Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits

Our mission is to enhance quality of life, today and in the future, by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Building a permanent endowment
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Meeting needs through grants, awards, and scholarships

CFCC: Wayne & Alberta Neel Scholarship

Amount

$1,000 minimum

Geographic limitations

Graduates from a Cloud County high school.

Renewals

Scholarship recipients are eligible to re-apply as part of the total applicant pool.

About the Chester County Community Foundation

Our Mission

The Chester County Community Foundation connects people who care with the causes that matter, so their philanthropy makes a difference now and forever.

Robert & Doris Hanna Scholarship Fund

Mission

The Chester County Community Foundation honors the long and philanthropic lives of Dr. Robert and Doris Hanna.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Hawaii empower eligible organizations to assist low-income families in constructing their homes. This program promotes community involvement, where participants contribute labor while receiving crucial technical support. Funding ensures families gain essential skills and resources, facilitating their journey toward homeownership. Eligible applicants include government non-profits and federally-recognized tribes, ensuring a diverse range of support for community-driven housing solutions.

The CALT Emerging Traditional Artists Program, funded by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, supports early-career Appalachian traditional artists with $5,000 grants and personalized professional development. Artists engage in learning opportunities, including workshops and mentorship, to enhance their skills. Eligible applicants must be traditional artists from designated Appalachian counties in Ohio, Virginia, or West Virginia, at least 18 years old, and in good standing with Mid Atlantic Arts. This initiative fosters cultural preservation and artistic growth in the region.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Chicken N Pickle Scholarship Fund

The purpose of this scholarship fund is to assist the employees at Chicken N Pickle who have demonstrated a strong work ethic to further their education.

Past recipients must reapply annually to be considered for future awards.

California Energy Commission

As the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency, the California Energy Commission (CEC) plays a critical role in creating the energy system of the future—one that is clean, modern, and ensures the fifth largest economy in the world continues to thrive. Combating climate change is fundamental to maintaining California’s future. The agency’s research, programs and policies remain crucial today as the state plans for 100% clean energy and carbon neutrality by mid-century. CEC is helping create the energy system of California’s future through activities such as Planning and Policy Development, Renewable Energy Growth; Energy Efficiency; Energy Innovation; Cleaner Transportation; and Responsible Electricity Infrastructure.

California’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program – Solicitation 3

Purpose of Solicitation

This is a competitive grant solicitation. The California Energy Commission (CEC) announces the availability of up to $79,000,000 in grant funds for projects that will strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with publicly accessible, high-powered, direct current fast chargers (DCFCs) to support lightduty EV travel along major corridors as required under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program.

The New York Flora Association Research Grant supports botanical research in New York, aiming to enhance understanding and appreciation of the region's flora. Founded in 1990, the association encourages both members and non-member students to submit proposals, particularly for work conducted within the state. With a strong history of community engagement and over 300 members, NYFA has successfully promoted conservation, research, and education related to New York's native plants.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Illinois provide essential funding for organizations to support local self-help housing projects. These grants enable very-low- and low-income families to construct their own homes in rural areas, fostering community collaboration and empowerment. Organizations assist by offering technical guidance and supervision, ensuring that families can effectively participate in the building process. This initiative not only helps families achieve homeownership but also strengthens local communities by promoting self-reliance and cooperation.

The McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers supports mid-career Minnesota writers with five annual $25,000 awards. These fellowships, administered by The Loft, alternate between creative prose and poetry/spoken word, alongside a dedicated award for children's literature. Applicants must be legal Minnesota residents and may only apply for one fellowship annually, with specific eligibility criteria ensuring diversity in creative disciplines. The program emphasizes the importance of artists and cultural bearers in fostering Minnesota's vibrant artistic community.

THRIVE Grants provide up to $10,000 to support innovative, artist-led visual arts projects in Oklahoma. These grants encourage impactful initiatives that engage the community and push traditional exhibition boundaries. Projects must be open to the public and occur within the funding period. The program, in partnership with The Andy Warhol Foundation, emphasizes collaboration and creativity, prioritizing new projects that have not previously received funding.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:

• Encouraging philanthropy
• Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment
• Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
• Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
• Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds

The Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.

• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. 
• Most scholarships are for students who live in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. However, some are also available to students who live in Berkshire County and Hartford County in Connecticut.
• We offer scholarships to those who attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. 
• Any student who plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester, in any year of college as an undergraduate or graduate student and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school in the United States may apply.
• Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Virginillo-Falvo Scholarship Fund

To support low-income youth of western Massachusetts to attend college.

The North Valley Community Foundation traces its history to 1989.

It started as the Chico Community Foundation and was formed by the Chico Chamber of Commerce as a way to make tax-deductible donations to benefit the community. Early examples of programs included a graffiti eradication program and Volunteers In Police Service, or VIPS.

The foundation became independent from the Chico Chamber of Commerce in 1996. The foundation decided to expand its geographic scope and changed its name to North Valley Community Foundation, with the objective of doing work in all of Butte, Glenn and Tehama counties. It later added Colusa County.

