Capacity Building Grants

Capacity building grants invest in the infrastructure of organizations — strategic planning, technology upgrades, leadership development, financial systems, and operational improvements. Unlike program grants, these funds strengthen your organization's ability to deliver all of its programs more effectively.

1,366 grants
Foundation
Updated daily
COLUMBUS FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

CF Summer Fellowship Program Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: The Columbus Foundation Amount: US $7,350 Last Updated: February 06, 2026 Summary Overview CF Summer Fellowship Program The Summer Fellowship…

US $1,000 - US $10,000
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFB: Competitive Grants- Brevard Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation for Brevard Amount: US $1,000 - US $10,000 Last Updated: April 09, 2025 Summary The Competitive Grants program by the…

US $1,000 - US $10,000
Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFCBR: Community Grants Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge Amount: US $1,000 - US $10,000 Last Updated: November 22, 2025 Summary The Community Grants…

COLLIER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFCC: Capacity Grants for Small Non-profits Status: ACTIVE Funder: Collier Community Foundation Amount: US $500 - US $5,000 Last Updated: March 02, 2026 Summary The Collier Community Foundation…

Greater Salina Community Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFCC: The Leonard & Dorothy Swenson Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Greater Salina Community Foundation Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Summary Overview Note: The grants committee will consider…

Community Foundation of Central Illinois · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFCI: Community Needs Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of Central Illinois Amount: Up to US $15,000 Last Updated: September 04, 2025 Summary The Community Foundation of Central…

DEKALB COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview _NOTE: While submissions are accepted at any time, grants are awarded quarterly. Grant proposals submitted after the quarterly due dates will be considered for the following quarter._ Grants…

US $1,500 - US $20,000
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELMIRA-CORNING · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFECFL Community Grant Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. Amount: US $1,500 - US $20,000 Last Updated: August 31, 2022 Summary The CFECFL…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF EAST CENTRAL · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFECI: Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of East Central Illinois Amount: Up to US $5,000 Last Updated: May 03, 2025 Summary The Community Foundation of…

US $5,000 - US $10,000
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFG Capacity Building Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of Greenville Amount: US $5,000 - US $10,000 Last Updated: November 10, 2024 Summary The CFG Capacity Building Grants support…

COMMUNITY FDN OF GREATER DES MOINES · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFGDM: Capacity Building Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines Amount: Up to US $7,500 Last Updated: February 25, 2026 Summary The Community Foundation of Greater…

COMMUNITY FDN OF GREATER DES MOINES · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFGDM: Strategic Alignment Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines Amount: Up to US $25,000 Last Updated: December 28, 2025 Summary The CFGDM: Strategic Alignment…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview _NOTE:_ * _Pre-Proposal - This deadline represents the requirement to attend a mandatory pre-application information session. There are 3 designated dates to select from to fulfill this…

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER NEW · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFGNH: Small Grants Program Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Amount: Up to US $15,000 Last Updated: February 07, 2026 Summary The CFGNH Small Grants Program offers…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview Background Each year, the Com­mu­ni­ty Foun­da­tion awards Com­pet­i­tive Grants to sup­port orga­ni­za­tions address­ing impor­tant com­mu­ni­ty needs in Teton Coun­ty, Wyoming. Fund­ing…

Approximately US $6,000
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFNF: Arts Nonprofit Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of North Florida Amount: Approximately US $6,000 Last Updated: February 13, 2026 Summary Overview CFNF: Arts Nonprofit Grant The…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR PALM BEACH AND · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFPBMC: Competitive Grantmaking - Summer Program Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties Amount: Up to US $75,000 Last Updated: November 01, 2025 Summary…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR PALM BEACH AND · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFPBMC: Competitive Grantmaking - Year-Round Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties Amount: Up to US $75,000 Last Updated: March 12, 2026 Summary The…

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA CO · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFSC: Capacity Building Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of Sarasota County Amount: Up to US $15,000 Last Updated: January 29, 2026 Summary The CFSC Capacity Building Grants aim to…

Up to US $1,500
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SWITZERLAND · Rolling / Open Foundation

CFSC: Leadership Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation of Switzerland County Amount: Up to US $1,500 Last Updated: October 21, 2025 Summary The Community Foundation of Switzerland County…

Frequently Asked Questions

What do capacity building grants typically fund?
Common uses include strategic planning, technology infrastructure (CRM, accounting software, website), staff training and professional development, board development, fundraising infrastructure, evaluation systems, financial management improvements, and organizational assessments. Some also fund mergers, collaborations, and shared services arrangements.
Which funders offer capacity building grants?
Notable funders include the Kresge Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Irvine Foundation. Many community foundations offer local capacity building programs. United Ways fund partner agency capacity. The Nonprofit Finance Fund provides financial capacity building. Tech-specific capacity grants come from TechSoup, Idealware, and Microsoft Philanthropies.
How do I make the case for a capacity building grant?
Start with a clear organizational assessment identifying gaps. Show how stronger infrastructure connects to better program outcomes and sustainability. Include specific metrics — current state, target state, and how you'll measure improvement. Funders want to see that capacity investments will have lasting impact beyond the grant period.

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