Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits

The Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Mini-Grants program by Valley Water supports community-led projects in Santa Clara County focused on safe drinking water, conservation, and flood protection. With grants up to $10,000 and no matching funds required, the program aims to empower diverse organizations to implement impactful projects. Recent updates streamline the application process and expand eligible costs, making it easier for community members to contribute to environmental stewardship and public benefit.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Pennsylvania provides essential funding to ensure access to clean drinking water, proper sewage disposal, and efficient stormwater management in eligible rural areas. This program supports state and local governments, nonprofits, and federally-recognized tribes, making it crucial for communities that struggle to secure commercial credit. Eligible uses of funds include construction, improvements, and related legal and engineering costs, promoting sustainable infrastructure development.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Oregon offers crucial funding for developing clean drinking water systems, sewage disposal, and storm water management in eligible rural areas. These funds can be utilized for the acquisition, construction, or enhancement of vital infrastructure, including drinking water sourcing and sewer systems. This program targets applicants unable to secure commercial credit, supporting local governments, nonprofits, and tribes to ensure reliable services in rural communities.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Ohio provides essential funding for rural communities to develop clean drinking water systems and effective waste disposal solutions. This program supports various projects including the construction and improvement of water sourcing, sewer systems, and solid waste management. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and tribes, ensuring that underserved areas receive the necessary resources for sustainable development.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in North Dakota provides essential funding for the development of reliable drinking water systems, sewage disposal, and storm water management in eligible rural areas. This program supports entities like state and local governments, nonprofits, and tribes, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation. It covers acquisition, construction, and improvement costs, along with related expenses such as legal fees and equipment purchases, fostering healthier communities.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in North Carolina offers vital funding to support clean drinking water systems, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and stormwater drainage in rural areas. Eligible applicants include governmental entities, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes who struggle to access affordable credit. This program aims to enhance public health and environmental quality through improved infrastructure, ensuring that rural communities receive essential services.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in New York provides crucial funding for the development of clean drinking water systems, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and storm water drainage in eligible rural areas. This program supports state and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally-recognized tribes in their efforts to enhance public health and environmental quality. Eligible applicants can use the funds for construction, improvement, and related activities to ensure reliable service delivery.

The Northern Great Plains Grant Program, initiated by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), aims to conserve and restore grasslands and wildlife in the Northern Great Plains. With approximately $22 million available in grants for 2025, the program focuses on sustaining healthy populations of grassland-obligate species while promoting sustainable livelihoods and preserving cultural identities, including tribal cultures and food sovereignty. Key funding partners include multiple federal agencies and private organizations.

The Capacity Building Grant program, initiated by the Rhode Island Foundation, offers funding and technical assistance to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. This program aims to address critical community priorities identified through extensive public engagement and research. By focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, the grant supports various activities, including strategic planning and operational improvements, enhancing the capacity of organizations to better serve their communities.

The Nevada Foundation Seed Program is designed to enhance the availability of high-quality, locally adapted native seeds for restoration efforts in Nevada. With the growing need for native plants due to wildfires, this initiative provides free seeds to producers who agree to return a portion of their yield to create a sustainable seed stock. This program also supports drought-resistant crops and encourages local farming practices to foster ecological resilience.

The North Wilkesboro Grant Program, managed by Speedway Children's Charities, aims to support nonprofits focused on children in Wilkes County. In 2024, over $320,000 was distributed to local organizations. The program prioritizes aid for homeless individuals, orphans, foster youth, and victims of sex trafficking, alongside critical medical and educational services. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations with a focus on children's welfare, ensuring equitable opportunities for all.

The TruStage Foundation focuses on fostering economic mobility through education and housing initiatives. By supporting K-12 literacy, mentoring, and affordable housing projects, the foundation aims to uplift marginalized communities. With a commitment to addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities, TruStage seeks to empower individuals and families to build a brighter future. Their funding is directed towards impactful programs that align with their mission, while avoiding causes that do not meet their criteria for economic mobility.

Growing Justice Fund Program

The Fund for Equitable Good Food Procurement is a multi-donor pooled fund driven by the wisdom and experience of funders, farmers and other workers in the food value chain with shared values and vision.

Awards Nearly $5M to 38 Community-Led Initiatives Supporting Values-Based Good Food Purchasing.

While community-serving institutions–such as schools, hospitals, and senior centers–spend billions annually on food purchasing, the benefits of these contracts have been largely bypassed by small- and mid-size producers, especially Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant producers. 

For the 2025 grant cycle, the Growing Justice Fund awarded a mix of Planning Grants and Implementation Grants, with grant amounts ranging from $10,000 to $250,000. These investments support projects that strengthen engagement with community-serving anchor institutions—including schools, hospitals, and elder care facilities—that hold significant purchasing power and can drive meaningful economic and social benefits for historically marginalized communities.

Priority Areas

Infrastructure:

Building and strengthening systems that enable equitable food purchasing, including support for historically disadvantaged producers, food hubs, and institutional partnerships.