Donna Murrill Fund Grant

Donna Murrill memorial fund supports wildfire recovery efforts.

North Valley Community Foundation has awarded more than $108,500 in wildfire recovery grants from a memorial fund set up by Donna Murrill. The largest grant was $25,000 to the Rebuild Paradise Foundation for its gravel grant program that is helping residents save money on home insurance.

The grant from the Donna Murrill Fund provided gravel for defensible space for atleast 50 homes, which in turn allowed homeowners thousands of dollars a year in insurance premiums. 

Murrill, a longtime Durham resident and Butte County Health Department employee, established the fund through her estate for wildfire relief.

About Wavemaker Grants

WaveMaker at Locust Projects supports Miami’s visionary artists with INCUBATOR grants for innovative PROJECTS that  are shared with the public in Unconventional Spaces.

All projects must engage or be shared with the public in unconventional spaces in Miami-Dade County. This may include exhibitions, performances, events, workshops, screenings, programming at alternative or artist-run-spaces. Projects can not be presented at art museums or commercial galleries.

Criteria

All proposals will be considered based on criteria including but not limited to:

• Overall idea, vision, and artistic innovation
• Relevance to the local social, cultural, and/or geographic context
• Accessibility of the project to the public outside of a museum or gallery
• In person gatherings in free, publicly accessible spaces are an essential requirement.
• Capacity of the applicant to realize the project on time and within budget
• Potential impact on the local community, the arts and culture landscape, and/or the artist’s growth

Grant Categories:

Each year, WaveMaker at Locust Projects awards a total of $60,000 in grant funding to artists across Miami-Dade County in the following three categories:

New Work / Projects

• Grants up to $6,000 each to support the creation and presentation of visionary, artist-driven new work / projects.   

Long-Haul Projects

• Grants up to $6,000 each to support launching, sustaining, or completing long-term projects. This category recognizes the time and commitment required to pursue long-term artistic endeavors.

R&D + Implementation

• Grants up to $2,000 each to support research and development for ambitious new projects that take creative risks or benefit from a longer planning period. After the R&D phase, grantees are encouraged to submit a short-form proposal for an additional $4,000 to implement their projects.

About US

Vision Statement

To be the partner and trusted resource for philanthropy in our community, providing stewardship of charitable intent so the impact of generosity will last for generations.

Mission Statement

• To build enduring charitable resources used to positively impact our community by:
• Serving as a partner and resource for donors, their advisors, and area nonprofits.
• Making it simple for donors to fulfill their individual goals in giving back.
• Providing stewardship of donor gifts and charitable intent for generations to come.
• Fulfilling a leadership role on important community issues.

Through the generosity of our donors, the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana awards scholarships each year to help students across our region pursue their educational goals.

Our scholarship program includes dozens of funds established by individuals and families who believe in the power of education. These funds support students from diverse backgrounds as they work toward higher education and brighter futures. As we grow this program, we remain committed to expanding renewable, impactful scholarship opportunities – fostering success, enriching lives, and strengthening our community through learning.

Raymond Rhodes Memorial Scholarship for Printing Technology & Graphic Arts

This fund hopes to award a non-renewable scholarship of up to $2,000 for a student who will seek a full-time, post-secondary education pursuing a career in the graphic arts or printing technology.

The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) provides competitive grants to North Carolina libraries to enhance their services and address community needs. Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, these grants promote inclusivity, equitable access to resources, and responsive organizational practices. Libraries can apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to support innovative projects that align with the state's strategic goals outlined in the 2023-2027 LSTA Five Year Plan.

With over 700 funds, each with a unique purpose, the Midland Area Community Foundation has been the organization in Midland, Michigan, building permanent community capital since 1973.

Our Purpose

We exist to cultivate the power of giving within our community, support long-term transformation, and help ensure all residents thrive.

Youth Action Council Mini-Grants

Midland Area Youth Action Council Mini-Grants give us the opportunity to invest in youth philanthropists (young people who are already working to make the world a better place!) and community adults who invest their time and energy into improving the lives of our area’s young people.

Midland Area Youth Action Council Educator Mini-Grant

The Midland Area Youth Action Council offers mini-grants of up to $500 for classroom projects that motivate and challenge students who attend school in Midland County. Priority is given to plans that provide materials that can be used for multiple years or in multiple classrooms over experiential plans such as field trips or single-use materials.

The Midland Area Youth Action Council recognizes that students come from diverse backgrounds, have different learning styles, and can benefit from creative learning opportunities. The Youth Action Council would like to provide educators with a funding opportunity to develop and implement instructional projects to motivate and challenge students to learn. Proposals should be unique classroom projects that enliven and enrich the curriculum. Projects are encouraged to be interdisciplinary, active-learning lessons and reinforce learning through simulation or applied to real-life situations.

