Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits

Clean Energy Fund (CEF) Building Electrification Grant Program

Commerce is accepting applications for the Clean Energy Fund Building Electrification Grant Program. These grants are intended to be used by current program grantees to enhance their existing building electrification projects and pursue additional measures to increase energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Funding

Commerce will distribute the remaining $495,000 from the CEF5 Building Electrification Grant Program. There is no minimum request amount, and the maximum award is $495,000.

Indigo Hope Foundation: Addiction Recovery Programs Grant

Funding programs that offer treatment, counseling, recovery support services, and harm reduction for individuals battling addiction.

Key Focus Areas:

• Treatment Services
• Recovery Support
• Harm Reduction
• Family Programs

Example Programs We Fund:

• Outpatient counseling programs
• Peer recovery support
• Addiction Recovery Residential Programs
• Family therapy services

The Gerrit R. Ludwig Scholarship Fund supports high school graduates from East Hawai'i pursuing degrees in fine arts or classics. Established by Dr. Gerrit Ludwig, an ophthalmologist with a passion for the arts, this fund aims to assist students who demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. Eligible applicants must be full-time students at accredited institutions in the US and graduates of East Hawai'i public high schools.

The Colorado Outdoor Regional Plan Capacity, Plan Development, & Early Wins grant program supports regional partnerships to enhance conservation and outdoor recreation. Funded by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Great Outdoors Colorado, grants range from $50,000 to $350,000 for one to three years. The initiative aims to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, ensuring equitable access to outdoor experiences while promoting healthy ecosystems and biodiversity. This funding is intended for coalitions developing regional conservation and recreation plans.

The Keith Haring Foundation offers grants primarily to support non-profit organizations that provide educational opportunities for underprivileged youth and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Established by the artist Keith Haring in 1989, the foundation focuses on initiatives that foster self-sufficiency among vulnerable populations in New York City and the Southeastern US. It invites applications from organizations dedicated to promoting Haring's legacy through arts and culture, ensuring impactful, evidence-based programming.

The Next Gen Council Grant Program, supported by the Reser Family Foundation, focuses on funding organizations in Oregon that provide essential services such as mental health counseling, addiction support, and educational mentorship. Eligible applicants must be established 501c3 organizations with a history of community service and measurable success. This initiative honors the legacy of the Reser Family by addressing pressing community needs and fostering collaborative partnerships.

The United Way of St. Lucie & Okeechobee offers Community Impact Grants aimed at enhancing health, education, and financial stability in the community. Nonprofits serving these counties are encouraged to apply, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a 501(c)(3) organization and having operational experience of at least two years. This initiative focuses on addressing critical needs such as food security and housing assistance, fostering a sustainable and impactful community.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection offers grants to combat aquatic invasive species, which threaten local ecosystems and economies. Funded by the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers, and Ponds Preservation Account, eligible applicants include state agencies, municipalities, and non-profits. Projects can focus on restoration, research, and public education regarding invasive species management. This initiative promotes the protection of Connecticut's natural water resources and biodiversity, ensuring sustainable environmental practices.

Executive Summary

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), Division of Health Promotion – Community Health and Wellness Unit (CHWU) addresses leading causes of death and disability from chronic disease and illness. The core mission of the CHWU is to prevent premature death and disability from chronic disease, to understand the risk factors of chronic disease, and to promote healthy behaviors through leadership efforts that address evidence-based policies, systems, and environmental change. To achieve this mission, the CHWU has cultivated a robust group of partners – clinicians, academicians, community advocates, patients, consumer representatives, business leaders and government agencies – across the state of New Jersey to reach high burden populations and communities and complete funded work. Improved quality of life and extended years of healthy living for New Jersey residents are the overall outcomes for all activities undertaken through CHWU programs and services.

The Community Health and Wellness Unit’s – Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention Program announces the availability of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026 funding and technical assistance for primary care clinics operating in Cumberland, Cape May, Gloucester, Monmouth, Hunterdon, Somerset and Essex counties whose colorectal cancer (CRC) screening prevalence is between 25% and 55%, to implement evidence-based interventions (EBIs) and quality improvement (QI) processes to increase CRC screening in eligible and priority populations. This RFA seeks to increase CRC screening among populations aged 45 to 75 years that have lower colorectal cancer screening prevalence. The NJDOH-CCSPP is seeking up to four (4) primary care clinics to adopt strategies that utilize multi-component EBIs to increase CRC screening and to partner with NJDOH-CCSPP by accepting technical assistance, and support for data collection and evaluation activities.

