CFGDM: Strategic Alignment Grants

CFGDM: Strategic Alignment Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
Amount: Up to US $25,000
Last Updated: December 28, 2025

Summary

The CFGDM: Strategic Alignment Grants support nonprofit organizations in developing collaborative strategies to address community issues. With funding up to $25,000, these grants encourage partnerships that enhance systemic support, improve operational alignment, and foster shared resources. Organizations must hold a 501(c)(3) status to be eligible. This grant program is ideal for projects focused on strategic alignment rather than capacity building, ensuring impactful collaboration for social good.

Overview

NOTE:  Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; decisions are communicated in approximately 10 business days. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to the Community Impact team to discuss project goals and alignment prior to applying. Strategic Alignment Grant Program Strategic Alignment Grants provide funding for the exploration and/or implementation of strategic alignment strategies between two or more nonprofit organizations in coming together to enhance systemic support around a community issue/priority, align operations/programming, or deepen partnerships. Strategic alignment could be defined as coordination (formal relationships around specific efforts or programs that leverage efficiency and effectiveness for individual organizations) or collaboration (pooled or jointly secured resources with defined and measured outcomes that have social impact beyond one organization). Examples of well-aligned Strategic Collaboration projects: Exploration of shared staffing between organizationsFacilitated dialog between multiple boards considering a mergerCollective planning/assessment among multiple partners seeking to address a community issue Projects that may be a better fit for the Capacity Building grant program: Strategic planning and visioning for the nonprofit Succession and talent pipeline planning to ensure organizational leadership Financial scenario/business planning for stabilityFund development/marketing strategy development (excluding feasibility studies) Funding Applicants may apply for up to $25,000.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Grants will be made to charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) status

Ineligibility

Projects not eligible or competitive for the Strategic Collaboration grant program may be a better fit for our GIVEdsm platform, found here. Examples might include:Ongoing annual operating and program expensesCapital infrastructure projects (bricks and mortar)Sectarian religious programs promoting a particular faithTactical items such as hardware/equipment, collateral materials, donor management software or website development