Capacity Building Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small nonprofit organizations in the Omaha metro area that focus on improving economic stability, housing, maternal health, and mental health for local residents.

The Community Economic Development (CED) Planning Grants program, forecasted under the new NOFO HHS-2024-ACF-OCS-EE-0152, is administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Community Services (OCS). OCS plans to award approximately $1.5 million in discretionary funds to Community Development Corporations (CDCs). The fundamental objective is to stimulate the development of new CED projects by providing crucial financial assistance for administrative capacity building within these CDCs. This initiative directly aligns with OCS's core mission to reduce poverty and catalyze economic growth in local communities by facilitating social and revenue reinvestment, laying the groundwork for sustainable community self-sufficiency. The direct beneficiaries of this funding are Community Development Corporations (CDCs) that serve under-resourced, underserved, and persistent high-poverty areas with struggling economies. The ultimate beneficiaries are the residents of these target communities, including those with low incomes in both urban and rural settings. The immediate impact goal is to strengthen the administrative and planning capacity of CDCs that have historically struggled to put forth a viable CED project. The broader impact goals include stimulating the creation of new, viable CED projects, fostering localized economic growth, and ultimately reducing poverty through comprehensive community support and reinvestment. OCS has established three key strategic priorities for this funding opportunity, centering the approach on equity. The first priority aligns the grants with national climate and equity initiatives, specifically Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, and the Justice40 Initiative, by underscoring funding support for energy communities. The second focus is on increasing equity in the geographic distribution of CED funds, ensuring resources reach areas previously overlooked, as mandated by the CED statute. Finally, the third priority emphasizes breaking down service silos by encouraging CDCs to leverage existing partnerships across OCS programs, thereby promoting a holistic, wraparound services model to address poverty. The strategic priority and theory of change for OCS is rooted in the belief that administrative capacity is the critical barrier to entry for effective community-led development in high-poverty areas. By providing financial assistance for capacity building, the awards serve as a crucial step to connect CDCs with the larger CED resources required for impactful social and revenue reinvestment. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of CDCs capable of developing fundable projects, leading to the stimulation of new CED projects in persistent high-poverty areas. Measurable results will focus on the successful leveraging of the initial administrative capacity building funds into tangible new projects, demonstrating a clear path from planning support to demonstrable local economic growth and sustainable poverty reduction.

This grant provides funding to Colorado-based nonprofits focused on innovative solutions that improve the economic well-being of marginalized older adults by addressing systemic challenges and promoting equity in aging.

This program provides financial assistance to New Jersey communities at risk of wildfires to enhance their resilience through proactive planning, risk mitigation, and public awareness initiatives.

The U.S. Department of State through Embassy Bridgetown announces an open competition for a project to strengthen independent medias ability to increase access to objective and quality information in the Eastern Caribbean. Media outlets across the Caribbean face challenges including declining revenue sources and expensive operating environments. These challenges are compounded by the fact that many outlets have been traditionally under resourced. Media enterprises are suffering loss of advertising revenue and other funding streams. Many media houses also have gaps in adapting to the financial and editorial challenges of the current age and may lack fully developed business plans, leaving the outlets open to potential malign influence or interference efforts. Outlets also lack up-to-date equipment, computers, and software, hampering their ability to produce high-quality and timely content. Further, many operate under austere conditions and struggle to produce enough original, local content, exacerbating their vulnerability to disinformation, propaganda, and co-optation. Assistance is needed to ensure that journalists, outlets, and other media-related institutions have access to the training, networks, content, and equipment they need to resist false narratives and maintain a free and diverse media ecosystem. Embassy Bridgetown and partners seek to build the capacity of Eastern Caribbean media outlets using a third-party implementer. The implementer will scope its approach based on the following lines of efforts: Training and capacity building: training to include but not limited to: methods to increase content production on a wide range of stories, how to expand reach and advertising revenue, how to develop sustainable business models and plans, fact checking and other core journalistic skills, identifying and countering disinformation, and better educating the general public on how to spot disinformation. A training centered around World Press Freedom Day and multimedia training will be built into the program deliverables. Mentorship and network building: mentorship on journalism and media production skills building and financial/business practices. Network building to support joint reporting and fact-checking, and to create a sustainable community of practice that can share best practices beyond the life of this project. Content provision: providing Caribbean media outlets with access to wire service licenses to enable them to run high-quality, independent, third-party content (Associated Press in English, for instance). Content provision may draw on collaboration with other international wire services to offer an aggregated package to local media partners that they could pull from to disseminate themselves. Supplies: providing up-to-date media equipment, computers, and software on an objectively assessed needs basis to support independent, locally developed news content. Embassy Bridgetown seeks proposals that will provide financial and technical assistance to small and medium-sized media outlets to strengthen their ability to safely produce and disseminate accurate information to audiences in the Eastern Caribbean. The goal of this project is to support the independence of regional journalists and media outlets to increase access to information within the domestic and regional media ecosystems.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in the Richmond area that empower Black youth and young adults through education and capacity-building initiatives.

This funding program provides financial assistance to Texas-based nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries to hire professional artists for performances and workshops, enhancing community access to the arts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Missouri to improve their governance, operations, and strategic direction through the engagement of consultants for capacity-building projects.

