CDC Capacity Fund
Funding Amount
Not stated
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Annual
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- CDC Definition: nonprofit, community-based organizations focused on community engagement and physical and economic revitalization of low-income, underserved neighborhoods that have experienced significant disinvestment
Other requirements
- Exclusively for CDCs (Community Development Corporations)
- CDCs typically focus on one or more of: housing development, economic development (job training, commercial development, small business assistance), neighborhood planning, infrastructure, and community facilities development
- If unsure about eligibility, contact: Michael Cowan, Grants & Programs at (901) 521-4232 or michael@communitylift.org before beginning an application
- Focus: Building organizational/operational capacity (distinct from the Strategic Investment Fund which supports specific projects)
Not eligible / not funded
- Not eligible: Other community-based organizations are ineligible to apply
Overview
The CDC Capacity Fund grant was established to address the severe underfunding of the local CDC sector and to help build organizational and operational capacity. This is the city's only dedicated source of funding solely for CDCs.
Vision: Ensure a robust, effective network of CDCs that are capable of serving as quarterback agencies for scaled revitalization efforts that significantly enhance the quality of life in Memphis' distressed neighborhoods, thus serving as catalysts for equitable economic growth and advancement.
Background: Developed after comprehensive research and with support from a 13-person advisory committee composed of Community LIFT's community partners and local foundations, philanthropy, financial institutions, and CDCs. The State of the Memphis CDC Industry report revealed that the local CDC sector is severely underfunded and operating with limited capacity.
Geographic Scope: Memphis, Tennessee
Eligibility:
- Exclusively for CDCs (Community Development Corporations)
- Other community-based organizations are ineligible to apply
- CDC Definition: nonprofit, community-based organizations focused on community engagement and physical and economic revitalization of low-income, underserved neighborhoods that have experienced significant disinvestment
- CDCs typically focus on one or more of: housing development, economic development (job training, commercial development, small business assistance), neighborhood planning, infrastructure, and community facilities development
- If unsure about eligibility, contact: Michael Cowan, Grants & Programs at (901) 521-4232 or michael@communitylift.org before beginning an application
Focus: Building organizational/operational capacity (distinct from the Strategic Investment Fund which supports specific projects)
Contact Information:
- Community LIFT Corp
- 1863 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
- Phone: (901) 521-4232
- Michael Cowan, Grants & Programs: michael@communitylift.org
- Website: communitylift.org
How to Apply
Application Process
Documents Available:
- RFP CDC Capacity Fund 2024
- CDC Capacity Fund Application
- CDC Capacity Fund Budget Templates
- CDC Fund Proposal Budget
Additional Resources:
- CDC Capacity Fund Information Session available
Contact for Questions:
- Michael Cowan, Grants & Programs
- Phone: (901) 521-4232
- Email: michael@communitylift.org
Newsletter:
- Sign up for newsletter to receive announcements related to funding opportunities
What Community Lift Corp actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 17
- Total given
- $515K
- Median grant
- $20K
- Range
- $7,500–$180K
- By dollars: Tennessee 97%, Illinois 3%. Top recipient cities: Memphis, TN; Chicago, IL.
- 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 47% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
River City Capital Investment · Memphis, TN
Cdc
$180K
Score CDC · Memphis, TN
Cdc
$43K
Alcy Ball CDC · Memphis, TN
Empowerment
$25K
Legacy of Legends CDC · Memphis, TN
Cdc
$25K
Midsouth Genesis CDC · Memphis, TN
Cdc
$25K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Community development
- Capacity building
Categories
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Memphis Empowerment Fund
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CDC Strategic Investment Fund
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Arts Build Communities (ABC) Grant Program
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Deadline
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Based on past cycles
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