Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants

PURPOSE

Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants strengthen nonprofits with funding to “build and strengthen the systems, structures, cultures, skills, resources, and power that they need to serve their communities.” (“Transformation Capacity Building,” SSIR. 2020)

The grant program funds focused efforts to improve an organization’s effectiveness and sustainability– both now and into the future. Applications should include capacity-building projects that improve an identified area of organizational capacity, including (but not limited to):

• collaboration capacity

• communications capacity

• data management capacity

• equity capacity

• evaluation capacity

• financial management capacity

What is capacity building?
Quite simply, capacity building means focused efforts to make an organization better at its mission—now and into the future.

The Quad Cities Community Foundation funds nonprofit capacity building projects: activities carried out in a set period of time and designed to increase the capabilities, knowledge, and resources—like those listed above—that all organizations need in order to be successful.

By funding capacity building projects, we are investing in the ability of a nonprofit to deliver its mission effectively well into the future. Capacity building is an investment in the effectiveness and future sustainability of a nonprofit.

(Adapted from Council of Nonprofits and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations)

APPLICATION PROCESS

All pre-applications (LOI) and grant applications are submitted through our online grant system for both spring and fall cycles. You may also preview the LOI and Application.

To apply for a Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant:

• First, complete a pre-application (LOI) form with basic information about the organization and proposed project. The LOIs are reviewed and scored by Community Foundation staff and the chair of the Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants committee. The LOIs are assessed first for eligibility and, depending on the number of LOIs submitted, for strength and fit with the program, so that the strongest 15-20 LOIs are invited to submit a full application.

• Second, invited organizations submit full applications, which are reviewed and scored by the full committee.

• We’re here to help you make your best case for your grant application! QCCF staff are available to answer questions, discuss ideas, and even read draft applications throughout the process.

Eligibility

All of the following qualities are required in order for an application to be considered for funding. Not sure if this means you? Please contact us, we’re happy to help you figure it out.

Eligible nonprofit organizations:

• Must be located in or serve residents of Rock Island and/or Scott Counties.

• Must provide a charitable community benefit. This includes any of the following:

  • Organizations with 501(c)3 public charity status (typical nonprofit organizations) or other nonprofit organizations.

  • Organizations without 501c3 public charity status should have either a fiscal sponsor or agree to provide a financial report about how the funds were used.

  • Individuals and for-profit businesses are not eligible for this grant.

• May only receive a Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant once every three calendar years.

• Applications must be for one of the following eligible capacity-building activities:

  • Board training and education

  • Critical equipment

  • Staff training

  • Strategic planning

  • Succession planning

  • Technology/software

  • Other assessment, consulting, or facilitation that improves an identified area of organizational capacity.

• Please follow the link to our webpage What We Look For to read information on "general grant program eligibility requirements" and "areas not funded by grant programs."

• Organizations must comply with our Diversity and Non-Discrimination Policy.

Eligible and ineligible costs:

• The grantee may request that the amount awarded be paid in a single year, or be structured as a multi-year grant over two or three years.

• This grant program does not support capital projects, vehicles, furniture, ongoing operational or program delivery costs, consumable supplies, food/beverages for meetings or events, or the costs associated with filing for 501c3 status.

• The first year only of technology costs that will become “ongoing”, such as software licensing costs, may be considered.

• Reasonable travel and per diem costs may be considered as a part of one of the eligible capacity-building activities.

• In limited circumstances, staff salaries may be considered eligible if:

  • the organization can show how an existing or temporary staff member will devote specific time to achieving the capacity-building project, in a similar way to a consultant and

  • the organization can show financial need to offset other support for that staff member – for example, that staff member is usually funded by a restricted source that will not pay for the time to engage in this capacity-building project.

• Salaries to carry out existing, new, or increased program delivery and operational activities are not eligible.

• Grant funding can only be used for future expenses. We are not able to fund projects that have already been completed.

Projects might include – but are not limited to:

• Improving fundraising and asset development capacity through technology, planning, training, and evaluation

• Board and Staff training in DEI to provide more equitable and inclusive services

• Leadership training for executive staff to develop organizational mission and strategy

• Strategic and succession planning for organizational sustainability

• Feasibility study to determine financial capacity for upcoming capital campaign

• Software updates to improve data and financial management

• Critical equipment to advance organization’s mission and strategy

• Organizational evaluation to identify future strategic priorities

Evaluation Criteria

These are the factors that the grant decision committee will use to determine, from all the applications we receive, which will be funded. Some applications will be stronger on some factors than others – that’s okay. These criteria consider the value of the capacity-building project to the organization and the value of the organization to the community.

Our granting strategy is to fully fund awardees to allow completion of the project.

• Mission: The organization’s mission and impact are valuable to the Quad Cities community. Higher-scored applications demonstrate how the organization meets an identified community need.

• Equity: The organization, and if applicable the capacity-building project, advances racial and other forms of equity in the Quad Cities region through its actions and its leadership. Higher-scored applications demonstrate how the people served by the organization are welcomed, included, and engaged in the decisions that affect them, and if applicable, how the capacity-building project will improve the organization’s ability to do so.

• Impact of Capacity Building Project: The organization clearly identifies the area of capacity that the project will improve and its benefit to the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission. Higher-scored applications are clear and precise in their description of why the capacity-building project is necessary and what difference it will make for the organization.

• Priorities and Timing: The organization demonstrates that this capacity-building project is a priority for them now and that this is an important time to undertake the project. Higher-scored applications may show that some planning has already been done and that the organization will be ready to take on the capacity-building project if funded.

• Project plan: The capacity building project plan is clear and achievable, with clear and measurable goals. Higher-scored applications have a realistic timeline for the completion of the project, with individuals identified as project team leaders, and clearly state how the organization will know that the project has been successful.

• Leverage: The organization, and if applicable the capacity building project, engages and utilizes other resources such as funding sources, volunteers, and community partnerships. Higher-scored applications demonstrate that the organization is connected to the community, and the capacity building project may improve their ability to do so.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

We’re here to help you to be as successful as you can with your grant application. To discuss if your project is the right fit, contact:

Kaleigh Trammell / email

Call (563) 326-2840

WATCH the info session

Final Reports

Please complete a final report when you have finished your project, or by the following year's application due date, whichever is sooner. Organizations who elect to receive their grants over two or three years will be asked to provide interim reports each year. Reports are completed in the same online system you submitted your application. 

Click here to log in and complete an interim or final report for a Nonprofit Capacity Building grant. 

Learn about past grant recipients