Nonprofit Grants for Capacity Building

An essential process for nonprofits is that of capacity building. This refers to the process by which a nonprofit upgrades its ability to tackle new challenges and take on new programs and projects. This can include training and workshops for its employees, mentorship and coaching for its leaders, and investment in new technology, resources and real estate. Capacity building is essential for letting a nonprofit grow and find continuous success.

Of course, all this capacity building is going to cost money. This is where nonprofit capacity building grants come in. These grants help fund the necessary capacity building to help your nonprofit grow, from training to upgrades.

There are a few foundations noted for providing these kinds of capacity building grants, such as the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Ford Foundation. It’s not uncommon for community foundations and corporate philanthropy programs to design capacity building grants for usage in their immediate area.

When applying for a grant for capacity building, it's essential that you focus on just that - the capacity building! You need to outline clearly how you will spend the grant money in such a way to improve your programming. Don’t be general - specifically detail every expansion you have planned and always tie it back to how you can better perform your mission. Tell the story of what your strategy could result in, if you had the grant support. 

If you’re not certain as to what your strategy should be for your grants program, we have guides to help. You can also start browsing capacity building grants above.