Funded entities must demonstrate capacity and readiness to implement the program by completing the following:

• Engage in a formal readiness assessment of funded entities’ capacity to implement EBIs. This assessment will be used to select EBIs that will support improved CRC screening.
• Implement multicomponent interventions that combine a minimum of three (3) evidence-based interventions (EBI), as recommended in The Community Guide. These EBIs must focus on different areas of the clinical system (which will increase demand, access, and delivery of screening recommendations). The EBIs of priority for this work includes patient reminders, provider reminders and feedback, reducing structural barriers, and patient navigation.
• Provide high-quality, clinic-level data, including baseline and annual CRC screening prevalence, aggregate data on stool-based tests provided to and returned by patients, and aggregate data on follow-up colonoscopies. Emphasis will be on the capacity to collect data and track the entire CRC screening process patients undergo.
• Support completion of stool tests and colonoscopies, including tracking and follow-up of colonoscopies for positive stool tests

In addition to funding and technical assistance, each awardee will have the opportunity to utilize a free patient navigation service supported by NJDOH. The navigators will be deployed to the awardees primary care clinics site and will provide direct patient referrals and outreach via electronic health records (EHR). Leveraging innovative tools, including a patient chat text concierge, the patient navigators will enhance patient engagement, reduce barriers, and empower informed decision-making. Navigators will also coordinate care, track outcomes, schedule screenings, and ensure timely follow-up to promote comprehensive, equitable colorectal cancer prevention and care.

The F26AS00085 Aquatic Invasive Species Interjurisdictional Grants, funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, aim to support interjurisdictional projects addressing aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes. Eligible applicants include Great Lakes states and tribes, focusing on action-oriented projects that enhance regional priorities. The initiative will fund both sustaining projects, which build on previous efforts, and new projects that present innovative solutions for effective management and prevention of aquatic invasive species.

The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation offers grants aimed at enhancing community life through diverse funding priorities, including arts, education, health, and environmental conservation. These grants support non-profits and governmental bodies serving Brown, Kewaunee, and Oconto counties, focusing on innovative solutions to pressing local needs. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations and are encouraged to address issues such as poverty, youth development, and community improvement. Notably, grants do not support religious activities or fundraising events.

The AWWA Scholarship Program, administered by the American Water Works Association, offers a $5,000 scholarship to graduate-level students pursuing careers in the water industry. Recognizing the vital role of future professionals, AWWA aims to support education in water supply and wastewater management through this scholarship initiative. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest U.S. investor-owned water utility, emphasizing the importance of investing in education for sustainable water solutions.

Bates Philanthropic Initiative

Mission Statement

The Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) is committed to making a positive impact on our community by ensuring that high school students in Colorado experiencing financial hardship have access to quality post-secondary education and career opportunities with a particular focus on career and technical education (CTE).

We provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors with a financial need who are pursuing post-secondary certifications, associate degrees, and apprenticeships in skills-based fields.

In addition to scholarships, BPI provides grants to nonprofit partners that deliver critical wrap-around services like transportation, childcare, language support, and mentoring to these financially disadvantaged young adults.

Nonprofit Partner Grants

We provide grants to registered Colorado nonprofit partners who deliver critical support services to in-need students and eliminate the barriers to their education. From providing solutions for transportation, child-care, course, certification, and materials fees, and apprenticeship opportunities, nonprofits are at the forefront of making CTE more accessible to our under-served young adults. We are seeking to support nonprofits in expanding their impact.

Who does BPI focus its grants on, and how does this align with its mission?

At BPI, we focus our grants on empowering financially disadvantaged young adults aged 17 to 19 as they transition from high school to adulthood. While we support nonprofit partners serving broader communities, our grants are dedicated to programs that directly benefit this vulnerable group. By concentrating our efforts here, we aim to transform lives and create meaningful opportunities during this critical phase of personal and professional growth.

The Episcopal Presbyterian Health Trust Grant, managed by the St. Louis Community Foundation, focuses on enhancing health care access and addressing chronic diseases. Grants are awarded biannually, prioritizing maternal and infant health in the second cycle. Organizations are encouraged to submit one Letter of Intent (LOI) annually, ensuring their proposals align with the funding priorities to foster sustainable health solutions in the community.

The Janet Y. Sato Na Lima Paheona Scholarship Fund supports Maui high school graduates pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate financial need, be Hawaii residents with a minimum GPA of 2.7, and provide a letter of recommendation. This fund aims to empower local students in various artistic fields, including music, dance, and graphic design, fostering creativity and educational growth within the community.

