Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits

Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) was established in 2023 to create more homes and lower housing costs for Massachusetts residents. HLC also distributes funding to municipalities, oversees the state-aided public housing portfolio, and supports programming for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

HLC offers programs to help prevent homelessness and to help people afford housing. It also offers housing programs and financial assistance for municipalities, local housing authorities, non-profit organizations, and developers. HLC administers programs for people seeking shelter, affordable housing and home energy assistance, as well as for developers, municipalities and others. 

Community Planning Grant Program

The Community Planning Grant Program (CP) awards funds that may be used for a variety of activities related to community planning, such as a community plan, zoning revision, or planning for housing. As planning and zoning grants, funds must support direct community engagement efforts to involve community members in the planning process and/or produce planning or zoning document(s) and/or related materials in draft, phased, or final product form.

The CP awards a maximum grant of $150,000 to single applicants. Funding over this maximum will only be considered for joint and regional applications on a case-by-case basis, at EOHLC’s discretion, based on project need, outcomes, impact, and scope of engagement plan and implementation. Applicants are encouraged to conduct due diligence to determine accurate estimates of project costs to better understand actual costs of the proposed project.

The Student Conference at the United States Naval Academy (NAFAC) invites Harvard undergraduates to engage in vital discussions on US foreign and international affairs. This three-day event, held in Annapolis, Maryland, gathers over 150 students nationwide to collaboratively devise solutions to pressing global challenges. The Weatherhead Center for International Affairs supports two undergraduates by covering conference fees and contributing to transportation costs, fostering academic growth and networking opportunities.

The Huether/Gillan Scholarship, established by the Niskayuna Community Foundation, supports community-minded students from Niskayuna or its school district. This need-based scholarship aims to assist those pursuing higher education while emphasizing academic achievement and community service. Mr. Huether initiated this scholarship in honor of his parents, promoting values of dignity, diversity, impact, inclusion, innovation, and integrity. Interested applicants should contact Mr. Vince Bianchi for further details.

The Rural Healthcare Facility Recruitment Assistance Program, managed by the South Dakota Department of Health, offers $10,000 incentives to health professionals who commit to three years of service in small communities (populations under 10,000). Applications are accepted from May 1 to December 31, and facilities are encouraged to apply early due to limited slots. Eligible professionals include various licensed healthcare workers and must be employed full-time by participating facilities.

The Cyprus Tohono Corporation Four Year Scholarship, funded by Freeport-McMoRan, supports Tohono O’odham Nation members in Arizona pursuing higher education. Two scholarships cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board for up to four years at accredited institutions. Recipients must engage in the Success Services Program, maintaining a 2.5 GPA and full-time enrollment. Preference is given to Tohono O’odham members, with annual renewals contingent on academic performance.

The Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation offers Clinical Research Grants to support advancements in the treatment and understanding of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Focused on organizations with IRS tax-exempt status, these grants aim to enhance mental health services and research. By funding initiatives in cognitive and behavioral sciences, the foundation seeks to improve the lives of those affected by serious mental illness, ensuring they receive the support and resources necessary for a better quality of life.

The Hope for the Journey Foundation for Cancer Treatment Support, backed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers vital non-medical financial assistance to cancer patients and their families. This support is crucial for those navigating the challenges of cancer treatment, ensuring that they can focus on their health and well-being. The foundation prioritizes applicants from specific counties in Missouri, helping local families during their difficult journeys.

The Cooperative Development Fund Grant supports cooperative development, research, and technical assistance for cooperatives focused on seniors, international development, and affordable housing. Grants, typically ranging from $20,000 to $30,000, are awarded once a year, with a two-stage application process: a concept paper followed by a full proposal for selected applicants. Up to two grants are awarded annually, with decisions announced shortly after the Advisory Board meeting in January.

