The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation offers Capacity Building grants aimed at strengthening the internal infrastructure and long-term sustainability of 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charities. These grants are not intended to fund specific programs or direct services. Instead, they are designed to support an organization’s ability to improve its internal effectiveness through leadership development, staff training, technology upgrades, strategic planning, and other organizational improvements. The foundation prioritizes projects aligned with its strategic goals of promoting college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship, with a specific emphasis on economic mobility in the Kansas City region.

Capacity Building grants are short-term and one-time funding opportunities. Award amounts range from $100,000 to $250,000. The foundation opens applications for this grant type twice a year. For the current round, the application period is open from March 4, 2025, to April 4, 2025, and funds are expected to be disbursed beginning in mid-June 2025. Grants can support a wide range of organizational needs, including but not limited to strategic planning, human resources development, IT and cybersecurity infrastructure, communications, evaluation and data systems, and financial forecasting.

The 2025 cycle introduces new allowable uses such as general operating support, artificial intelligence applications, pilot initiatives, and readiness efforts related to the World Cup. Notably, requests for executive sabbaticals will only be considered if the applicant organization already has a sabbatical policy in place. Grantees must demonstrate a specific capacity gap that the funding will address and how the project aligns with the foundation’s strategic focus areas.

Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charities. Applicants currently receiving Capacity Building grant funding must have closed their existing grant before they can receive new funding. Organizations may reapply for a different capacity-building focus if they meet this requirement. Optional webinars and office hours are available for prospective applicants who wish to learn more about the opportunity and ask questions prior to submitting their applications.

The foundation does not list a specific contact person for inquiries about the Capacity Building grant, but applicants are encouraged to attend office hours or send a message through the foundation’s contact page if additional guidance is needed. The Kauffman Foundation is based in Kansas City, Missouri, and its mission and philanthropic activities are rooted in the legacy of its founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman, with a strong local emphasis.