Nonprofit organizations looking to improve their long-term sustainability and organizational effectiveness now have an exciting funding opportunity through the Capacity Building Grants program. Designed to help organizations strengthen their internal systems, leadership, infrastructure, and overall effectiveness, these grants provide one-time funding ranging from $100,000 to $250,000.

Rather than funding ongoing operational expenses or recurring program costs, Capacity Building Grants invest in the internal development of organizations so they can achieve greater impact over the long term. Whether your organization needs stronger leadership, improved technology, enhanced fundraising strategies, better data systems, or innovative operational improvements, this funding opportunity is designed to help build lasting organizational capacity.

Applications are currently open, and eligible organizations are encouraged to submit proposals before the deadline.

What Are Capacity Building Grants?

Capacity Building Grants are one-time investments that help nonprofit organizations improve their internal capabilities, allowing them to better achieve their mission and expand their impact over time.

Instead of focusing solely on delivering programs, these grants recognize that strong organizations require equally strong internal systems, effective leadership, sound financial planning, efficient operations, and sustainable organizational strategies.

By investing in these critical organizational foundations, nonprofits become more resilient, adaptable, and better positioned to serve their communities for years to come.

Funding Amount

Successful applicants may receive:

• One-time grants ranging from $100,000 to $250,000

These funds are intended to support strategic organizational improvements rather than recurring annual funding.

Application Timeline

Organizations interested in applying should carefully note the official application period.

Applications Open:

• July 13, 2026

Application Deadline:

• August 13, 2026

Applicants are encouraged to complete the eligibility quiz and review the application materials before preparing their proposal.

Purpose of the Capacity Building Grants

The program exists to help organizations strengthen their internal effectiveness in ways that produce long-lasting organizational improvements.

Rather than supporting day-to-day operational costs alone, these grants focus on helping organizations:

• Improve organizational sustainability
• Strengthen leadership and governance
• Modernize systems and technology
• Increase operational efficiency
• Build stronger financial management
• Expand strategic planning capacity
• Improve organizational resilience
• Position themselves for long-term growth

The Foundation specifically supports organizations that can clearly demonstrate:

• A significant organizational capacity challenge
• Why addressing this challenge is essential now
• How a one-time investment will create lasting improvements
• How the investment aligns with the Foundation’s strategic priorities

What Makes a Strong Capacity Building Grant Proposal?

Applicants should clearly explain every aspect of their proposed investment.

A competitive proposal should address the following areas:

1. Clearly Define the Organizational Need

Organizations should explain:

• The exact organizational challenge they face
• Why this issue limits their effectiveness
• Why addressing this issue is essential

Rather than describing broad goals, applicants should identify one clearly defined organizational capacity need.

2. Explain Why the Investment Matters Now

Reviewers want to understand why the organization requires support at this stage of its development.

Strong applications explain:

• Organizational growth challenges
• New opportunities requiring additional capacity
• Existing barriers preventing greater impact
• Why immediate investment is necessary

3. Demonstrate Long-Term Sustainability

Since these are one-time grants, organizations should explain how improvements will continue after grant funding ends.

Examples include:

• Permanent technology improvements
• Sustainable staffing structures
• Improved fundraising capacity
• Stronger governance systems
• Long-term operational efficiencies

4. Present a Detailed Implementation Plan

Applicants should provide:

• A realistic budget
• Project activities
• Key milestones
• Implementation timeline
• Expected organizational outcomes

The proposal should clearly connect each funded activity to measurable organizational improvements.

5. Explain Expected Outcomes

Applicants should describe what will improve after the project.

Possible outcomes include:

• Better organizational performance
• Increased financial sustainability
• Improved staff capacity
• Enhanced service delivery
• Stronger partnerships
• Better decision-making through data
• Increased operational efficiency

6. Demonstrate Alignment with Foundation Priorities

Organizations should clearly explain how the proposed investment supports the Foundation’s strategic priorities.

Reviewers should be able to understand:

• The organization’s mission
• Its community impact
• The relationship between the proposed investment and the Foundation’s goals

Applicants are encouraged to assume reviewers may be learning about the organization for the first time and therefore provide sufficient organizational background.

Eligible Types of Capacity Building Projects

The Foundation welcomes a broad range of organizational capacity-building initiatives.

Examples include the following.

1. Staffing, Leadership and Organizational Culture

Funding may support efforts to strengthen:

• Staff development
• Leadership capacity
• Executive coaching
• Board governance
• Organizational culture
• Workforce planning
• Leadership succession

2. Financial Health and Flexible Funding

Organizations may seek support for initiatives that improve financial sustainability, including:

• Fundraising systems
• Revenue diversification
• Business model development
• Financial planning
• Financial resilience
• Flexible organizational support

3. Internal Systems and Operations

Organizations can improve their internal infrastructure through investments such as:

• Administrative improvements
• Shared service models
• Technology upgrades
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation
• Digital transformation
• Workflow improvements
• Operational modernization

4. Data and Evaluation

Funding may be used to strengthen organizational learning through:

• Data collection systems
• Performance measurement
• Evaluation frameworks
• Data-informed decision making
• Organizational learning systems

5. Strategic Planning

Organizations may receive support to develop stronger organizational direction through:

• Strategic planning
• Long-term organizational vision
• Goal setting
• Organizational assessments
• Future planning

6. Program Enhancement and Innovation

Organizations may test new approaches through:

• Pilot projects
• Time-bound innovation initiatives
• Expansion of public-facing services
• New program models
• Community-responsive innovations

The Foundation encourages thoughtful experimentation that strengthens organizational impact.

7. Communications, Partnerships and Community Engagement

Funding may also support efforts to improve:

• Public engagement
• Community outreach
• Strategic communications
• Cross-sector partnerships
• Collaboration with nonprofit organizations
• Civic partnerships
• Business partnerships
• Public education initiatives

The Foundation notes that while it does not fund lobbying, it may support strategic advocacy, education, and other policy engagement activities that do not constitute lobbying.

Additional Resources for Applicants

Before submitting an application, organizations are encouraged to take advantage of several support resources, including:

• Preview the application form
• Review the eligibility quiz
• Visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page
• Contact the grantee help desk
• Attend an in-person or virtual “Ask the Impact Officer” session during the summer

These resources can help applicants better understand eligibility requirements, proposal expectations, and the application process.

Click HERE to read more.

Why Organizations Should Apply

Many nonprofit organizations focus heavily on delivering services while postponing investments in their internal capacity due to limited funding.

Capacity Building Grants recognize that lasting community impact depends on strong organizations with effective leadership, modern systems, financial resilience, and strategic planning.

This funding provides organizations with an opportunity to invest in the infrastructure that supports long-term mission success. Whether the need involves leadership development, operational improvements, technology modernization, data systems, fundraising, or strategic planning, these grants help nonprofits build stronger foundations for future growth and increased community impact.

Organizations that clearly demonstrate how a one-time investment will produce sustainable organizational improvements are encouraged to apply before the application deadline.

Click HERE to start your application.

Conclusion

The Capacity Building Grants program offers a valuable opportunity for nonprofit organizations seeking to strengthen their internal capacity and position themselves for long-term success. With grants ranging from $100,000 to $250,000, organizations can invest in leadership, technology, financial sustainability, strategic planning, operations, communications, and innovation that will continue delivering benefits well beyond the grant period. Applicants should focus on presenting a well-defined organizational need, a realistic implementation plan, measurable outcomes, and a strong connection between the proposed investment and the Foundation’s strategic priorities. Interested organizations should ensure they complete their applications before August 13, 2026.

Click HERE for more grant opportunities.