Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits

The Vernon Hall Trust Grant supports charities in Southland, including Invercargill and Wallace, focusing on the care and welfare of infants, the aged, and individuals with physical or mental disabilities. Funded by Perpetual Guardian, this grant aims to enhance community welfare and support vulnerable populations. Eligible organizations are encouraged to apply for funding to further their charitable activities in these areas, fostering a stronger, more inclusive community.

The Statewide Community Re-grants Program, administered by the CREATE Council on the Arts, provides funds to empower individual artists in Columbia, Greene, and Schoharie Counties. Grants of $2,500 to $5,000 support artist-initiated projects that foster community engagement, creativity, and cultural diversity. The program emphasizes local involvement through a peer review panel, ensuring that community needs and aspirations are prioritized in the grant process, thus enriching the overall artistic landscape.

The Heather Dayton Memorial Scholarship, established by Heather's family in 2001, honors her memory by providing post-secondary financial support to students of Native American descent. This scholarship emphasizes diversity, community service, and a commitment to benefiting Native Americans. Eligible candidates must be graduating high school seniors with a demonstrated commitment to their community, and preference is given to students from select high schools in Virginia. The scholarship aims to promote educational opportunities and support for underrepresented students.

The More Joy Community Arts Grant supports initiatives that engage the New Orleans community through parading, public performances, and street-based activities rooted in local traditions. This grant aims to celebrate and promote the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans, particularly focusing on the contributions of Black Masking Indians and Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs. By funding exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs, the grant fosters community spirit and brings joy to neighborhoods through artistic expression.

The International Institute Funds Mini-Grant, offered by the Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley, provides grants of $500 or less to organizations in Mahoning and Trumbull counties aimed at preserving and promoting cultural heritage. Eligible activities include music, dance, art, food, and education. The foundation supports public charities as defined by the IRS and encourages collaborative efforts to enhance community well-being while ensuring integrity in resource management.

Mission

To empower worthy nonprofits by providing critically needed, unrestricted funding that helps them fulfill their missions with confidence and sustainability.

How We Serve Nonprofits

AmFund partners with nearly 800 organizations annually—supporting causes related to health, education, the arts, human services, animal welfare, and more. We’re known for our:

• Signature silent and live auctions featuring once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences.
• National reach with personalized service at events in all 50 states.
• Comprehensive marketing toolkits, onsite staff support, and beautifully displayed materials
• No-cost platform development for virtual and hybrid fundraising
• In-house travel specialists who provide custom planning, extensions, insurance, and 24/7 emergency support.
• Ongoing educational resources, grants, and consulting support for nonprofit development.

Request Support

Our model is built on relationship, trust, and results. Every trip sold, every service provided, and every donor interaction is designed to maximize your fundraising impact—without adding burden to your team.

Greater Salina Community Foundation

Our mission is to build permanent endowment funds and meet charitable community needs. The Foundation achieves its mission by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to fulfill their individual missions
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Promoting community philanthropy through education
• Providing affiliate services to neighboring communities
• Meeting needs through grants, scholarships, and pass-through funds

Solomon Valley Community Foundation

Solomon Valley Community Foundation's mission is to be a catalyst for positive change; engaging partners and inspiring local philanthropy. We leverage resources to overcome obstacles, create lasting legacies, and contribute to the strenth of Mitchell County.

Fine Arts Future Development Scholarship

The Fine Arts Future Development Scholarship supports two different areas of study:

• Higher education for graduating seniors
• Summer music camp for junior high or high school students

Fine Arts Future Development Summer Camp Scholarship

Junior and senior high school students in the Solomon Valley area, including Mitchell, Cloud, and Jewell Counties, that are pursuing a summer music or art camp.

Renewals: Scholarship recipients may reapply as part of the total applicant pool. ​

The Miami Foundation

We were established as the Dade Foundation in 1967, with our founders calling us “a living philanthropy in perpetuity.” In 1987, we were renamed Dade Community Foundation to better reflect our identity and mission. In 2010, we became The Miami Foundation, seizing on the strength of a placename that’s known across the globe.

Since 1967, The Foundation has invested over $772M to strengthen our community in partnership with more than 1,000 fundholders and 50,000 donors.

Esserman-Knight Journalism Awards

The Esserman-Knight Journalism Awards honor excellence in investigative and public service reporting that exposes injustice, elevates community voices and holds the powerful to account in South Florida.

Nominations are open to recognize journalists, student journalists, newsrooms, public media outlets, and documentary filmmakers for outstanding original local reporting about local issues within Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach or Monroe counties. 

