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
State/ Foundation
Updated daily
ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Monroe County Community Foundation Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Arkansas Community Foundation Inc Last Updated: October 25, 2025 Summary The Monroe County Community Foundation Grants, established in…

MOONEYHAN FAMILY FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Mooneyhan Family Foundation Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Mooneyhan Family Foundation Amount: Up to US $30,000 Last Updated: October 15, 2025 Summary The Mooneyhan Family Foundation, established in…

MORGAN FAMILY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Morgan Family Foundation: Social Equity Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Morgan Family Fdn Amount: More than US $10,000 Last Updated: December 18, 2025 Summary The Morgan Family Foundation offers Social…

The Community Foundation of Utah · Rolling / Open Foundation

Morgan Stanley Fellowship Organization: Community Foundation of Utah Geographic Scope: Utah Program Type: Education & Mentorship Opportunity for nonprofit leaders Description: Part of CFU's…

The Morgridge Family Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

Morgridge Acceleration Program (MAP) Fellowship Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Morgridge Family Foundation Last Updated: August 29, 2025 Summary The Morgridge Acceleration Program (MAP) Fellowship is a…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NEW JERSEY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Morris County Nonprofit Capacity Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation Of New Jersey Amount: Up to US $10,000 Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Summary Overview Community Foundation of…

FERN & GLADYS MOYER MEMORIAL TRUST · Rolling / Open Foundation

Moyer Memorial Trust Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Fern & Gladys Moyer Memorial Trust Last Updated: November 26, 2025 Summary The Fern and Gladys Moyer Memorial Trust provides funding primarily for…

EAST TEXAS COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Mrs. A. D. Francis Endowment Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: East Texas Communities Foundation Amount: Up to US $5,000 Last Updated: August 07, 2024 Summary The Mrs. A. D. Francis Endowment Fund…

Varies
FOREFRONT · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview Mission Sustainability Initiative The Mission Sustainability Initiative (MSI) at Forefront is dedicated to helping nonprofits thrive by providing the resources for leaders to regularly and…

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview MAP Assessment Types MAP offers five assessments. Aspects common to all assessments: * Grounded in the Core Standards * Include Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) issues as…

MUTUAL OF AMERICA FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Mutual of America's Community Partnership Award Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Mutual Of America Foundation Last Updated: May 21, 2025 Summary The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership…

Up to US $3,000
National Association of Community and Restorative Justice · Rolling / Open Foundation

NACRJ Impact Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: National Association of Community and Restorative Justice Amount: Up to US $3,000 Last Updated: August 16, 2025 Summary The NACRJ Impact Grant, initiated in…

US $20,000 - US $30,000
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FREE AND · Rolling / Open Foundation

NAFC Capacity Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics Inc Amount: US $20,000 - US $30,000 Last Updated: March 10, 2026 Summary Overview NAFC Open…

NEBRASKA EARLY CHILDHOOD · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

NAFCC Accreditation Support Program Funder: Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) Geographic Scope: Nebraska Accrediting Body: National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC) Program…

CASA OF JEFFERSON COUNTY INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

National CASA/GAL Capacity Building Grant Funder: National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association Award Amount: $10,000 Geographic Scope: National program available…

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) · Rolling / Open Foundation

National Leadership Grants for Museums Status: ACTIVE Funder: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Amount: US $50,000 - US $750,000 Last Updated: March 17, 2026 Summary The National…

FIRST PEOPLES FUND · Rolling / Open Foundation

Native Arts Ecology Building Grant Overview: A grant program focused on building and strengthening the Indigenous arts ecosystem and creating greater access to resources Native artists need to…

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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