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Network of Support 101: 4Culture's Capacity-Building Program

4Culture's Network of Support helps King County cultural and science organizations and Tribes build the structure underneath their work. Here's how it works.

ToyBox Consulting & Management is part of 4Culture's Network of Support, the group of consultants and capacity builders that King County's cultural organizations can draw on. Network of Support is a 4Culture program; the details on this page come from 4Culture's own published materials.

This page follows my LinkedIn series, Network of Support 101, one section per episode.

1. What capacity building means
2. Who Network of Support is for
3. Four kinds of support
4. Every engagement starts with 4Culture
5. Where to find the network
6. What ToyBox does inside it

1. What capacity building means

4Culture defines it in its Network of Support materials as "the generation of resources or support intended to help an organization, Tribe, group, or individual enhance its ability to fulfill its mission or purpose."

In plain terms: the things underneath the programming. The budget that someone besides the founder understands. The board that knows what it's for. The HR policy that exists before you need it.

2. Who Network of Support is for

It serves King County cultural and science organizations and Tribes funded through specific 4Culture programs, including Sustained Support, Launch, Building for Equity and Cultural Support Services Projects.

The idea is simple: when new funding comes in, the organization also gets support to manage it well.

3. Four kinds of support

1. Coaching and mentoring builds the leader.
2. Consultant services build the system.
3. Technical assistance solves the specific problem in front of you.
4. Communities of practice keep you from solving it alone.

4. Every engagement starts with 4Culture

Organizations request support through their 4Culture Program Manager or Cultural Services Liaison, and 4Culture confirms the work before it starts. Then the consultant comes in.

That order is the point. It keeps the hours aimed at what the organization actually needs.

5. Where to find the network

4Culture publishes its selected capacity builders in its Resource Library, ToyBox included, so organizations can see who's in the network and what each consultant does before they talk with their program contact. Look for fit, not just availability.

What ToyBox does inside it

• Strategic planning
• Financial planning and strategy, including financial emergency planning
• Board and leadership development
• Org design and HR
• Communications, marketing and branding
• Coaching and mentoring
• Grant writing

Source: 4Culture, Network of Support Request for Qualifications (4culture.org). Network of Support is a 4Culture program.

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