Private Capacity Building Grants

The GRC Bush Prize: Native Nations is an annual grant program designed to celebrate Native-led organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. This initiative seeks to recognize and support organizations with a proven track record of successfully addressing community challenges. The Giving Relatives Collaborative (GRC) aligns its mission with fostering innovation and community-powered solutions, providing flexible, general operating funds to support the ongoing work of these highly-valued Native-led entities. The target beneficiaries are Native-led organizations based in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or one of the 23 Native Nations within that geography. To be eligible, organizations must be legally incorporated with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status, or have a fiscal sponsor. A key criterion is that at least 60% of board members and senior leadership/ED must identify as Native. The program aims to empower these organizations to continue their vital work in Native communities. The program prioritizes organizations that support a culture of innovation and have a history of building creative, community-powered solutions. The grant provides flexible, general operating funds, allowing recipients to use the money in the way that best suits their needs, thereby directly supporting their ongoing good work. This approach reflects a strategic priority of providing adaptable resources that enable organizations to achieve their specific goals. Expected outcomes include strengthening Native-led organizations and enhancing their capacity to address community problems. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the grant amount (up to 25% of the organization’s last fiscal year expenses, with a maximum of $500,000), the overall impact goal is to foster sustained community problem-solving and innovation within Native communities. The GRC's theory of change appears to center on providing substantial, unrestricted funding to established Native-led organizations, trusting them to effectively utilize these resources to achieve positive and lasting change.

This program provides support and funding for nonprofit leaders of U.S.-based organizations focused on addressing community challenges, helping them scale their impact through mentorship, strategic planning, and a culminating pitch event.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to qualified nonprofits in the Metro Denver area to enhance their capacity and effectiveness through technical assistance activities.

The Envisioning Justice Grants program, supported by Illinois Humanities, focuses on leveraging the arts and humanities to foster a truly just society. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to create understanding about mass incarceration and its profound impact on communities throughout Illinois. By funding impactful initiatives that use creative and intellectual approaches, Illinois Humanities seeks to build more affirming, engaged, and empowered communities, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and just society. The program targets a diverse range of beneficiaries, specifically prioritizing currently or formerly incarcerated individuals, people serving long-term sentences, justice-involved young people, women (particularly women of color and/or those impacted by gendered violence), the LGBTQAI+ community, migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, immigrants, elderly populations, people with disabilities, and Indigenous populations. Furthermore, the grants prioritize projects that focus on communities that are sites of prisons or jails, experiencing significant incarceration, and/or undergoing significant demographic change due to the criminal legal system. The overarching impact goal is to facilitate understanding of mass incarceration and support those working to mitigate its effects. Envisioning Justice Grants prioritize projects that are regional or statewide in scope and partnership-oriented, emphasizing collaborative efforts to address complex issues. The funded initiatives include prison education programs, independent media, community dialogues, and conferences. These efforts are designed to create spaces for critical reflection, artistic expression, and humanistic inquiry, which are central to the foundation's strategic priorities. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond "create understanding" and "build more affirming, engaged, and empowered communities," the program implicitly aims for increased community engagement, enhanced public discourse on carceral issues, and improved conditions for affected populations. Organizations can apply for grants of up to $10,000, with no matching funds required, making the program accessible to a wide range of groups. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor, based anywhere in Illinois. While all Illinois applicants are eligible, individuals from East St. Louis, Decatur, Carbondale, Galesburg, Urbana-Champaign, and the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area are particularly encouraged to apply. This geographic focus, coupled with the thematic priorities, underscores Illinois Humanities' theory of change: that by supporting arts and humanities initiatives, particularly in highly impacted areas and among vulnerable populations, they can drive meaningful social change and foster a more just and informed citizenry.

The Robert & Patricia Endries Family Foundation seeks applications to benefit people in need in the Brillion area of Wisconsin. The foundation's mission aligns with supporting the vitality of the Brillion area and assisting disadvantaged individuals within the community. This grant program is designed to create a positive impact by addressing various critical needs, ensuring that residents have access to essential services and opportunities for well-being. The foundation prioritizes supporting the disadvantaged, specifically targeting the disabled, homeless, low-income individuals, single parents, troubled youth, and those suffering from chronic or mental illnesses. Additionally, it focuses on health and human services, including support for diabetes, cancer, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, and mental health. Religious causes with a spiritual purpose and sports or arts programming and sponsorships are also key areas of focus. The foundation's strategic priorities include supporting capital campaigns, particularly for "bricks and mortar" projects, and encouraging matching or challenge gifts to motivate additional giving. While not explicitly stated as "theory of change," the foundation's preference to support national organizations through local chapters serving Brillion residents indicates a strategy to leverage broader resources for local impact. Gifts are directed to specific programs or opportunities, rather than general operations, ensuring targeted impact. Expected outcomes include improved health outcomes for those with specific illnesses, enhanced quality of life for disadvantaged groups, and strengthened community vitality in Brillion through various programs. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the focus on direct program support suggests that successful applications will demonstrate clear objectives and the potential for positive, tangible changes within the community. The foundation's emphasis on local impact and specific areas of need demonstrates a clear, albeit implicit, theory of change centered on direct community investment and collaboration.

The Michigan Gateway Community Foundation is currently accepting grant applications for projects that benefit South Berrien and Cass Counties in Michigan. Grants are aimed at projects that promote the development or strengthening of community assets, have a long-term positive impact, lead to the prevention of recurring needs, encourage cooperation among organizations with related missions, and are financially sustainable without ongoing grant funding. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation before applying to understand the grantmaking process and requirements. Prior consultation with the foundation is strongly encouraged for applicants. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Summer deadline: August 1st

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Miami-Dade County that enhance existing programs and community outreach initiatives aimed at improving services for children and families.

This program provides solar panels and canopies to mission-driven nonprofits and houses of worship in Wisconsin, helping them reduce energy costs and promote renewable energy adoption in their communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Arkansas, North Texas, and West Texas to support initiatives that assist vulnerable or underserved populations in areas such as education, arts, and community development.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Lawrence area of Massachusetts that focus on essential needs like food security, clothing, shelter, and adult education, particularly benefiting the city of Lawrence.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Cochise and eastern Santa Cruz Counties that are developing innovative health and wellness projects to improve community well-being through collaboration and new approaches.

This grant provides funding for impactful projects that improve the lives of residents in eastern Christian County, specifically targeting 501(c)(3) organizations and other approved entities.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, public service entities, and government agencies serving the residents of Orcas Island, Washington, to enhance community-driven projects during the holiday season.

This program provides financial support to nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations worldwide that are developing innovative solutions to critical social issues, particularly for underserved communities.

This grant provides funding to humanities scholars and projects that focus on the histories and interests of marginalized communities, promoting innovative digital methods and community engagement.

This grant provides financial support to trans-led organizations worldwide, focusing on empowering grassroots efforts that advance the rights and wellbeing of trans communities.

This funding opportunity supports Illinois-based nonprofit organizations with planning and capacity-building initiatives that prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion in their public humanities programming.

This grant provides funding to small nonprofit organizations in Collier County, Florida, to strengthen their operational capacity and sustainability through various capacity-building initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports innovative projects that address systemic issues and foster community development in Greenwood County through collaborative and sustainable initiatives.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and public entities for innovative projects that improve the quality of life for residents in Onondaga and Madison counties, focusing on areas such as arts, education, health, and the environment.