Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits

Community Foundation Serving Howard : Impact Grants

This opportunity invites you to pursue a bold, high-impact initiative that could significantly strengthen outcomes for our communities. 

The Community Foundation of Howard County is excited to announce the release of its 2026 Impact Grant Opportunity. This unique, one-time funding opportunity invites nonprofit organizations serving Howard County to dream boldly by asking one inspiring question: What would it take to elevate your impact? Many organizations have ideas that could meaningfully enhance services, expand reach, or solve persistent challenges, but require resources beyond their annual operating budgets. This opportunity invites you to pursue a bold, high-impact initiative that could significantly strengthen outcomes for the community. We encourage applicants to envision projects that move our community forward in meaningful and innovative ways. What could your organization achieve with $100,000 or more?

How much should you request?

• Total funding pool: $1,500,000
• Minimum grant request: $100,000
• No formal maximum; however, requests should reflect true costs
• Multiple awards are anticipated

The CCCF General Operating Support Grants provide multi-year, unrestricted funding to eligible nonprofits, enabling them to enhance their operational capacity and better serve historically under-invested communities. With a grant amount of $30,000, distributed as $10,000 per year for up to three years, nonprofits can utilize the funds for various operational needs. Organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria, including a budget under $450,000 and a physical presence in the CCCF's service area.

The Vision Grants by Illinois Humanities support nonprofit organizations in Illinois, focusing on planning, evaluation, and DEI initiatives. These grants aim to foster community engagement through workshops, research, and interactive programming. Organizations with an annual budget of $1 million or less are prioritized, and funds can be used for training and collaboration efforts. The initiative emphasizes equitable growth and aims to strengthen organizations' capacities to serve diverse communities.

The Community Investment Fund Grant, offered by Federated Co-operatives Limited, supports charitable programs in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg. This fund is designed for registered non-profit organizations that are making a positive impact in their communities. Employee-led committees administer the grants, ensuring that funding aligns with local needs and priorities. Projects that promote well-being and community development are encouraged to apply, while certain restrictions apply to eligibility.

The Allied Arts and Humanities Grant, provided by the Bartlesville Community Foundation, aims to bolster cultural organizations in the greater Bartlesville area. This funding opportunity is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering arts and humanities programming, particularly encouraging innovative projects that reach underserved communities. With a focus on sustainable community growth, the grant supports both program-specific and general operational needs, ensuring a vibrant cultural landscape for all residents.

Nikon USA is dedicated to supporting innovative initiatives that align with its marketing strategies and community impact. They seek sponsorship proposals that demonstrate unique ideas, enhancing brand engagement and consumer reach. However, applicants must be over 18 and submit requests at least six months prior to their program. Nikon prioritizes USA-based entities and cannot support individual projects or certain causes. For more details, please submit your request through their designated online form.

The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation's Jasper County Community Endowment supports charitable initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Jasper County, Illinois. By investing in local projects, the foundation aims to cultivate a culture of philanthropy and strengthen community ties. Organizations seeking funding must be tax-exempt public charities serving the area and possess a clear charitable purpose. This endowment exemplifies a commitment to sustainable community development and long-term philanthropic impact.

The Crossroads Fund's Community Resilience Fund aims to support grassroots organizations in Chicago as they navigate urgent challenges and advocate for justice. Evolving from the Critical Response Fund, it focuses on equipping communities with resources to respond to public policy shifts, host trainings, and strengthen security. Priority is given to organizations demonstrating a commitment to social justice and community leadership, ensuring a swift, strategic response to pressing needs in a tumultuous socio-political landscape.

About Us

For more than 100 years, Duquesne Light Company has provided safe and reliable electric service to communities in southwestern Pennsylvania. Today, our core values of safety, integrity, dependability, equity and community enable us to serve more than 600,000 customers in two counties, including the city of Pittsburgh. We are committed to safely powering our customers’ lives while playing a leading role in our region’s clean energy transition. Our vision is to create a larger-than-light, clean energy future for all by delivering exceptional results today and boldly harnessing opportunities for tomorrow. In doing so, we can ensure a cleaner, healthier and more equitable community for generations to come.