The Hilliard Education Foundation's Annual Grant Program empowers educators in the Hilliard City School District to enhance student learning through innovative projects. Grants support initiatives not covered by traditional funding, allowing teachers to create unique learning experiences. Open to all district staff, these grants are awarded annually for projects commencing in the following school year. Fund requests of up to $10,000 are welcomed, fostering creativity and educational excellence in the community.

The MIHEF Healthy Aging RFP aims to enhance the health and wellness of Michigan's older adults and caregivers by funding innovative projects. It emphasizes priority areas such as Alzheimer's care, elder justice, caregiving support, and improved access to healthcare services. The initiative encourages concept paper submissions for feedback, fostering collaboration among organizations and healthcare providers to improve care quality and reduce costs. This approach seeks to ensure that older adults can maintain their independence and quality of life.

The AgEnhancement Grant, awarded by Farm Credit East and CoBank, provides funding between $500 to $10,000 annually to support projects that enhance agriculture, commercial fishing, and forest products in the Northeast. Since 1996, over $3.5 million has been distributed to various organizations. The program seeks initiatives that promote diversity and provide opportunities for all-sized farms, ensuring long-term benefits to the community and industry.

The Rheum for Kids: Pediatric Skin and Joint Grant, offered by the Arthritis National Research Foundation, is aimed at early-career researchers focused on pediatric joint and skin diseases. This grant provides funding of up to $50,000 for one year to support innovative research projects. It encourages applications from diverse fields to advance the understanding and treatment of rheumatic diseases in children, fostering new insights and potential breakthroughs in pediatric healthcare.

The Samara Fund Grants, offered by the Vermont Community Foundation, focus on supporting LGBTQ+ led initiatives in Vermont. With awards typically ranging from $750 to $1,000, the fund prioritizes projects that promote empowerment, health, and safety for the LGBTQ+ community. Core values include anti-racism, transparency, and accessibility. The fund is committed to funding ideas that engage diverse groups, including BIPOC and trans individuals, ultimately fostering positive change across the state.

Environmental Stewardship: Community Grants

FAO, through its Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity Fund, offers funding opportunities to advance conservation, environmental stewardship and the greater well-being of Appalachian Ohio.

To support locally driven projects that preserve and enhance our natural environment.

Community grants empower local communities to preserve and enhance our natural environment.

We know relatively modest projects can make an outsized difference when they promote environmental stewardship and engage whole communities in conservation. More details about these grants and how to apply can be found on page 5. At least $50,000 is available to support community grants.

The Gordon Foundation for Children and Youth offers the Special Projects Grant Program to support initiatives that enhance the mental health and well-being of children and youth. This program funds a variety of projects, including sensory rooms for children with special needs, newsletters for youth in care, and educational trips for urban students to rural communities. Eligible applicants include individuals, schools, and organizations dedicated to improving youth mental health.

The Equitable Food Access Initiative: Home Delivered Meals, led by the DC Department of Health, aims to enhance food access for District residents. This program invites proposals from qualified community and non-profit organizations to implement effective strategies for delivering meals to those in need. By focusing on evidence-based approaches, the initiative seeks to improve food environments and ensure equitable access to nutritious food options for all residents.

The Seherr-Thoss Foundation Grant, established in 1991, primarily supports cultural, educational, health-related, religious, and civic initiatives within the Town of Litchfield, Connecticut. The foundations, initiated by Sonia and Hans Seherr-Thoss, have funded numerous local projects, including capital improvements for community organizations and essential equipment for volunteer services. They welcome applications from exempt organizations that align with their mission to enhance the community's well-being and preserve its heritage.

The Community Memorial Foundation offers the CMF Responsive Grants program to support 501(c)(3) nonprofits working to improve health in the western suburbs of Chicago. Organizations eligible for funding must align with the Foundation's mission and address community needs, particularly for underserved populations. Grants are awarded bi-annually, and priority is given to programs that enhance health equity and access to care. This initiative aims to transform the region into the healthiest community in the country.

The Michael R. Priddy Music Scholarship, offered by the Central Kentucky Community Foundation, aims to support graduating high school seniors from Hardin County Schools, specifically Elizabethtown and LaRue County High Schools. This scholarship is intended for students who have demonstrated involvement in classical orchestra or music performance, or who plan to pursue music studies, thereby fostering musical education in the community.

The HEAL Initiative aims to combat the opioid crisis through action-oriented research that enhances the translation of addiction epidemiology, prevention, treatment, and recovery services into practice. It prioritizes scalable, evidence-based approaches targeting various levels, including individual and community. The initiative supports a range of methods for research deployment, emphasizing collaboration between researchers and decision-makers to improve outcomes for those affected by addiction and related chronic pain.