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
Sherwood Trust · Rolling / Open Foundation

Sherwood Trust: Core Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Sherwood Trust Last Updated: December 25, 2025 Summary Sherwood Trust offers Core Grants to enhance community well-being in the Walla Walla Valley.…

SHINNYO-EN FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Shinnyo Fellowship Program Status: Active program - restructured in late 2025 Description: A school-year long fellowship program for undergraduate and post-undergraduate fellows to engage in campus…

NORTHERN CHAUTAUQUA COMMUNITY FOUND · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview The Silver Creek-Irving Heritage Fund (SCIHF) provides funding to new community initiatives, leadership development and charitable programs that address the most pressing issues within the…

$1,000,000 total to be invested
BASIC NEEDS GIVING PARTNERSHIP INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Single-Year Grant Cycle Status: COMING SOON Total Funding Available: $1,000,000 to be invested Geographic Scope: Northeast Wisconsin Purpose: This cycle provides planning and/or capacity building…

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL SEATTLE-KI · Rolling / Open Foundation

Small Business Investment Grant (RFP #23-02) Funder: Washington State Department of Commerce • Community Reinvestment Project Status: Award period closed (40 grants awarded as of October 1, 2024)…

MISSOULA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Small Grants Geographic Scope: Missoula-area nonprofits Focus Areas - Arts & Culture - Education - Community Care Overview Each year, the Missoula Community Foundation offers small grants to area…

UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA · January 31, 2027 · Semi-annual Foundation

Small Grants Program Status: Actively accepting applications Geographic Scope: Southwest Minnesota service area (Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine, and portions of Cottonwood, Lac qui Parle,…

CHRISTIAN CONNECTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL HEALTH · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Small Grants Program Overview: CCIH awards small grants to its members to build their capacity and support their health programs, as funds are available. Purpose Small grants are designed to enhance…

US $5,000 - US $15,000
US Dept. of State: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs · Rolling / Open Foundation

Small Grants Program - Ukraine Status: ACTIVE Funder: US Dept. of State: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs Amount: US $5,000 - US $15,000 Last Updated: August 06, 2020 Summary The…

THE NETWORK ADVOCATING AGAINST DOMESTIC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Small Provider Grant Opportunity Funder: The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence Overview: This capacity-building grant opportunity is designed for small gender-based violence service…

US $25,000 - US $100,000
THE SMART FAMILY FUND · Rolling / Open Foundation

Smart Family Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Smart Family Fund Amount: US $25,000 - US $100,000 Last Updated: June 08, 2025 Summary The Smart Family Fund is a private foundation dedicated to…

RICHARD & SUSAN SMITH FAMILY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Smith Family Foundation: Small Capital Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation Amount: US $25,000 - US $100,000 Last Updated: January 22, 2026 Summary The Smith Family…

$195,000
FOOD BANK ASSOCIATION OF · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

SNAP Cohort Status: Currently active Amount: $195,000 Duration: Three-year grant Funder: Feeding America Purpose: Improve SNAP program administration in New York and build capacity for advocacy.…

THE EQUITY IMPACT CENTER · Rolling / Open Foundation

Social Impact Fellowship Overview: A program that supports equity-centered leaders through structured learning and peer connection. Fellows build leadership capacity and cross-sector relationships to…

$10,000 per grant (typically $30,000 total for 3 grants)
UNITED WAY OF EAST TENNESSEE · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Social Innovation Grant Program Status: Active (most recent cycle mentioned: 2022) Geographic Scope: Washington, Carter, Johnson, and Southern Sullivan Counties in Northeast Tennessee Award Amount:…

$5,000 - $25,000 (responsive grants); larger amounts available upon consultation
Community Foundation for SW Washington · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Social Justice & Resiliency Grants Purpose: Strengthening culturally specific organizations and advancing equity and inclusion in the nonprofit sector for a more just and resilient future. Provides…

Community Foundation for SW Washington · Rolling / Open Foundation

Social Justice and Resiliency Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation for Southwest Washington Last Updated: November 01, 2025 Summary The Social Justice and Resiliency Fund offers…

ARIZONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Social Venture Partners Arizona (SVP) Investee Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Arizona Community Foundation Last Updated: January 07, 2026 Summary Overview Social Venture Partners Arizona (SVP) Investee…

US $30,000 - US $40,000
Mama Cash · Rolling / Open Foundation

Solidarity Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Mama Cash Amount: US $30,000 - US $40,000 Last Updated: March 26, 2026 Summary Overview Solidarity Fund Grant Designed by women’s funds for women’s funds.…

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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