CFWV: Capacity Building Grants

The Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia offers Capacity Building Grants to strengthen nonprofit organizations in Roanoke, Salem, and Martinsville, as well as surrounding counties. These grants focus on enhancing technology, digital marketing, and financial health, with the goal of improving organizational infrastructure. Eligible applicants must be established 501c3 nonprofits for at least two years and demonstrate a plan to utilize grant funds effectively within one year. Organizations should also provide vendor quotes and match at least 20% of the requested funding.

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia
The Foundation supports qualified nonprofit organizations primarily in the cities of Roanoke, Salem and Martinsville, and the counties of Roanoke, Botetourt, Craig, Henry, Patrick and Franklin.
The Community Foundation recognizes there is more to a nonprofit than the programs it offers to the community. By helping to improve infrastructure at the organizational level, capacity building grants can strengthen nonprofits by improving their core systems and operations to effectively carry out their mission. While capacity-building can take many forms, the following areas of focus will be considered for funding:
Advancement of TechnologyTo support software and other technology upgrades that are crucial to an organization’s operations, including, but not limited to the following:Financial softwareDonor management softwareEnhanced CybersecurityNew or the replacement of aging technology equipment (i.e. computers, laptops, printers) that is not already included in your typical budget.Digital MarketingProvide support for the creation of high-quality digital content such as testimonials and short videos that “tell your story”.Provide support to update/revamp a current website to improve functionality and to attract and maintain donor support.For Organizations that are part of a national or state organization, your website must be completely separate from that organization’s website with a separate website address and not be linked to the national or state website.Improving Financial HealthFor costs related to an organization acquiring its first independent audit.Request must be for Audited Financial Statements from an independent audit firm and not for 990’s or other tax filings, reviews, compilations, or agreed upon procedures.

Eligibility

Be in existence as a 501c3 nonprofit, tax-exempt organization for at least two years from the date of incorporation.Must be located in and serving the cities of Martinsville, Roanoke, and Salem, and the counties of Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, Henry, Patrick, and Roanoke. To be “located in” means to have a physical office in one of the areas noted above.If awarded a grant, organization must wait three years before apply again for the same grant opportunity.Must be able to expend the grant funds within one year from the date of the grant.Must be able to provide bids/quotes from vendors to submit with the application.Applicants will be required to match at least 20 percent of the amount of funding requested.No part of the grant request is to include in-kind gifts or be allocated for administrative overhead costs.

Ineligibility

Colleges/Universities, Public/Private Schools, Governmental Agencies, and Churches are not eligible to apply for a Capacity Building Grant.The Foundation’s discretionary funds typically do not support: deficit reductionendowments fundraising eventssectarian, fraternal or religious programsindividuals