The 2025 Capacity Building Grant Program is designed to support nonprofit organizations in strengthening their governance, enhancing internal management, and strategically planning for the future. This grant aims to help nonprofits build resilience, improve organizational effectiveness, and advance their missions. The grant is specifically focused on organizations serving the Greater Des Moines area, ensuring that the nonprofit sector remains a vital component of the community's development. By investing in capacity-building initiatives, the grant helps nonprofits leverage opportunities to improve sustainability and impact.

The grant supports various capacity-building activities, including strategic planning and visioning, succession and talent pipeline planning, financial scenario and business planning, and fund development and marketing strategy development (excluding feasibility studies). These activities are meant to fortify the internal structures of organizations, preparing them for long-term stability and success. The grant does not support operational and program expenses, capital infrastructure projects, sectarian religious programs, tactical items such as hardware or donor management software, or website development.

Organizations may apply for up to $7,500 in funding. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and funding decisions are typically communicated within approximately ten business days. The application process involves several steps: scheduling a conversation with a Community Impact Team member, meeting to discuss project alignment and work plans, submitting a draft application for feedback, and formally submitting the final application through the Manage My Grants Portal.

Eligibility for the grant requires organizations to provide specific details, including contact information for key personnel, project title, employer identification number (EIN), fiscal sponsor information (if applicable), and budget details. Applicants must outline their project, explaining the organizational need, how the grant will help address it, and anticipated stakeholders involved. Additionally, organizations must provide a project budget, a list of board members, and, if applicable, a consultant work plan that includes estimated costs and deliverables.

Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the grant’s capacity-building focus, the organization's ability to demonstrate need, and the feasibility and impact of the proposed project. Organizations that plan to work with consultants must provide details on consultant work plans to ensure accountability and project effectiveness. Projects that involve strategic alignment between multiple organizations may be directed toward the separate Strategic Alignment Grant.

For questions regarding the grant, potential applicants are encouraged to contact Jenny McCloud for initial discussions and Ellie Burns, the Senior Director of Nonprofit Relations, for more detailed inquiries. Contact details and further application instructions are provided through the Community Foundation’s grant portal.