Organizational Capacity Building Grants - Standard OCB Grants

The Retirement Research Foundation offers Organizational Capacity Building Grants to Illinois nonprofits focused on enhancing their management and governance systems. These grants support activities such as strategic planning, financial management, program evaluation, and human resources development. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt, operational for at least three years, and prioritize services for the elderly. This funding aims to strengthen nonprofits' capacity to serve older adults effectively.

NOTE: All applicants are required to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) before being invited to submit a full grant proposal. If you are invited to submit a full proposal, you will be sent an email with detailed instructions on the application process.
The Retirement Research Foundation awards OCB grants to help Illinois nonprofits that serve older people make fundamental improvements to key management systems and governance.
RRF provides Standard OCB Grants to help Illinois nonprofits make long-term improvements in their management, governance, or organizational capacity. Standard OCB funds generally support consulting, training fees, information technology, and other costs directly related to capacity building activities. Applications for Standard OCB Grants coincide with the Foundation’s regular grantmaking cycles. These grants may be used to support capacity building activities that include, but are not limited to:
Strategic planningFinancial management, including cash flow, budget development, financial controlsProgram evaluation planningCommunications and marketing, including Website development, public relations, use of social mediaResource development and fundraisingHuman resources, including professional development, succession planning, staffing structure, assessment, and retentionInformation systems management, including technology enhancementsBoard development including assessment, recruitment, training, and structuringRestructuring and building relationships with other nonprofit organizations to strengthen service delivery, reduce costs, share resources, etc.
Standard OCB funds generally support consulting, training fees, information technology, staffing, and other costs directly related to capacity building activities.

Eligibility

Standard OCB Grants are provided to nonprofit organizations that are:Tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;In operation for at least three years and have annual revenue of at least $75,000;are located in IllinoisPlacing a high priority on providing services to the elderly.

Ineligibility

RRF’s Standard OCB Grants do not fund:

• Projects that are not intentionally focused on older people, age 65 and above
• Projects outside of the United States

Grants to individualsProjects based in institutional settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation, assisted living, skilled care facilities, and other healthcare settings
Lobbying
General operating expenses or support for ongoing programs without significant changes in strategy or focus
Biomedical research, basic theory development for social science research, or research and development for new technology
Construction of facilities, capital improvements, or computer equipment
Conferences, publications, or production of films and videos unless they are integral components of a larger project
Dissertation research, tuition expenses, or education programs for undergraduate or graduate students