The words “capacity building” can mean either nothing or everything, depending on your perspective, needs, and experiences.
As capacity builders ourselves, Accelerator for America defines that term as bringing that term means bringing the right technical expertise at the right time, using data to problem solve, seeking evidence-based outcomes, providing additional human resources for time-strapped local staff, and serving as both a convening partner and external validator with key local stakeholders. Capacity building is never about showing up as the outside expert with all the answers, but as a skilled partner who knows how to ask good questions, bring people together, and create the space for communities to discover the solutions that work best for them.
In late 2022, Accelerator for America joined a team led by WSP USA, along with North Carolina A&T University and Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, to become a Capacity Building Team for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s inaugural Thriving Communities Program (TCP) cohort, supporting 14 communities across the country. AFA was named a TCP Capacity Builder again in 2024 and is currently working with 16 communities as part of a team led by COMTO.
The program empowers each participating community with improved capacity and preparedness to advance a pipeline of infrastructure projects and pursue federal funding opportunities. With that goal top of mind, AFA and our partners developed customized work plans and deliverables for each community and supported or advised on U.S. DOT grant applications.
After two years of working together, we surveyed all 14 communities to understand how the Thriving Communities Capacity Building Team supported their priorities and built local capacity.
The Capacity Building Team supported or advised on five successful federal grant applications:
Additionally, the team produced 68 unique, tailored deliverables to the communities, including community engagement plans, funding playbooks, and project evaluation frameworks.
What They Said
One community became “more aware of grant availability and deadlines with the database created by the capacity-building team” and said the team “was instrumental in reviewing and supporting [a federal funding] application.”
Another community noted that participating in the Thriving Communities “significantly increased [their] grant readiness and positioned [them] to pursue large-scale investments that will have lasting impact.”
Many communities identified the Capacity Building Team’s work to foster collaboration amongst varied stakeholders and across sectors as the most transformative component of the program. This included everything from building deeper partnerships between city and county government departments and federal agencies to bringing together disparate local stakeholders to have a stronger community voice in planning for infrastructure and other improvements. Over two years, the Capacity Building Team conducted over 50 stakeholder meetings, walk audits, trainings, and public events to meet individual community goals.
What They Said
“The collaboration was the central part of our process and the need we identified to do early planning as opposed to jumping to a project solution,” one partner noted.
The Capacity Building Team’s role in bringing organizational structure, project management, and high-quality facilitation was critical in advancing progress on local projects.
What They Said
“The assistance on our Reconnecting Communities application was the most impactful part of our Technical Assistance through Thriving Communities,” one regional transportation planning leader noted. “The Technical Assistance process and having some resources to tap to formalize conversations that otherwise wouldn’t have happened ended up carrying us through the effort and will have a lasting impact.”
In addition to the Capacity Building Team, each community had the opportunity to engage local firms and nonprofit organizations as sub-contractors to complete specific projects within the scope of work. Over the two year period, WSP executed 40 subcontracts totaling $1.4 million with entities that contributed deep local knowledge and subject matter expertise.
The Capacity Building Team collaborated with Hinds County, Mississippi to develop roadway safety concept plans and successfully pursue federal grant support for improvements at two of the county’s most dangerous corridors and intersections. Through the program, Hinds County officials were able to hire a local firm to deliver a street concept plan and preliminary design that supported the county’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Implementation grant application, and a second local consultant to help with the SS4A Planning and Demonstration grant application and identification of local subcontractors to complete the work outlined in the plan.
What They Said
The Capacity Building Team “provided both the resources and strategic guidance needed to address long-standing public safety concerns, which in turn allowed us to focus more effectively on broader community development goals,” said Hinds County officials. “By improving lighting, walkability, and traffic control in key neighborhoods, we saw immediate and tangible effects — not just in terms of reduced crime, but also in increased community engagement, outdoor activity, and neighborhood pride. These changes played a crucial role in fostering a sense of security and belonging among residents, which is essential for any community to truly thrive.”
Successful capacity building is rooted in active listening, genuine collaboration, and the ability to bring people together around a shared vision. By being present in a community and supporting city staff who are often overwhelmed with myriad needs and responsibilities, capacity builders obtain a more nuanced understanding of local needs, strengthen trust between stakeholders, and literally add capacity to help local leaders advance important priorities. Capacity builders can serve as unbiased third parties, delivering feedback with honesty and integrity and, if necessary, support stakeholders as they change directions based on evolving community priorities.
Good capacity building ensures transparency and lays the groundwork for sustainable progress that reflects the lived experiences of those most impacted. For case studies and additional findings, please view our full Thriving Communities Program: Key Takeaways and Lessons Learned report.
