2026 Capacity Building Program

2026 Capacity Building Program is sponsored by Minnesota Housing. Grants to strengthen organizations developing knowledge, relationships, and systems to address housing gaps, with focus on affordable and supportive housing solutions for low-income and underprivileged populations.

Capacity Building | Minnesota Housing Alyssa Wetzel-Moore and Amanda Welliver are authorized to answer questions about the Capacity Building RFP. CommunityDevelopment. MHFA@state.

mn. us Capacity Building Program The Capacity Building Program funds activities that build the capacity of organizations and communities to address root causes of housing challenges and create thriving and inclusive communities. Communities most impacted by housing challenges and disparities are experts and key partners in developing solutions to these challenges.

We trust organizations and communities to use their knowledge and creativity to develop strategies that work for them. 2026 Capacity Building Grant Program is open now! The deadline to apply is Thursday, December 10, 2026 , at noon Central time.

See 2026 Capacity Building Request for Proposals Instructions below for complete details. Attend one of two upcoming Info Sessions: Register to join us on Monday, October 26 , 11 a. m.

-noon Central time. Register to join us on Monday, November 9 , 10-11 a. m.

Central time. The recording and materials will be posted here afterward. Capacity Building Program Grant Description The Capacity Building Program funds activities to strengthen organizations and communities as they work to improve the housing system and build thriving communities.

This grant program prioritizes community-driven work, innovation and initiatives that have a system-level impact. Communities facing housing challenges and disparities know their needs best and should play a central role in making decisions and creating solutions. Minnesota Housing trusts their expertise to advance housing and community-building strategies that have impacts on a local, regional or statewide level.

Minnesota Housing may, but is not obligated to, award grant funds in an aggregate amount of up to $2 million on a competitive basis to support the Capacity Building Program. The maximum award amount is $100,000 per grantee for a two-year grant period.

Capacity Building Program Guide 2026 Capacity Building Request for Proposal (RFP) materials Cover Sheet Updated on October 26, 2026 2026 Capacity Building RFP Instructions Updated on October 26, 2026 Application Signature Page The 2026 Capacity Building RFP Instructions contain the complete details and application requirements. The 2026 Capacity Building Application process is a two-phase process.

Applicants submit Phase One application materials. Finalists will be notified on or around January 6, 2027, to submit Phase Two Application materials. Some Phase Two Application materials are provided below for reference only.

Do not submit these materials as part of your Phase One application due on December 10, 2026. Organizational Capacity Building The organization builds its own capacity to lead efforts to advance housing goals, solve a housing problem, or address a housing gap in the community.

Through these efforts, the organization will build collaborations, strengthen communities, facilitate lived experience voices in leadership and decision-making and/or advance housing innovation. As a result of this work, the organization will position themselves to be stable over the long term.

Pilot projects to test creative solutions to housing challenges Building knowledge, strategies and partnerships to advance an innovative housing concept Community engagement, education and leadership development to facilitate community-led decision-making to meet a housing need Intermediary Capacity Building The Intermediary uses their expertise and relationships to build others ' skills and abilities to advance housing goals, addressing housing problems or fill housing gaps in the community.

The Intermediary will do so by providing sub-grants and/or technical assistance to communities, organizations or individuals. Those facing housing challenges and disparities will ultimately benefit as a result of the Intermediary's capacity building efforts.

Providing technical assistance to a community-based organization to increase organizational capacity to engage in housing development and planning activities through strengthening internal policies and technical skills Subgrants to hire a consultant for a housing-related need Develop training and technical assistance on an innovative housing topic or strategy 501(c)(3) Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations: Must have an active registration and be in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State Tribal governments and Tribal business entities Additionally, eligible entities must have been in operation for at least one calendar year as of the date of the Capacity Building Grant RFP application deadline.

This will be demonstrated by the applicant's filing date with the Minnesota Secretary of State. See the 2026 Capacity Building RFP Instructions for complete details. Non-Tribal government entities, for-profit businesses and educational institutions are ineligible to apply.

NOTE: Entities that are not eligible to apply as a lead applicant can receive funding as subgrantees or consultants. This would include for-profit businesses and the other entities that are listed as ineligible applicants. Examples of eligible uses include, but are not limited to: Organizational Capacity Building: Pilot projects that test creative solutions to housing challenges.

Initiatives that address a housing gap or lack of housing access facing a region, community or constituency. Developing knowledge, strategies and partnerships to advance innovative housing ideas and models. Community engagement, education, and leadership development that support community-led decision-making and advocacy.

Building partnerships and collaborations to strengthen networks, advance equity, and address housing needs. Building an organization's capacity to more comprehensively meet the housing needs of those they serve. Providing information on housing rights and responsibilities.

Building more community and systematic support for housing development and housing access. Intermediary Capacity Building Leadership development for people with lived expertise to participate in decision-making that affects housing planning and housing stability.

Providing technical assistance and education to entities such as community-based organizations, cities or individuals to build their capacity to engage in housing development and planning activities. Providing subgrants to other entities so they can build their capacity to ultimately meet community needs through activities such as hiring consultants, purchasing technology and attending tranings.

Providing training and technical assistance on an innovative housing topic or strategy. Community planning activities such as convening a variety of local constituencies to identify housing needs and priorities, informing them about development processes, and creating a housing plan and advocacy priorities.

Housing development and pre-development costs Costs associated with applying to Minnesota Housing Request for Proposals Direct client services, medical services, mental health and recovery services Providing homeownership counseling, financial coaching and foreclosure counseling to individuals Building operations such as property management, front desk staff and/or security expenses Financial assistance to individuals including rental assistance, affordability gap or downpayment assistance Direct political activities such as endorsing or campaigning for political candidates Shelter planning and/or services Transitional housing planning and/or services Group homes and assisted living planning and/or services Salary, wages and fringe benefits of staff working directly on grant activities Stipends for community participation, if applicable Travel expenses including mileage, lodging and meals as outlined in the Nonrepresented Employees Compensation Plan for expense reimbursement by Minnesota Management and Budget Meeting expenses including venue rental, food and handouts Supplies, copies and postage directly related to the program Items necessary to carry out grant activities Applications may utilize up to 15% of the Capacity Building grant for administrative expenses.

Questions can be directed to CommunityDevelopment. MHFA@state. mn.

us to reach the designated points of contact for this RFP: Alyssa Wetzel-Moore, Community Development Director Amanda Welliver, Policy Coordinator No other staff are authorized to respond to questions from potential applicants related to this RFP. All questions and answers will be posted to this webpage.