In April 2015, Vision of Victory (Frances Rollins and staff) was selected as one of 25 non-profit organizations to participate in Project Upgrade for Uplift (UFU), sponsored by the Center for Urban Progress at Howard University. Upgrade for Uplift is a joint venture of Howard University Center for Urban Progress (CUP) and the Washington Regional Association of Grant makers (WG) that was developed to support the viability of faith based and community based organizations serving residents of greater need in the District of Columbia.

UFU capacity-building activities are designed to help an organization function more effectively in at least three of five areas of capacity building: leadership development, organizational development, program development, financial management and community engagement. A personalized plan of work was developed for Southeast Children’s Fund and the opportunity for the Senior Administrative team to participate in training and technical assistance activities in the four areas.

Southeast Children’s Fund completed the self assessment developed by UPU staff. It was determined the three areas of capacity building it would focus on was leadership, financial management and organizational development. The major emphasis of the plan was on the development of an active, viable, Board of Directors that understood the expectations of a Board of Directors of a non-profit organization by the IRS, Foundations, Government agencies and other potential funders.

On September 29, 2015, Southeast Children’s Fund met its primary goal, when it hosted a “Meet and Greet” for five Board members and Senior Administrative staff. The purpose of the “Meet and Greet” was to provide the Board Members with information about UFU and to describe the function and responsibilities of the Board of Directors.