1. The purpose of the Intensive Services (IS) Capacity Building Program is to support the creation of stronger,
more resilient community-based nonprofit organizations to serve the greater Pittsburgh community effectively
and meaningfully. The IS Program helps them improve internal management, governance and leadership,
cultivate strategic community linkages, and develop financial, technical and human resources for long-term
stability. We pride ourselves for our use of innovative and dynamic strategies to increase the efficiency and
effectiveness of the organizations in the program.
Major funding for the Intensive Services (IS) Capacity Building Program is provided by the United Way of
Allegheny County (UWAC) with additional support from BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania
and McAuley Ministries.
Program Evaluation
In the fall of 2013, at the request of the United Way, PACE contracted nationally recognized consulting firm
TCC Group, to conduct an external evaluation to establish the degree to which the IS program’s capacity-
building goals were being achieved. TCC and Algorhythm collaborated in this evaluation employing a mixed
methods design including a bench review of internal PACE documents, interviews with PACE participants and
administration of TCC’s Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT) to PACE participants. CCAT scores of the
participants were compared to a national database of comparable nonprofits. Findings were presented using
the lens of TCC’s Four Core Capacity Model, comprised of the following capacities: Leadership; Adaptive;
Management; Technical and Organizational Culture.
Findings
• High-scoring PACE participants improved the capacities they set out to improve.
• The capacity with the highest number of “Challenging” scores was Technical.
• High-dosage organizations—those that have completed multiple grant cycles with PACE, are inclined to do
better on the CCAT.
• TCC analyzed CCAT scores show organizations scored well on Adaptive Capacity, particularly the
Organizational Learning Subcapacity.
• Organizations scored well on many areas of Management Capacity, notably Financial Management and
Managing Program Staff.
• On average, organizations received scores of at least “Satisfactory” on Organizational Culture.
TCC’s analysis of best practices in the field of capacity-building recommends that capacity-building programs
provide responsive, relevant, and learning-focused support. PACE’s activities are in-line with those best practices
as evidenced by the following:
• PACE’s IS program promotes positive and open relationships between funders and participants.
• PACE’s IS program fills a unique niche in local capacity-building.
• Evaluation findings indicate that PACE participants are experiencing capacity improvements where we
would expect to see them.
Recommendations
Since the support PACE provides is in line with best practices, it should continue the following practices:
• Target capacity-building to the areas of the most need.
• Connect organizations that do well in areas with those who are not doing as well.
• Conduct outreach to nonprofits and funders to communicate the PACE niche and the metrics on PACE’s
effectiveness.
Findings also indicate that the PACE IS program occupies a distinct niche, but that some nonprofits are unaware
of the efforts of capacity-building organizations in the area.
PROGRAM TO AID CITIZEN ENTERPRISE (PACE)
2014 Intensive Services Program Evaluation
To view the entire PACE Evaluation or the Executive Summary, please visit: www.pacepgh.org
Program to Aid
Citizen Enterprise
Two Gateway Center
Suite 1700
603 Stanwix Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-562-0290
Fax: 412-562-0292
www.pacepgh.org