Fair Chance

Fair Chance strengthens local community-based organizations in communities affected by racism, discrimination, and poverty. We focus on building trusting relationships, addressing racial equity gaps, and improving outcomes for children, youth, and families through:
+transformational capacity building,
+peer learning and convenings,
+partnerships with funders, and
+advocacy with policymakers.
Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every child has a fair chance to succeed.

Since 2002, we have supported over 200 nonprofits in the Greater Washington region, impacting more than 150,000 children, youth, and families. Our aim is to ensure that grassroots nonprofits remain strong, sustainable resources in their communities for years to come.

We carefully select high-potential, youth-serving nonprofits in areas where up to 45% of families live in poverty. These nonprofits become our Fair Chance “partners,” receiving comprehensive expertise and management assistance at no cost. We also connect them to a network of alumni partners, fostering collaboration and resource sharing. Additionally, we advocate alongside and on behalf of our network of nonprofits for policies and practices that support a thriving nonprofit sector.

Fair Chance believes in the transformative power of neighborhood-based organizations. Our nonprofit partners are deeply embedded in and trusted by their communities, sensitive to both major changes and subtle shifts, such as spikes in violence or school closures. We provide these organizations with the comprehensive capacity building and resources they need to be sustainable and to expand their reach with effective programming.

Working closely with each partner, we develop a customized work plan across eight areas of organizational competency: Financial Management, Leadership Development, Fundraising, Program Evaluation, Human Resources, Board Development, Outreach & Communications, and Planning & Strategy. We are committed to enhancing the knowledge, confidence, and skills of each Executive Director. No other organization in the region supports youth- and child-serving nonprofits in this critical, holistic manner.

The Fair Chance Approach:
Fair Chance seeks to provide a "fair chance" to promising nonprofits embedded in communities impacted by racism, discrimination, and poverty. Through a rigorous outreach and selection process, we identify and select an annual group of nonprofit leaders ready to take their organizations to the next level. We provide FREE customized support, delivering:
• An assessment on organizational strengths and challenges based on effective practices;
• A unique work plan to make progress towards stronger practices and systems;
• A skilled local capacity builder with whom each partner develops a collaborative and long-lasting relationship;
• Coaching, training, regular check-ins, and independent work on the key competencies of high-performing nonprofits; and
• Access to an alumni network and additional services post-partnership.

Fair Chance also works with philanthropy, government and other nonprofits to advocate for fair compensation for nonprofit workers and many other issues important to nonprofits.

Fair Chance is well positioned to meet our goals and our work is distinctive in the following ways:

+ An Amazing Team of Capacity Building Specialists. With a combined total of over 100 years of experience and expertise in nonprofit management and organizational development, our full-time Capacity Building Specialists are highly skilled, culturally responsive, and understand the local nonprofit and philanthropic landscape;

+ Demonstrated Results. We have results that show our work with nonprofits has an impact on their growth and sustainability. We are committed to monitoring and measuring our partners’ progress over time through pre & post assessments and annual surveys that measure organizational growth and sustainability. On average, within five years of receiving a Fair Chance Partnership, alumni nonprofits more than double their budgets and number of children served;

+ The Spirit of Partnership. We refer to the organizations we work with as partners, not clients, because our programs are built on mutual learning, sharing, and trust;

+ A Long-term Commitment to our Nonprofit Partners and their Sustainability. We offer 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 firmly believe in the axiom "once a Fair Chance Partner, always a Fair Chance partner." We also champion better government policies and philanthropic practices that benefit small, community-based nonprofits and create more equitable communities;

+ Commitment to Racial Equity. Fair Chance is committed to racial equity, as a component of our philosophy and values, within our programs.