The Foundation Core Capacity Assessment Tool (FCCAT) is an online, statistically validated assessment measure that TCC Group has developed to help foundations make sense of their institutional capacity strengths and challenges. While various tools exist that measure nonprofit capacity (including TCC Group's own Core Capacity Assessment Tool, or CCAT, which has helped over 4000 nonprofits build their capacity strength), comparable measurement tools are lacking for foundations that wish to reflect on their own institutional capacity. The FCCAT has been developed to address this gap, responsive to our foundation clients' expressed interest and informed by our rich history of work in foundation strategy, governance, operations, and capacity building assessment. The FCCAT is appropriate to foundations of all shapes and sizes, provided they have a minimum of three grantmaking staff to ensure confidentiality and quality analysis. Send any questions or comments to FCCAT@tccgrp.com.

1. Prepared by:
The Foundation Core Capacity Assessment
Tool (FCCAT)
Orientation
Webinar

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Agenda
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1. Overview of the FCCAT
2. FCCAT Process
3. Frequently Asked Questions
4. Question and Answer

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Overview of the FCCAT

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• The Foundation Core Capacity Assessment Tool, or FCCAT, is
a rigorously-designed tool that gathers the independent
perspectives of internal stakeholders to measure capacities
critical to a wide variety of foundations.
• It is informed by TCC Group’s experience in working with a
diversity of foundations on strategy, operations, and
evaluating capacity-building initiatives foundations have
developed for their grantees.
• It is not a report card, and represents a snapshot in time.
What Is the FCCAT?

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Participants will rate the foundation’s capacity in a variety of areas,
including but not limited to:
• Grantmaking Strategy, Process, and Skills
• Evaluation
• Board Leadership
• Staff Energy and Balance
• Leader Vision and Strategy
• Environmental Learning
• Creating Foundation and Grantee Networks
• Managing Conflict
What Does the FCCAT Measure?

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• The FCCAT is designed for grantmaking foundations,
including independent, family, community, and corporate
foundations.
• You must have a minimum of three qualified participants to
take the survey. This includes individuals with strong
knowledge of the foundation’s management and
operations. Some individuals should be familiar with
grantmaking processes.
• There is no upper limit on participants.
Who Should Take the FCCAT?

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• Online, hosted on SurveyMonkey
• ~175 items (statements)
• Same scale for all (strongly disagree to strongly agree)
• Items are generally action/behavioral statements
• Foundation scores are based on aggregated, anonymous
responses to items.
What Does The FCCAT Survey Look Like?

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• Yes – there are nine basic background questions we
ask all foundations to fill out.
• TCC Group will email these questions to the key
contact at your foundation and you can email
responses back to FCCAT@tccgrp.com.
Are There Background Questions?

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• Once all foundation respondents have completed the FCCAT,
TCC Group will close the survey, generate your report, and
send it to your Organizational Lead.
• The report will suggest how to interpret your foundation’s
results.
• It will show your foundation’s aggregated scores for different
capacities and highlight items (statements) where the
foundation scored the highest and lowest.
• It will also highlight which (if any) scales had significant
variance, i.e. where there was a wide gap between how
individuals rated that scale.
What is in the Report?

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FCCAT Process

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• Step 1: Complete the Registration Chart and send back to
FCCAT@tccgrp.com.
• Step 2: Look for an email with your unique FCCAT link. Take
your own FCCAT survey; confirm that everyone in your
foundation’s group received their unique links.
• Step 3: Send your background information to
FCCAT@tccgrp.com.
• Step 4: Make sure that everyone completes her/his survey.
This is necessary to receive your customized report.
Organizational Lead Instructions

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• Use Internet Explorer in compatibility view, Firefox, Chrome,
or Safari
• Taking the FCCAT survey on your phone is not
recommended
• It takes approximately 45 minutes; it does not have to be
completed in one sitting
• Skip questions if you do not know the answer, or if it is not
relevant to your organization. Your foundation is not
penalized for any questions skipped by respondents.
Tips for Taking the FCCAT

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• How big does my foundation need to be to take the
FCCAT?
Answer: There is no minimum staff or asset size, however you must
have at least three qualified participants.
• Can board members take it?
Answer: The tool assumes day-to-day familiarity with the working of
the foundation. If you have board members that fit that, you are
welcome to include them. However, the FCCAT is not designed as a
governance tool.
• Can we take the FCCAT on the portfolio or program level?
Answer: Yes, and if you have a very large staff this may make more
sense. Contact FCCAT@tccgrp.com if you would like more
information.
Frequently Asked Questions

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• You are encouraged to reference this presentation as you
proceed with taking the FCCAT
• More information on the FCCAT can be found at
http://www.tccccat.com/foundationCCAT
• For further assistance, please contact:
FCCAT@tccgrp.com
FCCAT Assistance

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Question and Answer

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