The Certified Local Government Grants Program in Illinois supports city and county governments in developing local preservation projects. Funded by federal resources from the National Park Service, this program ensures at least 10% of Illinois’ federal allocation is dedicated to participating Certified Local Governments (CLGs). With 81 CLGs currently involved, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources anticipates $110,000 to $150,000 in competitive grants for this round, fostering the preservation of historic resources.

The Investigator Initiated Research Grant Program, offered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, supports doctoral-level researchers addressing critical health-related research gaps. Eligible applicants include primary investigators with medical or doctoral-level credentials based in Michigan's nonprofit hospitals and universities. This program emphasizes evidence-based research to improve health outcomes while ensuring effective resource utilization, thereby enhancing healthcare access and quality for Michigan residents.

The Consolidated Victim Services RFA provides funding to enhance a comprehensive network of trauma-informed services for crime victims in the District of Columbia. It addresses domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault while promoting victim safety and offender accountability. Eligible applicants include community-based non-profits and for-profits without profit in their application. Funding sources include VOCA, VAWA, and SASP grants, supporting recovery and navigation through justice processes.

The McKnight National Residency and Commission Grant supports a distinguished playwright from outside Minnesota to create a new play. The selected recipient will collaborate with the Playwrights' Center through workshops and will present a public reading of the play. This initiative aims to foster dialogue between local and external artists. Benefits include a $15,000 commission and workshop funding up to $12,250. The residency runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

Thome Aging Well Grant Program

As communities navigate rapid shifts in resources, rising housing and living costs, and other emerging challenges, this final round of Thome Aging Well funding aims to assist organizations that are supporting older adults through these uncertain times. These flexible, one-year grants are designed to bolster housing-based programs, services, and supports that safeguard the health, stability, and well-being of older adults during this moment of change.

Award

• Up to $200,000

This funding opportunity aims to provide flexible support to affordable housing organizations and past Enterprise Thome Aging Well grantees to respond to the urgent or emerging needs of their residents or clients with effective solutions. Eligible organizations must serve older adults (aged 55 and older) with lower incomes living in Michigan and Maryland.

Grants will have a one-year period of performance.

The New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NJ NSGP) offers funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations at high risk of terrorist attacks. This grant is specifically allocated for hiring security personnel, including law enforcement officers and registered security officers. It cannot be used to replace existing security staff but may supplement security needs for events within New Jersey. Eligible organizations must demonstrate their risk status as assessed by the Director of NJOHSP.

The PEN Award for Poetry in Translation, established in 1996, honors outstanding book-length translations of poetry into English. This prestigious award, conferred by PEN America, provides a $3,000 prize to the translator of the winning work. Eligible entries must be original translations published by U.S. trade publishers within the calendar year. The award not only recognizes the art of translation but also promotes cultural exchange and literary diversity.

Stark Community Foundation

Since 1963, Stark Community Foundation has been helping individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits like you support the causes you care about.

In addition to personalized donor services, we manage a competitive grantmaking program and award grants to address local needs. Today, the Foundation stewards over 1,000 charitable funds totaling $485 million in assets and has granted more than $300 million to nonprofits in our community and beyond.

Scholarships

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties.

The Notre Dame Club of Canton, Ohio Scholarship Fund

The Notre Dame Club of Canton, Ohio Scholarship Fund assists students who attended a Stark County or Tuscarawas County high school, Dalton High School, Orrville High School or Central Christian High School in Kidron, Ohio and will attend the University of Notre Dame. 

This scholarship is renewable.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Louisiana aim to empower low-income families by providing funding to organizations that facilitate self-help housing projects. These grants enable participants to collaboratively build their homes under professional guidance, fostering community engagement and skill development. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations and federally recognized tribes. Funds can be utilized for technical assistance and recruitment efforts, helping families navigate the home construction process and secure necessary financing.

About Community Foundation of Henderson County

• Mission: Helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter.
• Vision: Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

About Denis Barton ScholarshipApplicant must be a resident of either Transylvania or Henderson County who has graduated from a public, private, parochial or home school program who wishes to pursue an undergraduate degree at a degree granting college or university and who demonstrates the need for financial assistance in order to attend an institution of higher learning. The applicant should have a cumulative GPA equivalent to a "C average" upon graduation. Preference will be given to students from Transylvania County. Financial need will be more strongly considered than grades. An adult student will be considered for this scholarship if he or she can demonstrate reason as to why he or she did not pursue his or her college education immediately after high school. Such reasons would include but are not limited to military service, medical reasons, family obligations, and/or mission work. The recipient must be awarded the scholarship prior to the age of 30.This is a renewable scholarship.

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians offers Community Impact Grants aimed at supporting non-tribal local governmental agencies. These funds are intended to reimburse for actual or potential impacts resulting from class III gaming activities, such as those incurred by police, sheriff, and fire departments. Established through federal recognition in 1976 and with a reservation recognized in 2014, the Tribe's commitment to community welfare is evident in this initiative.