Capacity Building Grant is sponsored by Tracy Family Foundation. Supports nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies in Illinois in strengthening their operational effectiveness.

Capacity Building — Tracy Family Foundation Board Development Roadmap Apply for a Capacity Building Grant Developing people and the tools people use Capacity building may not be a traditional TFF Focus Area, but it elevates every aspect of the work our partners do.

By investing in organizational strength alongside program grants in our other focus areas, we help nonprofits build the systems, skills, and structures needed to operate effectively and sustainably. When organizations strategically dedicate funds to strengthening their internal operations, they expand their reach, enhance program delivery, and create lasting impact.

Capacity building eligibility ranges from $5,000-$15,000 per calendar year and is determined by variety of factors. To view the Capacity Building Program eligibility matrix, click here . Scroll to the bottom of this webpage to view a list of frequently asked questions.

Click Here to Join Our Email List Nonprofit Roadmap Assessment We believe organizations are always capable of rising to new levels of impact, which is why we created the Nonprofit Roadmap Assessment. This tool helps teams identify their greatest growth opportunities and outline the steps to move their mission forward.

To be eligible for capacity building funds, traditional charities must have one staff member complete the assessment each year; schools and public entities are exempt. We encourage organizations to use their results as a roadmap for strategically investing capacity building resources where they will matter most. Click here to learn more and to access the assessment.

2026 Capacity Building Programs TFF-Curated Program Descriptions Fundraising is a common pain-point for nonprofits, and year-end contributions account for close to 50% of many nonprofits’ revenue. The Tracy Family Foundation offers this capacity building program to assist nonprofits with developing (or strengthening) their year-end appeals.

Selected nonprofit organizations will receive up to 20 hours of individual, targeted coaching from area experts to develop and implement a year-end fundraising initiative in addition to receiving funds to utilize for marketing, printing, and postage expenses. 2026 application coming soon! + Circle of Courage - 2026 Fall Application Open!

Nonprofit leaders often feel isolated, burdened by decision fatigue, and overwhelmed by the relentless pressures of their roles. The Circle of Courage is here to break that cycle, offering a supportive pathway to transformative growth and empowered leadership with renewed purpose and strength.

By joining this 90-day group coaching program, you'll gain timely support and a strong community that empowers you to lead with greater purpose, clarity, and impact—amplifying your nonprofit's mission and effectiveness. Read the RFP here .

+ Fundraising 101 - 2026 Application Closed Many small organizations start up with the intention of bringing their unique passions, visions, talents, and skills together to make the world a better place. However, the most challenging aspect for those organizations is often developing sustainable fundraising systems to support their respective missions.

The Tracy Family Foundation has partnered with local fundraising experts to offer a training and coaching series. The program will include individual coaching hours and two group workshops to assist with the development of a customized fundraising plan. 2026 application coming soon!

+ Grants Lab - 2026 Application Closed Develop winning grant strategies and systems through a series of training sessions, coaching calls, interactive writing exercises, and more with the Grants Lab. Tailored feedback and a built-in learning community set this program apart, ensuring participants leave with an understanding of grant readiness, grant prospect research, and the typical components of a grant application.

+ goodmakerU: Giving Day Prep - 2026 Application closed Building upon the free WCIL Gives workshops March 5 & 6, TFF grantees have the opportunity to apply for a capacity building grant to support a three-month goodmakerPro membership.

This membership will provide access to a self-paced Giving Day Master Class curriculum, personalized coaching sessions with certified fundraising experts, a private chat channel for WCIL organizations, and a broader peer network of nonprofit leaders. Members will also benefit from weekly live group coaching calls to support their fundraising success. Read the RFP here .

+ Inclusive Leadership Workshop 2026 Fall Application Open! Inclusive leadership begins with leading oneself effectively, extending that influence to others, and embedding those practices within the broader organization. This two-and-a-half-day workshop is designed to help nonprofit leaders develop the skills to lead inclusively at every level of their organizations.

Read the RFP here . + Listen4Good - New! 2026 Application Closed Listening to community voices is essential for mission effectiveness, yet many nonprofits lack the tools, training, and resources needed to collect and use feedback meaningfully.