Arizona Department of Agriculture

The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) protects consumer safety, facilitates commerce, promotes equity in the Arizona marketplace, and safeguards market access both domestically and internationally through a variety of inspection, licensing, and certification programs involving plants, livestock, meat, dairy, vegetables, citrus, fruit, eggs, feed, fertilizer, seed, agricultural and non-agricultural pesticides, packaged consumer goods, retail pricing, and commercial weighing and measuring devices. AZDA protects and guards against the risks associated with the entry and spread of plant and livestock pests and diseases. AZDA protects environmental resiliency through education and training programs to assure safe pesticide use and on-farm food safety, and assists in attaining air quality standards. AZDA maintains a state lab for testing agricultural samples and a lab for ensuring the accuracy of weights and measurement tools. AZDA provides non-regulatory assistance to members of the agricultural community and administers agricultural grant programs.

Section 6 - Segment 32 Grant Program

Program Background

The Section 6 Grant Program is funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Traditional Conservation Grants Program Region 2 which is established under the authority of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, 16 U.S.C. § 1535. This program supports the development and implementation of State programs to conserve and recover threatened and endangered species under USFWS jurisdiction.

Because many listed species spend at least part of their life cycle on non-Federal lands, USFWS recognizes that conservation success depends heavily on working cooperatively with States. In Arizona, the AZDA collaborates with the USFWS to manage and allocate Section 6 funding specifically for rare plants.

Eligible projects consist of habitat restoration/enhancement, surveys and inventories, plant propagation, genetic research (population health and structure), and monitoring/demography studies.

Matching Requirement: Applicants are required to provide matching funds in the form of cash or in-kind contribution of no less than 40%.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department provides outdoor recreational opportunities by managing and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat and acquiring and managing parklands and historic areas. It has inherited the functions of many state entities created to protect Texas' natural resources.

Mission: To manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Grants

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program is a competitive grant initiative under the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act, aimed at enhancing parks, recreational opportunities, and conservation areas in underserved, urban areas. These investments enable urban communities to create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and form connections between people and the outdoors.

Managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the nationally competitive ORLP program provides matching grants (up to 50% of total project costs) to assist communities with little to no access to outdoor recreation opportunities in urban areas. Funds can be used for the acquisition and/or development of, or substantial renovation of public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces. Development should encompass essential public outdoor recreation activities and the necessary support facilities for public use. Projects could involve a combination of land acquisition and site development. These projects can cater to a diverse range of public outdoor recreation activities and facilities required to enhance the use and enjoyment for the public. These include, and are not limited to community parks, campgrounds, playgrounds, sport fields and courts, picnic facilities, trails, etc. While facilities that support the use of the recreating public, such as restroom, visitor contact infrastructure, and maintenance facilities can be eligible, most indoor recreation and other buildings such as nature centers, community centers, or education center are ineligible for funding.

Only State Lead Agencies are eligible to submit applications for ORLP grants. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is the State Lead Agency. TPWD may submit on behalf of themselves or an eligible sub-recipient.

ORLP projects must meet two eligibility criteria: The required population in census tracts is set at 25,000 people and the project must be within an underserved community.

The Sitka Legacy Foundation Competitive Grant Program, an initiative of The Alaska Community Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of life for residents of Sitka and surrounding rural communities. The program supports a diverse range of projects focusing on health and wellness, education, arts and culture, and community development. Priority is given to applications that demonstrate collaboration among organizations and have the potential for broad community impact, ultimately fostering a stronger, more connected community.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation's Healthy Start Grant Program aims to enhance early childhood care and education by funding tax-exempt nonprofits, Tribal Nations, and fiscally sponsored groups in Minnesota. With a total of $2 million over two years, grants of up to $100,000 per year will support initiatives to improve access to quality care, screenings, and family support services, ultimately addressing health inequities and fostering healthy development for vulnerable children.

The Quality of Life Grant, funded by Lehigh County, aims to enhance community well-being through civic, cultural, and recreational initiatives. This grant supports volunteer-based activities that promote citizen engagement and participation in the arts and physical wellness. By fostering opportunities for meaningful involvement, the grant seeks to improve the overall quality of life for residents, making it a vital resource for community development and enrichment.