Policy and Organizing:

Supporting grassroots organizing, educational policy advocacy, and capacity-building efforts that align institutional food purchasing practices with community-defined priorities.

Traditional Food Pathways:

Advancing food sovereignty within Tribal Nations by supporting traditional foodways, local food economies, and community-led approaches to Native food systems.

The Lawson Charitable Foundation offers Amplify Grants to support nonprofits in New England and beyond, focusing on large-scale initiatives and fundraising efforts. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, these funds are intended to inspire additional donations and enhance organizational capacity. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits, aligning with the foundation's mission and demonstrating sustainability beyond the grant period. Priority is given to projects serving New England.

About The Lawson Charitable Foundation

The Lawson Charitable Foundation, created in 2021 by Cathy and Tom Lawson, helps those that are working hard to help themselves and others.

For Grant Seekers

The Lawson Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that drive meaningful change in our communities. While our primary geographic focus is New England, we welcome applications from organizations, doing extraordinary work beyond the region as well.

We are happy to offer two types of grants to support nonprofit organizations making a difference: Impact Grants and Amplify Grants.

Impact Grant

Impact Grants provide funding for programs and initiatives that closely align with our mission of helping those who are working hard to help themselves and others. These grants are designed to support opportunities that create positive change within our focus areas, ensuring resources are directed toward impactful and mission-driven efforts.

The Sahee Foundation Grant supports sustainable projects aimed at improving the living conditions of underprivileged communities in Eswatini and Peru. Established in 2006, the foundation prioritizes initiatives aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in education, health, and environmental protection. Sahee emphasizes collaboration with local partners and promotes small, manageable projects that can continue autonomously. This funding opportunity is particularly beneficial for local organizations and groups committed to making a lasting impact.

New Jersey Department of Health

The scope of work for the public health system is ever-expanding, and the Department is on the frontlines in leading the response to public health challenges. The Department has three primary branches – Public Health Services, Health Systems, and Integrated Health. All work collaboratively toward improving health by strengthening New Jersey’s health system.

Our Mission: Protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey.

SSUS State STD Program 

Purpose For Which the Grant Program Funds Shall be Used 

Applicants are able to request 1) Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) staff to conduct disease investigation and intervention activities, also known as Partner Services; AND/OR 2) request funds to provide statewide safety net coverage of STD testing for men and women under 30 years of age that do not have insurance or other means to obtain STD testing; AND/OR 3) expand existing, local health STD clinical services to increase hours of operation and persons served for STD testing and treatment; AND/OR 4) provide integration of STD and HIV Services.

Qualifications Needed By Application To be Considered For a Grant

• The provision of syphilis (and other potential emerging STD needs) field investigation and follow-up. Funding is intended to cover DIS staff salary, fringe and related DIS expenses.

• Expansion of local health STD Clinic services by adding clinical staff that will allow for expanded hours and services.

About Us

Who We Are

We unite people, ideas, and resources to transform lives across Story County, working toward our vision of a connected and thriving community.

Making a Difference since 1953

Since 1953, United Way of Story County (UWSC) has been a trusted leader and convener, mobilizing our community to create lasting change. We believe transformation happens when neighbors, businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers unite around shared goals.

A connected and thriving Story County.

Unite people, ideas, and resources to transform lives in Story County.

Investing in You

We provide grants to local nonprofits that are dedicated to serving Story County in our focus areas of health, education, and financial security. These grants aim to empower organizations that are making a difference in our community, helping them to enhance their programs and reach more individuals in need.

Community Impact Grants

These grants support unanticipated, emerging, or other distinct under-funded needs that further the mission of UWSC.

About the Foundation

The Glass Recycling Foundation was created to help fill gaps in community glass recycling efforts.

Across the country, there exists strong support and consumer desire to recycle glass, but many state and local governments struggle to recover glass due to a lack of investment in glass recycling systems. GRF works to support these efforts by providing matching grants for equipment that helps these communities get started.

Our Vision

To increase recycling through education and best practices to ensure the highest benefit for communities and the environment.

Our Mission

To promote the preservation of the environment through glass recycling through education, grant making and creating pilot programs for effective glass recycling working in collaboration with other trade organizations in the glass recycling value chain. 

Glass Recycling Foundation Grant

Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines improves quality of life for all by promoting charitable giving, connecting donors with causes they care about and providing leadership on important community issues…we’re simply better together. 

Greater Carlisle Community Foundation

Mission of the Greater Carlisle Community Foundation:

The mission of the Greater Carlisle Community Foundation is to educate citizens about opportunities for philanthropy and create partnerships to provide a better quality of life for individuals and families.

The Greater Carlisle Community Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life throughout Carlisle by investing in area nonprofits through our grant programs and by providing individuals, families and area businesses who love our community with a way to give back.  

Greater Carlisle Community Foundation Grants

The Greater Carlisle Community Foundation makes grants to IRS section 501(c)(3) ‘tax exempt’ organizations and IRS section 170(b) ‘unit of government’ organizations to assist in fulfilling the foundation’s mission to foster private giving, strengthen service providers and improve the conditions of the Greater Carlisle School Area. 