Listen4Good directly addresses these capacity gaps by helping organizations establish strong, sustainable feedback practices. Read the RFP here. + Maximize Your Leadership Strengths - Spring Application Closed.

Fall Cohort Opens in August Every leader brings a unique set of skills and perspectives to their organization. By learning to embrace and leverage these individual strengths, leaders can inspire their teams, drive innovation, and foster a positive workplace culture. Through Maximize Your Leadership Strengths, leaders will complete a 360 Leadership Assessment and StrengthsFinder.

They will then receive individualized coaching to dive deep into the results and create a custom development plan to leverage their strengths. Read the RFP here . + Mental Health Matters - 2026 Application Closed Burnout affects productivity and can negatively impact retention, service quality, morale, and organizational culture.

The nonprofit sector is no exception. In fact, a recent survey suggests that 45% of nonprofit employees are planning to leave their organizations in the next 2 years. Through TFF’s training and coaching program, leaders and staff will be encouraged to achieve a healthy balance in work and personal life, developing coping strategies to manage stress.

As a result, participants will complete this program with an improved outlook, resulting in increased levels of productivity and enhanced organization performance. Read the RFP here. + Nonprofit Marketing - New!

2026 Application Closed Many nonprofits start up with the intention of bringing their unique passions, visions, talents, and skills together to make the world a better place. However, they often don’t have the funds or expertise to market their nonprofit. This training series will help nonprofits develop an overall strategy and create a marketing plan that fits their organization’s unique circumstances.

Read the RFP here. + Planned Giving Made Simple - New! 2026 Application Closed Many small and mid-sized organizations know planned giving matters but feel overwhelmed about where to start.

This training focuses on practical essentials: understanding what planned giving really is, developing your organization’s unique case for legacy support, and learning how to weave these conversations and opportunities into what you're already doing. Read the RFP here.

Volunteers are the backbone of nonprofit work, often acting as an organization’s representative in the community and contributing to the success of the organization’s mission. A well-designed volunteer program should include clear and concise communication channels, effective training and orientation, meaningful recognition and rewards, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The Tracy Family Foundation has developed a volunteer recruitment and engagement program to assist nonprofits as they attract, retain, and support individuals who are willing to offer their time, skills and resources. The training will provide tips and strategies for creating a volunteer program that is both effective and sustainable. 2026 application coming soon!

+ WCIL Gives - Registration Closed WCIL Gives is a regional giving event that launched in June 2025 and will return in 2026! The event is open to all nonprofits, schools, and churches in TFF's 10-county region and serves as both a celebration of generosity and a strategic opportunity to launch compelling marketing campaigns that enhance visibility and reach.

By leveraging peer-to-peer fundraising, our communities are empowered to champion causes they're passionate about, amplifying the impact of West Central Illinois organizations. Incentives and prizes only add to the fun! Visit wcilgives.

org to learn more! Save the date for a two-day training March 5 & 6. TFF, in partnership with goodmakerU, will deliver a Giving Day Intensive Workshop.

Sessions will equip grantee organizations with practical fundraising frameworks, donor engagement tools, and actionable campaign strategies to maximize Giving Day participation and outcomes. On-Demand TFF-Curated Program Descriptions + AI for Grant Writing - New! 2026 Application Open!

Grant writing is essential to the financial health and sustainability of nonprofit organizations, yet it often stretches limited staff capacity. The AI for Grant Writing Program helps organizations integrate AI into their grant development process responsibly and effectively. The goal is not to replace the grant writer but to enhance efficiency, creativity, and consistency, freeing time to focus on strategy and relationships.

Read the full RFP here . + AI Training & Coaching for Nonprofits - 2026 Application Open! In an era where technology often favors large organizations and urban centers, AI provides a unique opportunity for small non-profits to thrive.

Participants will start by attending a class to grasp the fundamentals of AI. With the knowledge acquired from the Essential AI course, leaders will pinpoint a specific area and engage a coach to enhance AI integration into their organization. + Board Development Coaching & Training - 2026 Application Open!

