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
$.50 match per $1 raised
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BLOOMINGTON · Rolling / Open Foundation

Agency Endowment Matching Program Geographic Scope: Monroe County, Indiana Overview: A matching opportunity for nonprofits to create or build endowments with support from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.…

US $10,000 - US $100,000
ARTS AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL OF MONTGOMER · Rolling / Open Foundation

AHCMC: Advancement Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County Amount: US $10,000 - US $100,000 Last Updated: February 08, 2026 Summary The Advancement Grants,…

ARTS AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL OF MONTGOMER · Rolling / Open Foundation

AHCMC: Programming & Capacity Building Project Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County Amount: US $1,000 - US $15,000 Last Updated: February 01, 2026 Summary…

BERRIEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Alamar Nonprofit Sustainability Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Berrien Community Foundation Amount: US $75,000 Last Updated: December 26, 2025 Summary The Alamar Nonprofit Sustainability Grant,…

THE ALLEGAN COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Allegan County Community Foundation: Community Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Allegan County Community Foundation Last Updated: March 23, 2026 Summary Overview Allegan County Community Foundation:…

ALLIANCE FOR EARLY SUCCESS FKA · Rolling / Open Foundation

Alliance for Early Success Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Alliance for Early Success Last Updated: September 24, 2025 Summary The Alliance for Early Success offers grants to support early childhood…

Alston Beech Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

Alston Beech Foundation Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Alston Beech Foundation Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Summary The Alston Beech Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations with clear,…

Up to $535,000 total distributed (amounts vary by organization)
Alexandria Economic Development · Rolling / Open Foundation

ALX B2B Business Association Grant Program Status: Announced October 2022; funding awarded to eight organizations Geographic Scope: City of Alexandria, Virginia Overview: The Alexandria Economic…

AMERICAN JOURNALISM PROJECT INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

American Journalism Project Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: American Journalism Project Inc Last Updated: January 02, 2025 Summary The American Journalism Project is dedicated to enhancing local news…

Varies
MASSACHUSETTS SERVICE ALLIANCE INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

AmeriCorps Program Program Type: Federally-funded service program Geographic Scope: Massachusetts Description: AmeriCorps is a federally-supported national network of programs that engages nearly…

ServeNebraska · Rolling / Open Foundation

AmeriCorps Funding Opportunity Planning Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: ServeNebraska Amount: Up to US $75,000 Last Updated: February 10, 2026 Summary The AmeriCorps Funding Opportunity Planning Grant,…

OregonServes State Service Commission · Rolling / Open Foundation

AmeriCorps Oregon Planning Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: OregonServes State Service Commission Amount: Up to US $75,000 Last Updated: October 28, 2025 Summary The AmeriCorps Oregon Planning Grants…

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

AmeriCorps Planning Grant (Illinois) Status: ACTIVE Funder: Illinois Department of Human Services: Division of Family & Community Services Amount: Up to US $125,000 Last Updated: March 17, 2026…

OKLAHOMA COMMUNITY SERVICE · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

AmeriCorps Program Grants Funder: Oklahoma Community Service (AmeriCorps) Website: okamericorps.com Geographic Scope: Oklahoma (statewide) Program Description: AmeriCorps grants are awarded to…

$29.8 million - $32.7 million (FY2024-2025)
THE ONESTAR FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

AmeriCorps State and National Administrator: OneStar Foundation Geographic Scope: Texas statewide Overview: OneStar Foundation administers AmeriCorps funding throughout Texas. This is a federal-state…

Hawai'i Commission for National and Community Service · Rolling / Open Foundation

AmeriCorps State Planning Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Hawai'i Commission for National and Community Service Amount: Up to US $75,000 Last Updated: March 24, 2026 Summary Overview AmeriCorps State…

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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