Building Blocks for Growth

The White House Project (TWHP) is a national nonprofit organization that uses multi­platform programs to advance women's leadership in all communities and across sectors—up to the U.S. presi­dency—by filling the leadership pipeline with a diverse, critical mass of women. Now at a pivotal point in its organizational lifecycle, TWHP requested a Capstone team to gather information about the organization's capacity to expand its pro­grammatic reach. To help TWHP under­stand its growth potential, the Capstone team first compiled and reviewed program survey data to develop an alumnae track­ing instrument and analyzed the organiza­tion's financial condition. Then, the team compiled a variety of growth strategies and best practices through an environmental scan and included recommendations for an “incubator model” of expansion. Finally, the team provided a general list of indicators of successful growth and obstacles for TWHP to consider when undertaking expansion. The Capstone team intends for the report to enable TWHP to develop the financial requirements and operational strategies necessary to facilitate growth as the organization seeks to reach more women across the country and have a greater influence nationally.