Executive Directors often express concern around board recruitment, orientation, development, and engagement. Board leadership has a dramatic impact on a nonprofit's overall success and sustainability. As a result, the Tracy Family Foundation has worked with regional consultants and seasoned Board officers to become Board Development Trainers/Coaches for a customized program in our 10-county region.

The identified coaches have attended the BoardSource Consultant Certification program and will offer selected organizations 40 hours of coaching, consulting, and training. + Building a Thriving Culture: DE&I Training & Coaching - 2026 Application Open!

DEI is the presence of differences that may include race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, (dis)ability, age, religious commitment, or political perspective. While nonprofits and schools wish to honor diversity and provide equity and inclusion, it may require consultant assistance to look deeply into practices, policies, and cultural attitudes.

The Tracy Family Foundation has partnered with a regional DEI expert and consultant who helps organizations assess current practices and develop plans to improve their efforts. JWCC Courses - FREE for Nonprofits The Tracy Family Foundation has partnered with John Wood Community College to offer the following trainings for nonprofits at no cost. Registration is open to the public and does not require a TFF grant application.

For details and registration instructions, visit the JWCC website here . For course details, visit the JWCC website here . To be directed to the registration form, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions: + What types of projects will be considered? Projects TFF would consider funding with Capacity Building grants include, but are not limited to: + What organizations are eligible to apply?

Nonprofit organizations, schools, and public entities serving West Central IL in Adams, Brown, Cass, Greene, Hancock, McDonough, Morgan, Pike, Scott, or Schuyler that align with TFF’s Focus Areas are eligible for up to $15,000 per year. Click here to view the eligibility breakdown.

Nonprofit entities in TFF’s funding region that do not align with TFF’s Focus Areas OR have received a TFF Annual Grant in the past 3 years are eligible to receive up to $5,000 per calendar year in Capacity Building Grants. Funds can be used for “Create Your Own” or TFF-Curated Programs. + Do organizations who receive an Annual Grant through a Family Invitation qualify for Capacity Building funds?

Yes. Organizations that receive an Annual Grant through a Family Invitation are eligible for up to $5,000 per year for three years following their annual grant. These funds can be used for either create-your-own capacity building projects or TFF-curated programs.

+ Is the TFF Nonprofit Roadmap Assessment Required? Yes. TFF requires all 501c3 Capacity Building applicants (not schools or public entities) to complete the TFF Nonprofit Roadmap Assessment before submitting a capacity building grant application.

Each assessment is valid for up to 12 months. Organizations may take the iCAT organizational assessment instead of the TFF Nonprofit Roadmap Assessment, but should talk with TFF Staff to learn more about this tool. Contact Sara Reuschel to arrange to take this assessment.

+ What is the maximum amount per year organizations can request? Nonprofit organizations, schools, and public entities serving West Central IL in Adams, Brown, Cass, Greene, Hancock, McDonough, Morgan, Pike, Scott, or Schuyler that align with TFF’s Focus Areas are eligible for up to $15,000 per year. Click here to view the eligibility breakdown.

Nonprofit entities in TFF’s funding region that do not align with TFF’s Focus Areas OR have received a TFF Annual Grant in the past 3 years are eligible to receive up to $5,000 per calendar year in Capacity Building Grants. Funds can be used for “Create Your Own” or TFF-Curated Programs. + What is the maximum number of capacity building requests an organization can submit in a year?

There is no maximum. Organizations can submit as many requests as they’d like, as long as the total of the requests does not exceed their eligibility limits. + Does an organization have to contribute any money toward requests?

Yes. Organizations are responsible for 10% of the requested amount in cash, not in-kind. + Will a Final Impact Report be required?

Yes. A Final Impact Report is due within 12 months of the grant award. + Are there any exclusions?

Capacity Building grants do not cover wages or salaries of an individual employed by your organization. Other exclusions include equipment, supplies, renovations, building upgrades, and other construction costs. Funding for certain software, marketing, and continuing education is limited.

Contact Sara Reuschel with any questions regarding project eligibility.