Charitable Giving at Duquesne Light

Our Charitable Giving Grants Program is designed to help communities most affected by the rising cost of living—especially those burdened by high energy expenses. By prioritizing funding for nonprofit organizations helping individuals and families meet their basic needs and access high quality workforce development opportunities, we aim to reduce financial strain and promote long-term economic stability for residents across our service area.

Sponsorships

Duquesne Light Company is proud to support local events that strengthen and uplift our community. To be considered for sponsorship, all requests must be submitted through our online form. Please allow 4–6 weeks for our team to review your submission. Because of this timeline, we’re typically unable to sponsor events occurring within 30 days of the request. For questions regarding sponsorships, please email sponsorships@duqlight.com.

The William & Helen Doyle/Exchange Club Fund Community Service Award Grant, offered by the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, supports charitable and educational initiatives in the Sturgis area. This grant aims to enhance the quality of life by funding projects in various sectors, including arts, education, and health. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities. One competitive grant cycle is held annually, promoting community development and engagement.

About Us

What We Do

Every day, we connect people who want to make a difference with opportunities to strengthen our community. Through philanthropy, partnerships, and leadership, we help turn generosity into lasting impact across the Midlands and beyond.

Since 1984, Central Carolina Community Foundation has helped donors, nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders work together to address today's challenges while building resources for tomorrow. We believe lasting change happens when people, ideas, and investments come together around a shared purpose.

Sumter Community Foundation

Grant Summary

Sumter Community Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations working to strengthen Sumter County. Guided by local leadership, grants invest in projects and programs that address community needs, expand opportunity and improve quality of life for residents.

The Shavlik Family Foundation Grant focuses on funding innovative technology projects that enhance the operational efficiency of nonprofits and Tribal governments in Minnesota. With a commitment to transparency and continuous improvement, the foundation aims to support impactful projects that demonstrate measurable benefits. Eligible organizations must be recognized as 501(c)(3) public charities or Tribal governments, working to improve the lives and environment of Minnesota residents. The grant process encourages discussion of proposals with foundation staff.

St. Charles Health System offers sponsorships to support charities that align with its mission of promoting community health and well-being. Proposals can be submitted year-round, with reviews occurring three times annually. Events must provide visibility for St. Charles and be vetted for inclusivity. Special consideration is given to health-related projects and those involving St. Charles caregivers. This initiative reflects a commitment to community engagement and enhancing the quality of life in Central Oregon.

Department of Economic and Community Development

At DECD, we are more than two dozen experts whose broad mission is to help communities and businesses prosper through a variety of programs providing everything from targeted tax relief to community block grants to tourism marketing. Whether your business wants to make a film here, bring a Maine-made product to market, expand an aquaculture project, or explore financing when moving a business to our state, our experienced staff can help.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program 

In 1982 the State of Maine began administering the CDBG Program to assist units of local government in various community projects in areas ranging from infrastructure, housing, downtown revitalization to public facilities and economic development.

CDBG Objectives

All CDBG funded activities must meet one of three National Objectives of the program. These objectives are:

• Benefit to low- and moderate-income persons.
• Prevention and/or elimination of slum and blight conditions; and
• Meeting community development needs having a particular urgency

The Maine CDBG Program serves as a catalyst for local governments to implement programs which meet one of the three National Objectives, and:

• Are part of a long-range community strategy, or State of Maine Strategic Economic Development Plan
• Improve deteriorated residential and business districts and local economic conditions
• Provide the conditions and incentives for further public and private investments
• Foster partnerships between groups of municipalities, state and federal entities, multi-jurisdictional organizations, and the private sector to address common community and economic development problems; and
• Minimize development sprawl consistent with the State of Maine Growth Management Act and support the revitalization of downtown areas.

CDBG Special Projects Program

The Special Projects Program provides funds to projects that are not funded through the normal CDBG application process. SP funds will be used for alternative OCD grant activities and partnerships that meet the community or economic development needs of municipalities and CDBG National Objectives in the State of Maine. Approval for the use of SPMF funds is through the Director, Office of Community Development.

Funding for this program may be available based upon redistribution, reallocation and/or additional allocation from HUD.

