This paper shares our definition of capacity building and develops our first iteration of a capacity building model that we will work to implement. This includes modular and adaptive components that will depend on the lens of organizational partners and geographic regions. Previous capacity building activities have largely been short-term, projectized and sectoral, led by donors, and without sufficient community ownership. These factors limit the impact of the intervention, limit opportunities for long-term building of systems and capacities, and may even counterproductively degrade existing capacity. We hope that this model moves beyond the business as usual to work with local partners to define specific needs.