Organizational Capacity Building Grants: OCB Flexible Fund Grants

The Organizational Capacity Building (OCB) Flexible Fund Grants by the Retirement Research Foundation aim to enhance the capacity of Illinois nonprofit organizations serving older adults. These grants, up to $5,000, support diverse initiatives such as board development and strategic planning. With a simplified application process and rolling deadlines, OCB Flex grants facilitate quick funding decisions, making them ideal for short-term projects. Emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, these grants prioritize marginalized populations, ensuring impactful community engagement.

The Organizational Capacity Building (OCB) grant award program helps nonprofit organizations in Illinois strengthen their infrastructure and capacity to better serve older people. These grants support a variety of initiatives. For example, OCB-funded activities include:
Board DevelopmentCommunications and MarketingEvaluationFundraisingHuman ResourcesInformation Technology ImprovementsInternal Operations/Financial ManagementOrganizational Strategy PlanningStrategic Program Planning
RRF offers an OCB Flexible Fund Grant (OCB Flex) to respond to the needs of organizations serving older people – with smaller, quickly reviewed, short-term grants. RRF accepts OCB Flex Fund grant applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Funding requests must be $5,000 or less, and the applicant should complete the project within a six-month timeline. OCB Flex allows a simplified application process, and funding decisions are generally made within four to six weeks.
OCB Flex grants can be especially effective for planning purposes, staff training, and short-term technical assistance. OCB Flex grants are often used to support consultants, and if so, a bid must be submitted with the application.

Eligibility

OCB Flexible Fund Grants are provided to nonprofit organizations that are:
are located in Illinoishave been in operation for at least three years and have annual revenue of at least $75,000place a high priority on providing services to people, ages 65 and olderRRF provides funding to nonprofit organizations that are tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as Public Charities; OR nonprofit organizations that are not required to have a 501(c)(3) designation, such as state-funded universities and Area Agencies on Aging.

Ineligibility

RRF generally does not fund:Projects that are not intentionally focused on older people, age 65 and aboveProjects outside of the United StatesGrants to individualsLobbyingGeneral operating expenses or support for ongoing programs without significant changes in strategy or focusBiomedical research, basic theory development for social science research, or research and development for new technologyConstruction of facilities, capital improvements, or computer equipmentConferences, publications, or production of films and videos unless they are integral components of a larger projectDissertation research, tuition expenses, or education programs for undergraduate or graduate studentsEndowments, capital campaigns, or fundraising eventsPrivate foundationsFinancial deficitsRRF does not award grants to governmental agencies, except for state universities, area agencies on aging, and programs of the Veterans Administration.