Improving capacity and capability – some real life examples

Activities to improve your capacity and capability are those which increase your ability to do something. Whether that’s doing more, or doing it better.

This is no ’one way’ of doing this – everyone will have a different approach based on their specific needs.

In the last few years, we’ve engaged various external specialist to help develop our organisation. For example, a safeguarding consultant reviewed our practices, helped us rewrite policies, upskilled staff and co-created a road map for continuous improvement.

More recently, we worked with a design agency to develop our visual identity following an in-house brand review. At present, we’re seeking a digital consultant. And for many years we’ve worked with a firm of chartered accountants to support our finance processes.

Being able to work with qualified and experienced experts means we can learn from others, increase our networks and grow our own skills at the same time. 

How should we measure progress?

Evaluation is an important part of learning and development. But when you’re thinking about tracking change, keep your plans simple. Try and work with data you already have. Only introduce new forms of data collection if they have long-term value beyond the scope of the grant.

The outcomes builder in Part 1 of our Plan, Do, Review guidance has a list of outcome indicators and data collection tools to help you to measure progress towards organisational outcomes. But the specifics of what you collect will be dictated by what you want to do.

• If your proposal relates to financial sustainability then levels of income, reserves, and your cashflow position could all be useful metrics.
• If you a running a digital project, then data analytics will be vital. Arts Council’s Digital Culture Network has a range of resources to help you make the most out of your data.
• Perhaps you are seeking an accreditation or kitemark? Achieving this is evidence in and of itself.
• If your proposal aims to improve an area of your operations, then the opinions of your staff, board or stakeholders are important. Annual staff and stakeholder surveys that ask the same question over a few years can be a good way of tracking change.

Still not sure?

There are many ways that the Youth Music Recharge Fund can support your organisation to grow, adapt and recharge in the aftermath of the pandemic. We hope these examples sparks some ideas. If you’re still not sure, have some honest conversations with your staff team and the young people you work with. Speak to peers for tried and tested solutions. And keep on reading for more support or resources.

Are there other helpful resources available?

• If you are D/deaf or Disabled and need support to make an application, you can apply for up to £900 via our Access Fund. Click here to find out how to apply for access funding.
• In our experience, good planning makes a compelling application. We’ve put together a list of additional resources and websites to help you further think through your proposal.
• Finally, we have developed a simple management accounts template for organisations that don’t already have one.