The Spring Capacity Building Grant Cycle, hosted by the Community Foundation of Johnson County (CFJC), provides funding to local nonprofit organizations to support their operational growth, sustainability, and infrastructure. The primary focus of the grants for 2025 will be on upgrading infrastructure and technology/software systems, which will have a long-term impact on the organizations' ability to serve their missions more effectively. This funding opportunity is intended to benefit grassroots and BIPOC-led organizations, as well as established nonprofit entities. Organizations can apply for a grant ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, and the total funding pool for this cycle will be $25,000. The application window is open from February 1 through February 28, 2025. All applications must be submitted through the CFJC’s online grants portal, and applicants are encouraged to attend an informational session held in January.

Applications are reviewed by a community selection committee and ultimately approved by the CFJC board of directors. Grant decisions will be made in early May 2025, and recipients will be required to submit a report detailing the use of the grant funds by December 31, 2025. The capacity-building focus of the grants aims to improve long-term sustainability through infrastructure upgrades and technological advancements, but applications will not be specific to any particular program; instead, they will address operational needs and organizational capacity.

To be eligible for the Spring Capacity Building Grants, organizations must be recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, government entities, or charitable programs. Eligible organizations must be located in or significantly serve the residents of Johnson County, Iowa. They must also operate in fields such as health and human services, education, arts, environment, social services, or youth services, among other charitable activities. The Community Foundation of Johnson County is specifically looking to support those that are actively working to enhance their operational effectiveness.

Applicants must be able to access and navigate the CFJC’s online grants portal, where they will need to create an organizational profile before submitting their applications. The Foundation has provided several resources to assist applicants in the process, including tutorial videos, FAQs, and a grant application preview. The CFJC also mandates that all recipients of funding publish a public acknowledgment of their grant award and its impact, which could be shared via social media, newsletters, or direct mail.

The CFJC has outlined several areas that are excluded from their funding programs. These include deficit funding or debt retirement, direct financial support to individuals, political or lobbying activities, religious activities aimed at conversion, and projects not aligned with the Foundation's charitable focus. Any organization found in non-compliance with CFJC's nondiscrimination and diversity policy will not be considered for future grants until compliance is met.