Ensuring the organizational effectiveness of our grantees is paramount for the Foundation. We believe that strong programs need strong organizations to implement and sustain them. We see a direct link between building organizational capacity and achieving program impact and, ultimately, our mission. We believe that organizations best equipped to deliver on their missions are those that invest the necessary resources to engage in sound organizational planning, to provide for ongoing board and staff development, and to develop internal systems that are efficient and effective. We also acknowledge that these activities cost money and often can be viewed as luxuries when resources are constrained. Irvine has long supported its grantee partners to become more effective organizations, not for the sake of effectiveness or efficiency alone, but always in pursuit of mission and better service to constituents.

Irvine’s investments in organizations consider the institution's life cycle — whether the organization is in startup mode, a growth stage or well established — and seek to provide support appropriate to its situation.

Specific tactics to build the organizational capacity of our partners include:

• General operating support grants
• Project support grants that include the related costs of maintaining a strong organizational infrastructure
• The Flex Fund: A rapid, invitation-only funding mechanism to award targeted grants for one-time organizational development activities
• Evaluation or research of effective practices

Profile of an illustrative initiative

• The Arts Regional Initiative aims to improve the financial sustainability, management, governance and growth capacity of midsized leading arts organizations outside of the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. In addition to grants to individual organizations, Irvine provides support for networking, peer learning and technical assistance through this initiative. To learn more, read “New Initiative Aims to Boost Leadership Of Regional Arts Organizations ” in IQ: Irvine Quarterly.