Project Area of Focus

• Arts/Culture/Humanities – Museums, Historic Preservation, Exhibits, etc.
• Education – Schools (all ages), Adult Learning Programs, etc.
• Environment/Animals – Environmental Protection, Beautification, Animal-Related Issues
• Health – General, Rehabilitative, Mental, etc.
• Human Services – Public Protection/Safety, Recreation, Youth Development, Social Support, General Human Services
• Public/Society Benefit – Community Improvement/Development, Philanthropy/Volunteerism, Capacity Building, Civil Rights, etc.

Project Type

• A capital-based request refers to the building of or the physical improvement of something.
• A program-based request refers to activity or general programmatic support.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality offers funding through low-interest loans, Principal Forgiveness, and grants for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. These financial resources support the construction of infrastructure to improve water quality and address emerging contaminants. Eligible applicants include municipalities and public authorities. The program emphasizes sustainability, with additional funding for green initiatives and studies addressing PFAS contamination. This initiative promotes community health and environmental protection through enhanced water management.

Hawai‘i’s Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) offers vital planning and financial support to private forest landowners in Hawaii. Aimed at promoting long-term stewardship and conservation, the program provides a 10-year management roadmap and financial incentives, including up to 75% cost-share reimbursement for developing forest management plans. With a focus on enhancing forest resource values, FSP encourages diverse management objectives like native species restoration and habitat improvement, ensuring sustainable forestry practices benefit both public and private interests.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation provides Conservation District Grants to empower local conservation efforts. These grants fund projects aimed at preserving Montana's natural resources through planning, education, and innovative practices. With funding amounts ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, applicants can implement on-the-ground projects or develop strategic plans. This initiative supports community-led conservation, ensuring sustainable management of vital resources for future generations.

Bethany Legacy Foundation

For more than a century, the Bethany name has stood for compassion in action. Today, we carry that legacy forward by uniting the community around innovative, lasting solutions that strengthen well-being across Jefferson County, Indiana.

Bethany Legacy Foundation exists to build a healthier Jefferson County, IN. by listening first, collaborating widely, and investing wisely. Our mission is to bring people together to create sustainable change where it’s needed most.

Grants

Legacy 2030: Our Primary Focus Areas

Our six-year strategic plan aims to create a sustainable community where individuals of all ages can access the necessary resources and services to thrive. A strong workforce is the cornerstone, supported by ensuring youth, adults, and seniors have equitable access to transportation, mental health, and social services to promote well-being and independence. Our efforts and investments will focus on prevention, root causes, and initiatives that create a path to self-reliance.

The following outlines our Focus Areas, goals, and objectives for our Community and the People who live here:

Community

We aim for a Thriving Workforce that makes Jefferson County a desirable place to live and work and attracts and retains top talent.

To achieve this, we seek proposals, projects, and efforts that:

• Expand access and options for quality Childcare to improve outcomes for families and businesses
• Build stability through access to quality, safe and affordable Housing
• Expand Recreation options to promote health, connections, and a high quality of life
• Build skills and knowledge through Professional Development to enhance and advance careers

People

We aim for Strong Youth, Empowered Adults, and Stable Seniors in Jefferson County with the following outcomes if achieved:

• Kids that have a strong foundation and build resilience
• Adults that are healthy, educated, and productive citizens
• Seniors that are independent and Grow Old with Love and Dignity (GOLD)

To achieve this, we seek proposals, projects, and efforts that:

• Build Mental Health resilience and healing through holistic and preventative approaches
• Bridge distances by increasing options and access to Transportation
• Grow Social Services that strengthen and empower individuals and families

BLF uses an open application process to collect and review project ideas that align with BLF Focus Areas There are three types of applications: Long Application; Short Application; and Capacity Building Application.

BLF Grants: Short Application

• For requests of $50,000 or less in total funding, including multi-year requests
• Projects must support BLF Pillars and Focus Areas to be consider for funding
• Only one application form is submitted for review
• Approx 6-week process starting from application submission

The Mayo Clinic Community Contributions Program in Florida focuses on improving access to nutritious food. This grant supports registered 501(c)(3) organizations in northeast Florida, encouraging initiatives that align with community health needs. Eligible projects include health services, education, and youth enrichment, aiming to foster vibrant and sustainable communities. Organizations can apply for funding once per calendar year, with grants designed to enhance community engagement and address food insecurity.

The Community Grants Program by the Butler Family Foundation supports organizations focused on environmental stewardship in Minnesota. Grants of $30,000 annually for general support or $20,000 for specific projects are available for 501(c)(3) organizations with budgets over $300,000. The program emphasizes land and water protection, aiming to educate youth on sustainable practices. This initiative seeks to foster community involvement in preserving Minnesota's natural resources.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is offering grants under the Clean Water Act Section 319(h) to support projects that improve water quality in Ohio streams. With a total funding of $2.5 million, eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofit organizations. Projects aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution and restoring impaired stream segments are prioritized. This initiative provides 100% funding for projects lasting up to three years, enhancing habitats and reducing pollutants.