Submissions may include:

• A single piece or a series of up to three related pieces
• Nominations are encouraged across different mediums, including print, digital, television, radio, podcasts, video, audio, data visualization, and documentary film (up to 120 minutes in length are eligible)

Anyone can nominate a journalist or team of journalists. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Submissions will be judged by the rigor of newsgathering, quality of storytelling, inclusion of community voices, and the impact on public understanding or action. Jurors include highly experienced professional journalists, members of the community and members of the Esserman family.

The awards recognize multiple forms of excellence in journalism, including accountability reporting, explanatory reporting, beat reporting, local community reporting, and student journalism. 

Who We Are

The humanities help us understand ourselves, our communities, and our histories. By increasing collective understanding, we can spark positive change and create a more just society.

We curate stories, co-create engagement opportunities, increase knowledge, and produce resources in the areas of education, civic renewal, immersive experiences, and public programming to catalyze ideas. Our grantmaking allows us to strengthen the bonds between us, celebrate our past and traditions, appeal to the best within ourselves, and educate the next generation of leaders.

Ethnic Media Grants

Through the State of Minnesota’s 2025-2027 biennial legislation and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (Legacy), the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) will administer $472,500 for ethnic media grants to ethnic media organizations that work to create, celebrate, and teach the art, culture, and heritage of the many diverse cultural groups that make up Minnesota, including but not limited to Indigenous organizations, communities whose culture and heritage have been historically underrepresented, recent immigrant communities, and veterans.

The Legislature in providing this funding is seeking to fund ethnic media organizations throughout Minnesota to create video content in a language other than English.

An applicant that receives funding under this grant opportunity must do at least one of the following:

• Preserve and honor the cultural heritage of Minnesota,
• Provide education and student outreach in cultural diversity,
• Support the development of culturally diverse humanities programming, including arts programming, or
• Empower communities in building identity and culture, including preserving and honoring communities whose Indigenous cultures are endangered or disappearing.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

The Creative Engagement Grants, offered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, support individual artists and nonprofit organizations in Manhattan. This funding program provides over $500,000 annually for diverse artistic projects, including performances, exhibitions, and workshops. Grants aim to foster community engagement through art, promoting a just and equitable society. First-time applicants must attend an information session to apply. This initiative highlights the importance of art in enriching local communities and cultural dialogue.

The Achille & Irene Despres, William & Andre Scholarship, offered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, supports high school seniors of Mexican heritage from Kent or Ottawa counties. With a minimum GPA of 2.75, recipients can pursue higher education in Michigan. The scholarship aims to eliminate barriers to success, providing financial assistance for tuition, books, and living expenses, thereby fostering academic ambition and community growth in West Michigan.

The DISC5 Awards, funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, aim to support innovative research in stem cell technologies that enhance patient care. Grants of up to $1.5 million for individual projects and $3 million for team efforts are available, with a project duration of up to three years. These awards encourage collaboration and focus on addressing critical knowledge gaps in regenerative medicine, promoting diversity and inclusivity in research.

The MSCRF Commercialization Program aims to advance human stem cell research for the prevention and treatment of diseases. It supports Maryland-based companies in developing technologies with commercial potential, offering up to $500,000 in funding for collaborative projects. The program encourages partnerships between public and private sectors to enhance research and technology development, emphasizing the importance of stem cell therapies in addressing critical health challenges.

The Anthony C. Gaffke Scholarship, offered by Montana State University, supports full-time undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture. Eligible candidates include sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 2.0 GPA, with preference given to graduates from Gallatin County high schools. This scholarship aims to enhance educational opportunities in agriculture, thereby contributing to the economic development of Montana and preparing students for impactful careers.

Jayden DeLuca Foundation

Dedicated to raising awareness for children’s heart defect and disease — the number one birth defect in the nation — The Jayden DeLuca Foundation is a testament to the life of Jayden Riley DeLuca.

In Jayden’s name, we are dedicated to supporting children and families facing the challenges of congenital heart defects and disease. We are committed to building a better future by providing financial support through our patient assistance fund, building a community of like families through sharing resources and providing encouragement to those navigating pediatric heart conditions and continuing to invest in dedicated heart research programs.

Our efforts create a meaningful impact — advancing medical and scientific research, improving access to treatment and amplifying awareness of cardiac diseases.

The funds we raise directly support pediatric heart research, treatment advancements and community programs, extending Jayden’s light and legacy far into the world.

Patient Assistance Fund

Our Patient Assistance Fund is dedicated to supporting families with financial support due to complications related to congenital heart disease. Financial assistance may include, but is not limited to:

• Travel assistance related to CHD medical care
• Medical bills related to CHD and not covered by insurance
• CHD specialized equipment not covered by insurance

Eligible applicants may be reimbursed up to $1,500 quarterly for expenses related to CHD complications. Applicants must submit corresponding receipts alongside their application to be considered for this reimbursement program.

