Skip to main content

Capacity-Building Grants

CBG Cycle I

Phase 1

  • Application Due: April 1
  • Grant Portal Opens: February 1

CBG Cycle II

Phase 1

  • Application Due: October 1
  • Grant Portal Opens: August 1

Grants will normally range from $5,000 to $50,000.

Eligible Grantees

Any exempt nonprofit organization providing charitable services in Washington County.

Eligible Requests

Any activity that increases the nonprofit’s operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity. A request must be exclusive to one capacity-building project, not a combination of unrelated projects. Only one CBG request at a time will be considered. Applicants who receive a CBG must wait for a minimum of one year to apply for a second CBG and must have utilized all money from the previous CBG before submitting for a new CBG.

Examples of capacity-building projects include but are not limited to:

  • Improvements to accounting and financial systems*
  • Improvements to communications, such as marketing plans or marketing materials; websites with content management systems*
  • Data management, such as constituent/donor management software or collection management software*
  • Equipment or material purchases
  • Capital campaigns nearing completion of the campaign
  • Facility upgrades to real estate/property owned by the applicant (leasehold improvements will not be considered)
  • Strategic plans
  • Succession plans
  • Program design or program expansion

*Current priority funding areas

Ineligible Requests

Routine projects, to support existing programs, for general operating support, to reduce deficits, for regranting projects, for endowment projects, or for event sponsorships. The WCCF will not accept applications from private foundations or from individuals.

Process

  • In Phase I, applicants will submit a general overview of the proposed project. 
  • Applicants whose requests advance to Phase II will be asked to submit a full proposal by May 1 (CBG Cycle I) or November 1 (CBG Cycle II). 
  • The full proposal must provide a clear, concise, comprehensive, cohesive, and compelling project narrative regarding
    • (1) the need for the project and describing who/what will benefit from the project
    • (2) the goals to be achieved
    • (3) the measurable outcomes expected, and 
    • (4) details of how the project will be executed.
  • Applicants will also be required to provide a comprehensive project budget, that details all expected revenues and expenses for a project, not just for the amount being requested from the WCCF.
apply