Capacity Building Initiative (CBI)

Program Goals

The Capacity Building Grant Program is an annual program of the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network (CBFN). It seeks to support the capacity of organizations working at the intersection of natural resource and community well-being. “Organizational capacity” is defined as activities that strengthen an organization to help it better fulfill its mission. Organizations that are strong and healthy are more effective in carrying out their missions and are more consistent and sustainable partners.

What does this program fund?

Capacity-building projects should address challenges to improve an organization or local government’s long-term effectiveness. Applicants can focus on building their own internal capacity or building capacity for other organizations or local governments.

Examples include:

• Contractual support for organizational effectiveness assessments.
• Support for conducting enterprise risk management, including scenario planning.
• Strategic plan development or refinement.
• Fundraising plan development.
• Technology or database assistance.
• Operational process improvements.
• Staff training.
• Board development.
• Shared technical assistance models.
  • This category covers both technical assistance providers offering services to multiple nonprofits / local governments, or groups of organizations jointly seeking support for shared needs.
• Collaboration and mergers.

How much can be awarded?

Funding requests will generally not exceed $40,000 for non-profits and $150,000 for local governments. Requests may exceed these levels with additional justification.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• Who can apply?
  • Requests are encouraged from nonprofit organizations and tribal or local governments that:
  • Provide services within the Chesapeake watershed, including the DC, DE, MD, NY, PA, VA, and WV portions of the watershed, and the Maryland Coastal Bays and Youghiogheny watersheds in Maryland.
  • Have a water and/or natural resource focus within their work aligned with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals.
  • Nonprofits must also:
  • Have between 1 and 50 staff members.
  • Employ at least one full-time staff member (35+ hours per week) or have a dedicated volunteer contributing 35+ hours per week.
  • Have an active Board of Directors.
• For all eligibility requirements refer to the RFP.