The Capacity Building Grant Program is an annual program of the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network (CBFN). It seeks to support the capacity of organizations working on both community and environmental health issues.
Donor Name: Chesapeake Bay Trust
States: Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/16/2023
Size of the Grant: $30,000
Grant Duration: 12 months
Details:
“Organizational capacity” is defined as activities that strengthen an organization to help it better fulfill its mission. Organizations that are strong and healthy are more effective in carrying out their missions and are more consistent and sustainable partners. Grants will be awarded to eligible nonprofit organizations to either a) strengthen their internal capacity, or b) strengthen the capacity of other nonprofit organizations.
The Capacity Building Grant Program is designed to increase the effectiveness of organizations that work at the nexus of natural resource and community health issues, within the Chesapeake Bay, Coastal Bays, and Youghiogheny River watersheds by addressing organizational capacity needs.
The Capacity Building Initiative is supported by several members of CBFN including: the Agua Fund, Chesapeake Bay Trust, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Keith Campbell Foundation, Kentfields Foundation, and Prince Charitable Trust. As well as the Phillip Merrill Foundation.
Request Amounts
- The funding partners anticipate approximately $350,000 will be available for this round of the program.
- Requests are typically no higher than $30,000 but may be higher with justification.
- Projects must be completed within 12 months upon receipt of the award.
Eligible Project Types
Capacity building projects should focus on addressing nonprofit challenges to improve an organization(s) ability to adapt and be effective long term. An entity can apply to improve its own capacity or to serve in a capacity building role for other regional non-profit organizations. Examples of project types include but are not limited to: contractual support to assess organizational effectiveness, developing or refining a strategic plan, developing a stronger and more diverse board, developing leadership skills of organizational leaders or up and coming leaders within the staff, training of management staff, developing efficient operations processes, fundraising plan development, creation of a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) plan, and technology improvements or database assistance.
Eligible Project Locations
Requests are encouraged from non-profit organizations who have the following:
- Provide services in one or more of the following Chesapeake Bay watershed jurisdictions: MD, DE, DC, PA, VA, and WV
- >1 and < 50 staff. At least one staff member must be employed full-time (defined as >35 hours per week). If a paid staff member is not in place, the applicant may substitute a dedicated volunteer position in which the individual contributes at least 35 hours per week.
- A water and/or natural resource-focused component within their mission
- Have an active Board of Directors
For more information, visit Capacity Building Grant.
