National Responsible Fatherhood Capacity-Building Initiative

We are currently accepting proposals for our 2008 awards. Click here for proposal submission guidelines. Deadline has been extended! Applications are due February 15, 2008.

Overview

In partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Family Assistance, National Fatherhood Initative (NFI) has designed the National Responsible Fatherhood Capacity-Building Initiative (NRFCBI) to aid grassroots and community-based organizations through a series of capacity-building grants. These grants will empower community-based organizations by developing each recipient’s organizational infrastructure; enhancing its leadership; introducting grantees to new programming recommendations; and by improving each awardee’s connections in the community-at-large. Ultimately, the NRFCBI aims to strategically improve grantees' capacity to provide services to local fathers and families.

The NRFCBI was developed with funds ands support from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Family Assistance. Each 2007 grantee received a $25,000 award to strengthen fathers and families in communities throughout the United States. These unique, one-time awards will be available to more than 85 additional organizations until 2010!

Each 2007 grantee was provided with National Fatherhood Initiative's professional training and technical assistance at the first annual Certification College. Held from May 21-25, 2007 in Indianapolis, IN, this intensive, 40-hour training was provided for leaders representing fatherhood organizations throughout the country.

NFI also operates, on behalf of the Office of Family Assistance (OFA), the federal government’s National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC). Primarily a tool for professionals operating Responsible Fatherhood programs, the NRFC provides access to print and electronic publications, timely information on fatherhood issues, and targeted resources that support OFA-funded Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage grantees. The NRFC website also provides essential information for other audiences interested in fatherhood issues. NFI encourages grantees of the NRFCBI to use the information provided on the NRFC website in their capacity-building efforts. For more information, please visit www.fatherhood.gov.

2007 Awardees

Overall, recipients of this award represent community-based, faith-based and other grassroots organizations—including Head Start organizations—that either have existing fatherhood programs, or are beginning new fatherhood initiatives, in their local communities. These groups are located in cities and neighbohoods across the country.

Click here for more information about these organizations and their programs.

Certification College

Each awardee took part in intensive training sessions highlighting some of National Fatherhood Initiative’s expertise in fatherhood programming. They also had opportunities to plan ahead for their longterm organizational growth and community leadership—and to think through how best to use these resources in the coming months.

Click here to view our agenda & curriculum.

Testimonials

"A very stimulating and worthwhile training. One of the best I've attended in 30 years."

"The information was clearly presented, but the interactions and group work really helped to put it together for me."

"Chris had particular depth and communicated well...[the] story of [his] relationship with his father was wonderful."

"Every piece was vital."

"...overall the conference was very informative and helped us to become more focused on the activities we need to be doing."

Future Opportunities

We are currently accepting proposals for our 2008 awards. Click here for proposal submission guidelines. Applications are due February 15, 2008.

Contact:

Ave Mulhern
Executive Coordinator, National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
capacitybuilding@fatherhood.org
p: 215.659.2022
f: 215.659.1745