Capacity Building Grants

Purpose: Strengthen organizational infrastructure of nonprofit organizations. Grants enhance sustainability and organizational strength by focusing on strategic vision and impact, governance and leadership, existing program delivery, resource generation, internal operations and management, evaluation and learning, and strategic relationships.

Geographic Scope

• Service Area: Stark, Carroll, Holmes, Tuscarawas, and Wayne Counties, Ohio

Eligibility

• Nonprofit organizations serving residents of Stark, Carroll, Holmes, Tuscarawas, and Wayne Counties
• Must have missions that align with the Foundation's mission
• Must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or governmental entity
• Must comply with local, state, and federal laws

Eligible Project Focus Areas

• Strategic vision and impact
• Governance and leadership
• Existing program delivery
• Resource generation
• Internal operations and management
• Evaluation and learning
• Strategic relationships

What Will NOT Be Funded

• Personnel costs (typically)
• Development or implementation of new programs
• Capital projects
• Activities the organization has budgeted for in the past
• Annual appeals or membership drives
• Computers
• Debt reduction
• Endowments
• Grants to individuals
• One-time events
• Scholarships
• Vehicles

Review Timeline

• Applications reviewed on rolling basis
• No specific deadlines; rolling submission accepted

Contact Information

(330) 454-5909 (fax)
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Past Examples

• Faith in Action of Western Stark County: $4,000 for organizational assessment
• Greater Stark County Urban League: $10,000 for succession planning and related costs
• Phoenix Rising Behavioral Healthcare and Recovery: $9,700 for board development services and technological needs

Application Process

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

• Confirm organization is 501(c)(3) nonprofit or governmental entity
• Verify service to residents of Stark, Carroll, Holmes, Tuscarawas, or Wayne Counties
• Ensure organization's mission aligns with Foundation's mission
• Confirm compliance with local, state, and federal laws

Step 2: Review Restrictions

• Verify request does not fall under prohibited funding categories
• Confirm project focuses on organizational infrastructure rather than new programs or capital projects

Step 3: Submit Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

• Complete LOI form through online system
• Submit through online portal
• Response received within two weeks
• Forms accepted and reviewed on rolling basis
• Important: LOI must be submitted within 90 days of starting, or information will be deleted

Step 4: Full Application (if invited)

• Complete full application form through online system
• Provide detailed information about capacity building project

Submission Timeline

Rolling Basis:

• LOI Due: Accepted on rolling basis (November 1, February 1, May 1, August 1 decision dates)
• Application Due: After LOI invitation (December 1, March 1, June 1, September 1 decision dates)
• Grant Decisions: March, June, September, December

Required Materials

• Letter of Inquiry form
• Full application (if invited)
• Organization information and budget
• Description of capacity building project
• Timeline and outcomes for organizational improvement

Contact for Technical Issues

Anne Savastano, Grants and Operations Manager
Email: asavastano@scfcanton.org
Phone: (330) 454-5800, ext. 304