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Capacity Building Grants
The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana’s Capacity Building Grants Program focuses on improving organizations’ operating capacity so that they may continue to provide their essential services to the community.
A capacity building grant is intended to allow an organization to highlight their vision and strategic planning efforts in order to grow and sustain their operations. Capacity building is not a one-time effort to improve short-term effectiveness, but rather a continuous improvement strategy toward the creation of a sustainable and effective organization.
The year-round program is intended to serve nonprofits in both Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana, with funding requests between $5,000 – $25,000 accepted quarterly.
What Priority Results Are We Looking For?
For these populations, we will work with our nonprofit partners to:
Eligible Types of Projects:
Funding for specific activities or projects designed to strengthen an organization’s governance, leadership, technology, programmatic evaluation, and administrative capacity. Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to:
Systems Assessment
Assessment of management and governance systems
Efficiency Evaluations
Evaluation of program and/or service effectiveness
Strategic Planning
Organizational strategic planning
Development
Board and/or staff development
Planning
Fund development planning
Succession Planning
Organizational succession planning
Tech Upgrades
Upgrades to organizational technology
Upgrading Systems
Establish or upgrading a volunteer management system
Communications
External communication strategy planning
Note: In rare cases, physical infrastructure projects may be essential to building the capacity necessary for a sustainable business model. This might include upgrades required for licensing, certification, or a quality or service rating that opens up access to revenue streams essential to a sustainable business model.
For a complete list of program details, eligible projects, and restrictions, please click here.
Who Can Apply?
Organizations that:
- Are a 501(c)(3) public charity in good standing with the IRS, or charitable projects that are fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) public charity in good standing with the IRS.
- Serve Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana.
- Have a request that will strengthen the organization’s efficiency, effectiveness, and/or sustainability.
Organizations that have received grants through other CFSI competitive grant programs within the last 12 months are eligible to apply for this program so long as they are in good standing and compliant with their current grant agreement.
What If I Still Have Questions About the Grant Process?
That’s ok! We have an information session video that might be able to help answer some of those questions. Please click the button below:
Or you can contact Crystal Gunther-Melcher, CFSI’s Vice President of Community Philanthropy, at 812-948-4662 or cgunther@cfsouthernindiana.com.