The William G. & Myrtle Hess Charitable Trust Grant supports Catholic charitable organizations in Oakland County, MI, with a focus on Waterford and White Lake Townships. This grant emphasizes education and scientific endeavors. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS tax code, while individuals are not permitted to apply. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare through financial assistance to deserving causes.

The Mary E. and Curtis M. Chappell Jr. Fund, administered by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, supports arts and humanities activities on the Virginia Peninsula. Grants range from $1,000 to $1,200 for arts projects and from $5,000 to $10,000 for high schools. The foundation has a rich history of giving, contributing over $344 million since its inception in 1950. Notably, it has established numerous scholarships and grants to bolster community initiatives.

The Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund is a pioneering initiative empowering youth and intergenerational organizations to shape the responsible technology movement. With $1.5 million in funding, it offers grants between $25,000 and $200,000 to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities. The fund focuses on enhancing human rights, addressing social issues through tech, and ensuring equitable access, while encouraging innovative and equitable solutions from youth-led initiatives.

The Myrtle And William Hess Charitable Trust Grant provides funding to Catholic charitable organizations focused on education and scientific initiatives in Oakland County, MI, with a specific preference for those in Waterford and White Lake Townships. This grant is exclusively available to nonprofit organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS tax code. Individuals are not eligible to apply for this grant.

The Ariane Condellis Fellowship at the Gennadius Library supports Turkish nationals researching intercommunal relationships and social history during the Byzantine or Ottoman periods. The fellowship offers a stipend of $11,500, room and board, and requires full-time engagement in research from September 2026 to May 2027. The Gennadius Library, with over 150,000 titles, serves as a comprehensive resource for the study of Greek culture and history, enhancing academic exploration in these fields.

Community Support Grant Program

The Cortez City Council endeavor to promote community support organizations through this grant process. Community support organizations may receive grants to support activities and programs that are accessible to the City of Cortez community and encourage the development of healthy community organizations that provide programs for citizen welfare and education in the region. 

Grant requests for $5,000 or less shall be made using the City of Cortez’ grant application.

The Central Energy Trust offers event funding to support major activities in the Manawatu/Tararua region. Grants are available for projects that are energy-related and benefit the community or promote economic development. The Trust aims to ensure that any profits from these events support charitable organizations, thereby enhancing community welfare and promoting energy conservation. This initiative reflects the Trust's commitment to fostering sustainable energy practices and community engagement.

Coast Central Credit Union

As a credit union with a People Helping People approach, we reinvest in you, local organizations, small businesses, and our CCCU family. It’s how we work toward bringing community together.

Community Investment Grant

With thanks to our members, we award $300,000 in grants annually to deserving organizations.

Our Community Investment Program provides grants to local non-profit organizations twice per year. An employee committee reviews all applications and then makes recommendations to our Board of Directors who approves grant recipients.

The Color the Curb: School Safety Program invites District-based artists to create large-scale murals at intersections near three DC Public Schools in Washington, DC. Funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities in collaboration with local government and education departments, this initiative encourages community engagement and artistic expression while enhancing school safety. Artists must meet specific eligibility criteria, including residency and previous funding history, to apply for this grant aimed at fostering youth engagement through art.

The Nagel Foundation Grant supports non-profits in southwest Idaho by providing financial assistance to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations. The Foundation has a selective grant-making process, focusing on community enrichment through education and service. It does not fund political campaigns, projects outside southwest Idaho, or grants to individuals. This targeted approach ensures that funds are allocated effectively to benefit the local community.

The Watauga County Community Foundation, established in 1991, supports local philanthropic efforts through grants, building community assets via permanent endowments. The Armfield and Rachel Rivers Coffey Memorial Fund, part of this foundation, focuses on aiding the Watauga Humane Society and the foundation itself. Grants typically range from $500 to $5,000, with $30,000 awarded in 2023. This program empowers local organizations to address pressing community needs through competitive funding opportunities.

The Initiative Foundation's Emerging Needs Grants offer vital support to nonprofits in Central Minnesota facing unexpected challenges. These grants enable organizations to stabilize and adapt, ensuring they continue to meet pressing community needs. With a focus on immediate impact, the funding is available to 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in the region, allowing them to address service gaps and enhance their operations during crises.