The Greater Franklin Chamber of Commerce is offering a small business capacity-building grant program through its Franklin Chamber Foundation. This initiative aims to strengthen the economic and social growth of the Franklin community by supporting local small businesses, which are considered the foundation of the city. The program aligns with the Chamber's mission to assist in fortifying these essential businesses within the community. The target beneficiaries for this program are small businesses in Franklin with 10 or fewer full-time employees. The grant seeks to impact these businesses by providing financial assistance for various capacity-building initiatives. The overall goal is to enhance the resilience and growth potential of these small enterprises, thereby contributing to the broader economic vitality of Franklin. The program prioritizes initiatives that expand physical space, improve online presence, or bolster marketing efforts. Examples of capacity building include the development of user-friendly online shopping platforms, enhancement of point-of-sale systems, updating websites, increasing physical spaces, and implementing innovative marketing strategies. These focus areas are designed to provide tangible improvements that directly contribute to business growth and sustainability. The Franklin Chamber Foundation plans to award 12 grants, each valued at $2,500, to local small businesses. The expected outcome is that these grants will enable recipient businesses to implement crucial capacity-building projects, leading to increased operational efficiency, broader market reach, and ultimately, greater economic stability. While specific measurable results are not detailed beyond the number and amount of grants, the underlying theory of change is that direct financial support for strategic improvements will empower small businesses to thrive, reinforcing the community's economic fabric.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to postsecondary institutions in Michigan to develop systems and partnerships that help remove barriers for low-income students and those facing poverty, enabling them to complete their education.

This program provides financial support to public school districts and nonprofit organizations in rural Kansas and northwestern Missouri to establish or expand child care centers, enhancing their capacity and services for local families.

This program provides funding of up to $5,000 to local organizations in Grays Harbor County for quick-impact projects that address community needs, such as educational materials, food supplies, and essential items for shelters.

This program provides financial assistance to owners of historic buildings, non-profits, and community groups in Ellensburg, WA, to help preserve and restore historic properties and murals.

This funding opportunity provides up to $50,000 to support community improvements and emergency responder equipment for nonprofits, local governments, and civic organizations.

This program provides matching funds to cultural organizations to strengthen their operational resources and sustainability.

This funding opportunity supports innovative programs that improve college readiness, enrollment, and completion in Michigan communities, particularly those connected to Local College Access Networks.

This program provides funding to local governments and economic development organizations in Colorado to develop projects that attract semiconductor-related businesses, particularly in underrepresented and rural areas of the state.

This grant provides funding and volunteer support to nonprofit projects in Smith County that promote women's leadership and address community needs.

The Leland Fikes Foundation is accepting grant applications until October 9, 2024. The Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations in areas including reproductive health, civic engagement, and human services in the Dallas area. Their funding priorities include improving access to reproductive healthcare, strengthening democratic processes through public policy and advocacy, and addressing local community needs such as housing and health. The Foundation focuses on national, state-level (Texas), and local Dallas initiatives. Grants are not available for individuals or politically partisan groups. For more information, visit the Leland Fikes Foundation.

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) is offering funding through its Housing Grant Program to support initiatives that expand access to quality housing across the state. The program aims to strengthen Wisconsin’s communities by improving housing options for low- and moderate-income residents through new construction, property rehabilitation, and adaptive improvements. By supporting innovative projects that address local housing needs, WHEDA seeks to foster inclusive growth and enhance the overall livability of Wisconsin’s towns, cities, and rural areas. Grant funds may be used for a variety of development-related activities. Eligible uses include new construction, building or site acquisition, rehabilitation of existing properties, and modifications to improve handicapped accessibility. The program also supports building conversions or additions that increase the number of housing units available. Projects may range from revitalizing underused buildings to creating entirely new housing developments designed to meet local demand. However, funds cannot be used for activities such as feasibility studies, market analyses, down payment assistance, ongoing operational expenses, or costs incurred before the grant award date. Eligibility for this program extends to nonprofit organizations and cooperatives organized under Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 181, 185, or 187, as well as community development authorities, housing authorities, local governments, and Native American tribal authorities. Nonprofits and cooperatives must be in good standing with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions at the time of application. The program is designed to ensure equitable access, but applicants that have received consecutive grants in 2021, 2022, and 2023 are not eligible for the 2024 cycle, though they may reapply in 2025. Additionally, organizations with outstanding final reports from prior awards will not be considered until reporting is completed. Each grant is intended to support projects that can be completed within a one-year timeframe. WHEDA emphasizes accountability and sustainability in project delivery, requiring applicants to demonstrate that their initiatives will be completed efficiently and will have a measurable, positive impact on local housing outcomes. Projects should align with WHEDA’s mission to promote economic development through affordable, stable, and inclusive housing opportunities that benefit residents statewide. Through this grant program, WHEDA continues to invest in the long-term strength of Wisconsin communities by empowering local organizations to address pressing housing challenges. By funding efforts that enhance accessibility, preserve affordability, and stimulate economic activity through housing development, WHEDA reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that every Wisconsin resident has a place to call home.