Chesapeake Capacity: Defining What's Possible
UPDATE: The survey is now live! Email Drew Robinson at RobinsonAQ@nwf.org for a link to the survey.
The survey is open through December 3 and all individuals who complete the survey by the end of the day on Tuesday, November 23, are eligible to win one of three prizes which include scholarships to attend the Alliance's Watershed Forum and the Coalition's Choose Clean Water Conference, tickets to the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, and a free ice cream party for your home or office!
Hundreds of nonprofit organizations throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed are working to protect and restore the Bay and its rivers and streams. And among these organizations, there is a wide array of capacities. By "capacity," we mean the ability of an organization to fulfill its mission. Does it have access to the tools, technical expertise, systems, resources, and relationships to deliver its work most effectively?
With the 2025 deadline looming to have all pollution reduction practices in place as part of the Bay's restoration effort, funders want to understand the needs and capacity gaps within the clean water nonprofit organizations throughout the Bay watershed. Strategically identifying these needs and gaps will help funders take our work for clean water to the next level. But how are we going to do this?
The Choose Clean Water Coalition and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, in collaboration with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, are conducting an assessment to establish a baseline understanding of the capacity of nonprofit organizations working to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. The first part of this assessment is a comprehensive survey.
This week, the Coalition and Alliance will email this survey to its members. This is a great opportunity to tell funders, loud and clear, "This is where we need help!"
And who should take this survey? The short answer: everyone! We are intentionally seeking a wide array of feedback—from program staff, to organization leadership, to Board members. These varied perspectives will help us paint a clear picture of the overall capacity needs in our community. All answers are confidential and we will only review the results in aggregate.
The survey will address an organization's capacity in the areas of stormwater management, agricultural practices, and habitat restoration. It will also address an organization's capacity to deliver its programs effectively, adapt to change, and engage with surrounding communities.
But we can't do it without you. Widespread completion of the survey is crucial to understanding the needs and capacity gaps of our community. Stay tuned for your inbox this Thursday, October 21 and send any questions or comments to the Coalition's Drew Robinson at RobinsonAQ@nwf.org or the Alliance's Jenny McGarvey at jmcgarvey@allianceforthebay.org.
Kristin Reilly is the Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition