits can join cohorts for deeper dives into specific skills. Additionally, free coaching is provided to help implement learned strategies, fostering a relational rather than transactional partnership.

5. Measuring Impact and Success Stories

Assessing the effectiveness of these initiatives relies on both quantitative and qualitative feedback:

• Net Promoter Scores (NPS):
  Post-event surveys often include an NPS to gauge participants' willingness to recommend the offerings. Brittany notes that the scores are predominantly positive, reflecting high satisfaction levels ([15:34]).

• Tangible Outcomes:
  Direct results from events like the Design Fest include the rollout of new logos and marketing materials that nonprofits actively use. Brittany shares:

  “From Design Fest we've seen... this logo's out in the world or this collateral has gone out and it's being used” ([15:34]).

While long-term impact stories are still emerging, immediate feedback indicates that nonprofits value and utilize the resources provided.

6. Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement

Brittany highlights the foundation’s strategy to maintain a diverse mix of offerings throughout the year, ensuring continuous engagement:

“We want to have a continuous mix of both webinars, cohorts and in person activities” ([13:28]).

This approach allows the foundation to cater to different learning preferences and stages of nonprofit development, effectively acting as a funnel to draw in organizations and offer progressively deeper support.

7. Advice for Foundations Building Capacity Programs

In concluding the discussion, Brittany offers practical advice for other organizations looking to develop capacity building initiatives:

“Start small, test, do like you would any other program, and continuously improve upon that” ([17:10]).

She emphasizes the importance of:

• Listening to Nonprofits: Continuously engage with the community to understand their evolving needs.
• Avoiding Redundancy: Ensure that offerings complement existing resources rather than replicate them.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Be willing to adjust programs based on feedback and changing circumstances.

Conclusion

Brittany Dinovelis provides valuable insights into how the T. Rowe Price Foundation strategically invests in nonprofit capacity building. By prioritizing listening, data-driven decision-making, and diverse, responsive programming, the foundation effectively supports nonprofits in enhancing their communications and resource generation capabilities. This episode underscores the critical role funders can play in strengthening the nonprofit sector beyond financial grants.

Notable Quotes:

• Brittany Dinovelis [01:48]:
  “...you could also help the organization invest in its own learning and its own capabilities and have them sort of be able to identify what things they need for themselves...”

• Brittany Dinovelis [05:30]:
  “We try to keep that feedback loop going... it's about listening to what nonprofits are telling us they are struggling with”

• Brittany Dinovelis [10:35]:
  “A great one day intensive learning opportunity for everybody”

• Brittany Dinovelis [15:34]:
  “From Design Fest we've seen... this logo's out in the world or this collateral has gone out and it's being used”

• Brittany Dinovelis [17:10]:
  “Start small, test, do like you would any other program, and continuously improve upon that”

For more insights on nonprofit communications and capacity building, visit Big Duck's website.