The BIE Professional Examination Funding, provided by Native Forward Scholars Fund in partnership with BIE, offers financial assistance to support Native students in taking professional examinations, including Bar Examination funding. This award covers registration fees, preparatory course costs, and other exam-related expenses. Applicants must have graduated within one year and can only receive assistance for one exam. This initiative aims to empower Native scholars and enhance their professional visibility and opportunities.

The Fund for Women and Girls, established by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, aims to empower women and girls to lead fulfilling and safe lives. It supports organizations that provide educational and financial assistance, advocate for gender equity, and ensure safety from violence. Eligible projects include building repairs, legal services, and career development programs. Priority is given to services in Duluth and Superior, fostering community development and support for women and girls.

The Native Forward Community Impact Research Funding supports doctoral candidates conducting research that addresses issues affecting Indian Country. This initiative provides essential financial assistance for data collection, analysis, and research travel, ensuring that Native perspectives are included in academic discourse. By fostering the next generation of Native leaders, this funding aims to empower scholars and enhance community impact through education and advocacy, ultimately preserving and enriching Native cultures.

The OCASCR: Enabling Technology Grant supports Oklahoma Principal Investigators engaged in adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research. Established by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, this grant facilitates access to enabling technologies to enhance research competitiveness. Eligible applicants include those with current OCASCR or federal funding, aiming to improve their work through resources like animal models and genetic assays. This initiative aims to bolster vital research addressing critical health issues in Oklahoma.

The PVF Social Worker/CASA Grants program supports vulnerable youth in foster care by providing grants of up to $500 to Social Workers and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). These funds can address critical needs such as medical care, educational supplies, and extracurricular activities. Applications are open for the 2026-2027 school year, and eligible applicants include Social Workers and CASAs in various California counties. The Foundation is dedicated to innovative grantmaking that maximizes philanthropic impact.

The Native Forward CPA Examination Funding provides crucial financial assistance to American Indians and Alaska Natives for covering the costs associated with the CPA examination. This initiative empowers students and professionals to pursue CPA licensure by assisting with application, registration, and exam fees. Eligible applicants can receive support for one section of the exam at a time, ensuring access to essential resources for advancing their careers and contributing positively to their communities.

The County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Planning Grant, offered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, provides funding to counties for the development or updating of agricultural and farmland protection plans. Eligible counties can receive up to $50,000 or 50% of total project costs. This initiative supports local governments in creating planning documents that foster a favorable environment for agriculture and safeguard the farmland base, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.

Provident Health Foundation of Marinette-Menominee Inc.

The Provident Health Foundation was created in 2019 as part of the final agreement between Advocate Aurora Health and Bay Area Medical Center that made the hospital a wholly-owned member of the Advocate Aurora system with a big vision for community health.

How we fund is evolving as we become more established and as we listen and respond to the needs of our community, both the residents of these counties and the nonprofits with which we partner. Our philosophy of operating is born from the vision of health for Marinette and Menominee Counties that we have written into our bylaws and evidence-based best practices for private foundations on how to achieve that vision. The Provident Health Foundation Board of Directors codifies that in a Strategic Plan for Provident every three years.

Provident Health Foundation Sponsorships

The purpose of the Provident Health Foundation is to improve and sustain the health and well being of the people who live in Marinette and Menominee Counties and ensure them access to affordable quality acute hospital care. Provident Health Foundation's mission is to serve those in Marinette and Menominee counties.  

Provident awards a limited number of event and program sponsorships each year. These sponsorships will consist of either a monetary donation of up to $250 or a raffle item/fabulous prize for your event. 

The Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Pre-Applications program, funded by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, seeks innovative proposals to combat Huanglongbing (HLB) and its associated diseases. This initiative aims to ensure sustainable citrus production in the U.S. through collaborative strategies that leverage existing knowledge. Funded projects will focus on developing actionable solutions for growers to effectively manage and prevent HLB infections, ensuring the health of citrus crops in the near future.

The Native Forward Direct Scholarship supports American Indian and Alaska Native students by providing mid-year funding opportunities to alleviate educational costs. With over 50 years of experience, Native Forward has empowered more than 22,000 students from diverse backgrounds. This scholarship recognizes the limited access these students face in higher education and aims to enhance their academic journeys while fostering community engagement and mentorship through a strong alumni network.

The Seymour Siegel Youth Achievement Award, offered by the Jewish Community Foundation, provides financial support for high school students pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training. Open to applicants of the Jewish faith, this award prioritizes those from single-parent households, orphans, or foster children. Interested candidates must submit a personal narrative detailing their qualifications. The foundation, established in 1979, is a leading community resource in South Jersey, managing over $35 million in assets.