The Cultural Assets Program Special Events Partnership Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Hillsborough County, focusing on arts and cultural events that foster community engagement and economic growth. The grant aims to enhance cultural assets by facilitating events that tell the County's story and enrich residents' lives. Funding is competitive, with a maximum award of $100,000, encouraging projects that leverage additional financial support while meeting specific eligibility criteria.

Supporting Career Shifters

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has authorized the use of one million dollars ($1,000,000) in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds to develop career exploration initiatives serving participants who want to shift careers to a Targeted or High Demand Occupation.

Eligible Applicants under this Application are the Texas Local Workforce Development Boards. Applicants, that are not a Texas Local Workforce Development Board will be disqualified and will not be evaluated.

The Student Research Grant in Audiology, offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation, supports doctoral students conducting research in clinical and rehabilitative audiology. Up to three grants of $2,000 each are available for eligible students enrolled in accredited programs in the U.S. This initiative honors the legacies of Ira Ventry and Brad Friedrich, who made significant contributions to the field of audiology. Interested candidates must submit proposals for research projects to be initiated in this vital area.

About Us

Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Inc. is a public, 501-C-3 charity. There are 30 community foundations in Wisconsin and more than 750 in the nation. The purpose of all community foundations is to accumulate charitable dollars that impact a specific geographic region in areas such as education, the arts, economic development, recreation, environmental protection, health care, and social services. They may be relatively small, as we are (assets of $14 million), or very large, as is the Greater Milwaukee Foundation (assets over $400 million).

Most people are familiar with private foundations, established by individuals, families, or corporations. Typically, in order to establish a private foundation, one has to have considerable wealth. You could say Community Foundations are much more democratic. We are, in a sense, an umbrella foundation containing many small foundations. We call those small foundations “funds.”

Marshfield Area Community Foundation Scholarships

The mission of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation is “Connecting people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in the Marshfield area”. Education is a valuable tool and a cause that matters to all of us. Through assisting students with financial support to receive an education, not only do students and the families of those students benefit, but also our community benefits, which further allows us to achieve our mission of enriching the quality of life in the Marshfield area.

Tom Drendel Memorial Scholarship (2025)

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

With over 38 million residents (12 percent of the US population), the State of California is the most populous state in the nation and has the third largest land area among the states (163,695 square miles). California is culturally, ethnically, economically, ecologically, and politically diverse, and maintains the eighth largest economy in the world with 13 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. California also faces numerous risks and threats to our people, property, economy, environment and is prone to earthquakes, floods, significant wildfires, prolonged drought impacts, public health emergencies, cybersecurity attacks, agricultural and animal disasters, as well threats to homeland security. Cal OES takes a proactive approach to addressing these risks, threats, and vulnerabilities that form the basis of our mission and has been tested through real events, as well as comprehensive exercises that help us maintain our state of readiness to plan for and mitigate impacts.

Intimate Partner Violence Prevention (FD) Program Supplemental

Purpose

To create or expand Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Assault, and Teen Dating Violence prevention programs.

Description

The purpose of the Intimate Partner Violence Prevention (FD) Program is to prevent intimate partner violence, including teen dating violence, and sexual assault.

Requires Matched Funding: 20%

The Clifford and Carol Rufenach Scholarship at Montana State University supports incoming Montana freshmen pursuing degrees in STEM fields. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA. Founded in 1893, MSU is the state's largest public research university, dedicated to education and research, and aims to foster student success and community engagement. The scholarship provides varying award amounts to help students achieve their academic goals.

General Program Development Funds

Each year WHOI Sea Grant allocates part of its budget for Program Development (PD) funds. The National Sea Grant Office allows state programs to award these funds to enhance their strategic plan goals. Typical awards are $1,000 - $5,000. Projects exceeding $5,000 should be discussed with the Woods Hole Sea Grant director prior to submission.

