The Foundation for Community Development and Empowerment (FCDE www.fcde-isla.org) empowers developing world communities to positively impact issues of economic, social and environmental injustice/inequalities by leveraging the knowledge, funds and direct personal support of donors throughout the world. FCDE’s capacity building approach enables local communities to direct and achieve their own development objectives by increasing the capacity of existing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs). FCDE has integrated a number of the underlying principles of sustainable development to create a unique approach that has long-term positive impact on entire communities. Specifically, FCDE approaches sustainable development theory by ensuring that local voices direct development, utilizing peer-based models for skills transfer and hiring personnel that have long-term experience and investment in target communities. FCDE plays an active and ongoing role in helping communities move development efforts forward. FCDE works as a catalyst and provides direct support to strengthen each partner organization’s capacity building. FCDE utilizes a number of tools and processes to help each of its local CBO partners develop and mature including conducting skill building workshops, providing one-on-one support, making grants to organizations, helping organizations identify funding opportunities and providing a resource center.