Community Capacity Grant Program

The Community Capacity Grant Program, established by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, aims to support Wisconsin-based organizations dedicated to advancing health equity and addressing social determinants of health. With grants of up to $20,000, this initiative encourages innovative projects that enhance organizational capacity without covering core operating expenses. By fostering partnerships and mentorship, the program seeks to empower smaller nonprofits to effectively achieve their missions and improve community health outcomes.

Background
The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) is home to the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP), a grantmaking program within SMPH. The Wisconsin Partnership Program is committed to improving health and advancing health equity through investments in community partnerships, education and research.
A true embodiment of the Wisconsin Idea, WPP awards grants to innovative projects and initiatives that propel medical research, enhance health education and workforce development, support community health partnerships, and advance health. The work of WPP and its grantees touches all corners of the state, across a wide range of health challenges, communities, populations and geographic areas.
The Wisconsin Partnership Program’s vision, mission and values as well as its goals and grantmaking strategies are described in the 2024–2029 Five-Year Plan.
Goal and Description
The Community Capacity Grant Program is designed to support smaller and/or newer Wisconsin-based organizations working towards health equity and/or addressing social determinants of health in increasing their capacity. These grants will support projects designed to help organizations work more efficiently and effectively and increase the organization’s ability to advance its mission.
The project activities must fall within the Community Capacity Grant’s capacity-building categories:

• Strategic planning and functional operational improvementsProfessional development
• Activity and Expense Categories
• Project activities and expenses must fall within these capacity-building categories:
• Strategic planning and functional operational improvements
• Strategic planning and functional operational improvements

Hiring a consultant to support strategic, fundraising, communications, marketing, evaluation or business planning or developmentPurchasing software (one-time) and related set-up, configuration and trainingWebsite development, including content creation and accessibility
Professional development
Board development and/or staff training, including leadership training or conference registration and related necessary travel expenses

Eligibility

Eligible organizations for this grant opportunity must be a Wisconsin-based organization within one or more of these categories:Nonprofit, IRS tax exempt, 501(c)(3) organizationNonprofit, IRS tax exempt, 501(c)(6) organizationNonprofit or public 4K-12 school or districtTribal, state or local government entityThese grants are intended to build capacity of smaller and/or newer nonprofit organizations.Therefore, eligible organizations must have less than $500,000 in annual expenses OR have obtained nonprofit status after August 31, 2019.The recipient organization is responsible and accountable for leading and advancing the project as specified in the Memorandum of Understanding. A named employee from the organization must serve as the point of contact.WPP believes in working directly with organizations actively engaging in their community.Therefore, the recipient organization must be the implementing organization for the project.Applicant organizations are only eligible to apply for one project during this grant cycle.  All applicants are required to have a Fluxx account to access and submit the proposal.Allowable and Unallowable ExpensesFunds must be used for the capacity building project-related costs. Examples of how funds may be used include:Consultant and contract services (e.g., training)TravelTechnologyOffice supplies

Ineligibility

No-cost extension, budget revisions and change of scope requests will not be considered. Organizations serving as fiscal sponsors for an implementing organization will not be allowed. A fiscal agent/sponsor is defined as an organization which meets at least one of three criteria:Lends credibility of its 501(c)3 or nonprofit status and/or organization capacity to a smaller project partner or a for profit entityPerforms administrative functions for a project, typically for a feeProvides little to no programmatic oversight of the project and acts primarily as a passthroughAn applicant organization is ineligible to apply if they have had a grant terminated by WPP in the past 48 months or have received a formal notice of suspension or ineligibility from WPP in the past 48 months.Funds, as outlined in the unallowable expenses policy, may not be used for:General overhead expenses (i.e., general administrative support, rent, office space and cost-allocations for expenses not directly related to the project)Capital expenditures costing $5,000 or more with a useful life of two (2) years or more; exceptions may be made for capital expenditures if such equipment is crucial to the primary objectives of the project; Wisconsin Partnership Program pre-approval is requiredProjects outside the state of WisconsinAdditionally, for this grant program, funds may not be used for:Core operating expenses, such as human resources and accounting activitiesOn-going programmatic supportParticipant stipendsHuman subjects research