Understanding experiences with capacity building in the sport for development context

ABSTRACT Sport-for-development organizations (SFDs) require capacity to meet their goals and sustain their programming. However, capacity building may need to be imagined differently from other nonprofit organizations, given the distinctiveness of the SFD context. Using Millar and Doherty’s (2016) process model of capacity, we analyze the capacity-building process in an SFD context through a network of organizations engaged in a structured capacity-building program, seeking to understand the role that nuances in the context play to enable and/or constrain from the capacity-building process. Data collected from focus groups, individual interviews, field notes and workshop document(s) revealed that existing human resources capacity and passion for the cause both enabled and constrained capacity building. Furthermore, the burden of building capacity for sport and capacity for developing programming problematized the process. This suggests that capacity building in an SFD context is not a one-size-fits-all proposition and that organizations can benefit from tailored capacity-building initiatives that meet individual needs. HIGHLIGHTS Existing organizational capacity and passion for the cause both enabled and constrain capacity building in a sport-for-development context. The dual burden of building capacity for sport and capacity for development programming problematizes the capacity-building process. Capacity building in an SFD context is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, and organizations can benefit from more tailored initiatives.