Capacity Building Grants

Last updated October 29, 2026

Grantable tracks 1,339 active capacity building grants in its free grants database, drawn from state and foundation sources and updated daily. 62 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 713 list an award amount, with a median of $25K.

Grants tracked
1,339
from 960 funders
Median award
$25K
middle half $10K–$100K
Total listed funding
$137.9M
across 713 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines
57
78 with a published date

On this page: State Foundation · Updated daily

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★Grant
Empire Health Foundation Sponsorship

Empire Health Foundation · Foundation

Not published · Varies

_Note: Application Deadline: No later than 90 days before a planned event or convening_ Strengthening communities through connection and learning.

The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Grant

The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc · Foundation

Not published · Varies

The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Grant supports nonprofit organizations in improving community health, education, social justice, cultural enrichment, and capacity building.

TCFNF: The Arts - Art Ventures - Small Arts Organizations Grant

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida Inc · Foundation

Not published · $10K

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida offers the Art Ventures grant for small to mid-sized arts organizations. This funding aims to enhance organizational capacity and support program development.

Fiscal Sponsorships

Community Foundation of Wabash County Inc · Foundation

Not published · Varies

If your organization is doing charitable work but is not designated as a 501(c)(3), a fiscal sponsorship with the Community Foundation may be an option as a way to apply for grants, raise funds, and provide your donors with a charitable…

African American Unity Fund Grant

Omaha Community Foundation · Foundation

Not published · Up to $30K

The African American Unity Fund Grant, managed by the Omaha Community Foundation, supports initiatives that benefit the African American community in Omaha.

TANF Employment & Training Special Project - Community Resource Development Program Grant

Illinois Department of Human Services: Division of Family & Community Services · Foundation

Not published · Up to $75K

The TANF Employment & Training Special Project Grant aims to enhance community capacity for organizations serving the TANF population and low-income families.

Equity-Focused Leadership Grants

Bonfils-Stanton Foundation · Foundation

Not published · Up to $20K

$20,000 unrestricted leadership grant for Denver orgs building representative/inclusive leadership. Status open (Denver-focused).

AmeriCorps Oregon Planning Grants

OregonServes State Service Commission · Foundation

Not published · Up to $75K

The AmeriCorps Oregon Planning Grants offer funding to assist organizations in developing new AmeriCorps programs that tackle community challenges.

Wellness Grants for Leaders and Frontline Workers

The Lumpkin Family Foundation · Foundation

Not published · Up to $10K

The Lumpkin Family Foundation has launched the Wellness Grants for Leaders and Frontline Workers to combat burnout in nonprofit organizations.

African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Grants

National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States · Foundation

Not published · $50K – $150K

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Grants support the preservation of historic sites that reflect African American cultural heritage.

Helping Hands Scholarship

Handson Northwest North Carolina · Foundation

Not published · 50% of program cost (partial scholarship)

The Helping Hands Scholarship is a partial scholarship to help a nonprofit organization participate in either the Service Enterprise Initiative or Organizational Assessment programs.

Speckhard-Knight Charitable Foundation Grant

Speckhard-Knight Charitable Foundation · Foundation

Not published · $2K – $15K

The Speckhard-Knight Charitable Foundation Grant aims to support nonprofit organizations in Jackson and Washtenaw Counties, providing essential resources for individuals to live inspired and independent lives.

The Thiru Family Trust Momentum Maker Grant

Arizona Community Foundation · Foundation

Not published · Varies

The Thiru Family Trust Momentum Maker Grant (Momentum Maker) was established in 2023 thanks to a generous gift from the Thiru Family Trust.

Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants

March Foundation · Foundation

Not published · Varies

Grants supporting nonprofit capacity building initiatives, including external evaluations to measure program effectiveness and impact.

Steve Sullivan Professional Development Funding Grant

Mibor Foundation Inc · Foundation

Not published · Varies

The Steve Sullivan Professional Development Funding Grant, offered by the REALTOR® Foundation, aims to enhance the capabilities of 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in central Indiana.

Henry Luce Foundation Grant - Mid-Career Faculty Study

Albion College · Foundation

Not published · $50K

Planning Grants

Hampton Roads Community Foundation · Foundation

Not published · Varies

Help coalitions of nonprofit organizations and other appropriate agencies explore and plan for the launch of a collaborative project to solve an identified community issue

Story County Community Foundation: Capacity Building Grant

Story County Community Foundation · Foundation

Not published · Up to $5K

The Story County Community Foundation offers a Capacity Building Grant to enhance the capabilities of nonprofit organizations within Story County.

PATH Technical Assistance Grants

Path Foundation Inc · Foundation

Not published · Up to $25K

The PATH Technical Assistance Grants offer up to $25,000 to nonprofit organizations aiming to enhance their operational effectiveness through capacity-building efforts.

Levine Impact Lab Grant

Levine Impact Lab Inc · Foundation

Not published · Varies

LIL’s grant programs are geared towards community-based nonprofit organizations focused on the environment, sustainability, climate resiliency, and/or education. What can you expect from LIL?

GCRCF: Rapid Response Grants (formerly President’s Grants)

Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation · Foundation

Not published · Up to $3K

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation offers Rapid Response Grants to support local nonprofit organizations in Linn County, Iowa.

Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation Impact Grant

Fond Du Lac Area Foundation · Foundation

Not published · $5K – $10K

The Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation Impact Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Dodge County by supporting impactful projects.

Indigenous Community Media Fund

Cultural Survival Inc · Foundation

Not published · $2K – $12K

Supports Indigenous community radio stations and other media outlets to strengthen their broadcast infrastructure, systems, and capacity while ensuring sustainability of Indigenous community-controlled media.

Grant for Community Capacity Building

Dept of Hawaiian Home Lands · State

Not published · Varies

DHHL grant funding for community capacity building statewide. Part of the Native Hawaiian Development Program Plan, available to nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a purpose to benefit Native Hawaiians.

Showing 313–336 of 1,326

About 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.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow capacity building grants down to the funders most likely to say yes, using their giving records.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do capacity building grants award?

Of the 1,339 capacity building grants Grantable lists as of October 29, 2026, 713 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $25K, and the middle half fall between $10K and $100K. The largest is $10M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most capacity building grants?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are Greater Salina Community Foundation (17), Enterprise Community Partners Inc (9), Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise Inc (8), National Institutes of Health (7), and The Rhode Island Community Foundation (7). In all, 960 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are capacity building grants due?

Of 1,339 grants listed, 57 accept applications on a rolling basis, 78 have a published upcoming deadline, 214 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 990 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site. Among dated deadlines, 49% fall in October–December.

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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