Awards are generally for small research projects and proof-of-concept with the intent of seeding an idea for later development into larger funding proposals. Other credible uses of these funds include extension, education, communications, travel, graduate student support, and workshops or conferences. Applicants must express how the proposed project will add value to WHOI Sea Grant’s research, extension, education, and outreach efforts in the program’s current strategic focus areas. The WHOI Sea Grant management team will make decisions on Program Development awards two times per year.

Target Allocation

These funds will be provided to projects that align with WHOI Sea Grant’s strategic goals and objectives. Development funds are limited such that we often have many more requests for funding than we can support.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers Family Literacy Grants to nonprofit organizations that support family literacy initiatives. Eligible applicants must provide services such as adult education, children's education, and parent-child engagement activities. Organizations must be located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store and have a valid IRS tax ID. This funding aims to enhance literacy skills for families, empowering individuals to achieve their educational goals.

The Kuni Foundation's Imagination Planning Grant focuses on addressing the urgent need for quality, affordable housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Oregon and Washington. With funding ranging from $15,000 to $75,000, the grant supports organizations dedicated to developing inclusive housing solutions. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profits committed to serving the IDD community, ensuring that innovative and sustainable housing options are explored and implemented.

Our Mission

The Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences. Through its programs, the Institute seeks to discover, support, and inspire independent film and media artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work.

Graton Artist Opportunity

The Sundance Institute | Graton Artist Opportunity serves to cultivate a stage for artists from federally and non-federally recognized California Indian tribes to tell their stories through film. Artists will receive access to curated courses from the Sundance Collab platform, which provides a virtual destination for emerging artists to learn craft and career strategies and to build community through courses, workshops, advisor sessions, extensive resources, and virtual community gatherings.

Why is this opportunity available only to artists with tribal affiliations in California?

The Graton Artist Opportunity is made possible as part of a $4 million endowment from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria to facilitate support for Indigenous Californians.

California is one of the most tribally diverse states in the nation. While many films are made on their ancestral lands, the California Native perspective is underrepresented on and behind the screen. This opportunity aims to identify and cultivate California Native filmmakers to share their stories.

What benefits do I receive as part of this opportunity?

With the support of Sundance Institute and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Graton artists will receive support to curate a Sundance Collab program to help advance their project or deepen their professional goals. In addition to the individual support, the Graton artist will receive yearlong access to Sundance Collab.

Do I need a project to apply?

No, you do not need a project to apply. This opportunity can support you at any stage in your career or project development.  

The Baltimore Community Foundation's Stronger Neighborhoods Grants aim to enhance community safety, cleanliness, and vibrancy. These grants support initiatives that promote physical security, environmental sustainability, and cultural enrichment within neighborhoods. Proposals must demonstrate collaboration with local residents and organizations. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status serving Baltimore City or County. The foundation prioritizes community-driven projects that foster engagement and support long-term neighborhood improvement.

The Bald Peak Community Fund, now in its 23rd year, has contributed over $2.8 million to local charitable organizations, focusing on food and heating assistance as well as services for children and the elderly in the Lakes Region. Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) organizations that have been thoroughly vetted for quality and reliability. Fundraising occurs throughout the summer, with distributions managed by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation in November.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence program aims to implement effective violence reduction strategies targeting juvenile offenders. This initiative focuses on enhancing community capabilities to assist children affected by violence in various environments, including homes and schools. By strengthening local responses to child victimization, the program seeks to diminish the incidence of violence and alleviate the long-term adverse effects that such exposure can have on children's well-being.

The Charles R. Wood Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations in the Lake George Region, focusing on children, healthcare, and the arts. Established in 1978, the foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for children and families, improve local healthcare access, and promote the arts. Organizations can apply for various types of grants year-round, with eligibility primarily for 501(c)(3) public charities. The Foundation prioritizes innovative projects that meet community needs.