Capacity Building Grants

Last updated October 29, 2026

Grantable tracks 1,339 active capacity building grants in its free grants database, drawn from 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: Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
RISE Grant Program United Food Bank · Foundation Not published · $10K The RISE grant program is designed to elevate food pantry operations and grow the overall impact of the food assistance network within communities. Grants are available for initiatives across three project categories:	Not published	$10K
JCC Culture: Creating Safety Respect and Equity within the JCC Movement Jewish Community Centers Association of North America · Foundation Not published · $5K – $150K A pilot program funded by The Safety Respect Equity Coalition (SRE) to help individual JCCs shift culture around gender equity, safe workplaces, and anti-harassment in their communities.	Not published	$5K – $150K
Nonprofit Board Member Leadership Award Grant Foellinger Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $25K The Foellinger Foundation Nonprofit Board Member Leadership Award honors exemplary leadership by nonprofit board members from organizations that have received grants from the Foundation in the last five years.	Not published	$25K
Legacy/Custom Named Fund SCTE Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Allows individuals or businesses to create a lasting impact with a legacy or custom-named fund, establishing a personalized philanthropic presence.	Not published	Varies
GCRCF: Organization Support Grants Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation provides Organization Support Grants to enhance the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa.	Not published	Up to $25K
Technical Assistance & Professional Development Grants The Roundhouse Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Roundhouse Foundation's Technical Assistance & Professional Development Grants aim to enhance the capacity and skills of nonprofit partners in rural Oregon.	Not published	Up to $5K
Grassroots Exchange Fund Common Counsel Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies Small grants program designed to support rapid response networking and collaboration between grassroots social change organizations. Provides quick financial support to grassroots groups during unforeseen changes and opportunities.	Rolling	Varies
Emergency and Capacity Building Fund Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Up to $10K	Rolling	Up to $10K
Community Health and Hunger Program - Capacity Building Grants Good Shepherd Food Bank · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K Support partners looking to increase their capacity to serve their local communities by increasing the amount of healthy food they can distribute and the number of individuals helped through their programs.	Not published	Up to $25K
Grantmaking and Capacity Building Program Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Memphis Equity Through Arts Inc. invests to build strong and effective organizations through operational grant funding and supports that foster sustainability and improve program quality.	Not published	Varies
Capacity Grant Junior League of the City of Washington Inc · Foundation Not published · $15K	Not published	$15K
Community Grants (General Grantmaking) Fayette County Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Foundation conducts community needs assessments and opens targeted grant cycles based on priorities. Eligible organizations can apply through the Foundation's grantmaking process.	Not published	Varies
Bronx Dance Fund The Bronx Council on the Arts Incorporated · Foundation Not published · Up to $8K The Bronx Dance Fund seeks to nurture the development of artists and organizations that comprise the field of dance in the Bronx.	Not published	Up to $8K
Youth Mental Health Grants & Learning Cohort The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound · Foundation Not published · Varies The Community Foundation promotes generosity and advances well-being in the South Puget Sound by stewarding long-term charitable resources that support the evolving needs and opportunities of our communities.	Not published	Varies
Nonprofit Effectiveness Program (BIPOC-led Organizations) Lehigh Valley Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $10K	Not published	$10K
Grants for Member and Partner Organizations Latino Community Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Operational, capacity-building and programmatic grants to member and partner organizations in order to fund and develop programs, fill gaps, advocate, and foster civic participation.	Not published	Varies
Targeted Support Funds Inatai Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies A consolidated funding opportunity combining three grant streams into a single application process: To support organizations in growing their capacity to build community power	Not published	Varies
Black Women & Gender-Expansive Leadership Project (BWL) Washington Area Women's Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Driven by recommendations from the Thrive As They Lead report, the Foundation is launching new initiatives to uplift Black women and gender-expansive nonprofit leaders in the region.	Not published	Varies
Lewis County Community Foundation Grant Program Parkersburg Area Community Foundation Inc (Previously Pacf Inc) · Foundation Not published · Varies To be considered for a Lewis County Community Foundation grant, an applicant must be a private, nonprofit organization, tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a public institution.	Not published	Varies
CFSC: Capacity Building Grants The Community Foundation of Sarasota CO Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $15K The CFSC Capacity Building Grants aim to empower local nonprofits by enhancing their internal capabilities and sustainability in preparation for the upcoming Giving Challenge.	Not published	Up to $15K
CFCBR: Community Grants Program Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge · Foundation Not published · $1K – $10K The Community Grants Program, managed by the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, allocates over $1.5 million annually to support nonprofit organizations addressing community needs in Staunton, Waynesboro, and surrounding…	Not published	$1K – $10K
Jewell Schweitzer Collective Impact Program Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is committed to achieving positive impact with regard to broad community issues Springfield-Greene County.	Not published	Varies
Community Opportunities Grants Community Foundation of Northern Illinois · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: Organizations interested in applying for a Community Opportunities grant must contact the Program Director to discuss the proposal._ CFNIL has been building endowments and honoring donor intent through grantmaking in the Rockford…	Not published	Varies
Funded Partners Program United Way of the Mohawk Valley Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies United Way of the Mohawk Valley invites local agencies to apply for funding to support initiatives that align with the organization's mission.	Not published	Varies

Showing 385–408 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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