Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation - Capacity Building grants

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation - Capacity Building grants is sponsored by Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. These grants are designed to strengthen the organizational capacity of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations by fostering sound leadership, strong boards, professional development for staff, technology, evaluation, strategic planning, communications, and sustainability.

They are intended for organizations that can clearly identify a specific organizational need and demonstrate how addressing that need will strengthen their work in alignment with the Foundation's strategic priorities.

What are Capacity Building grants? Capacity Building grants are designed to support an organization’s internal effectiveness and long-term stability, rather than funding a specific program or singular service. These one-time, short-term investments are intended for charities that can clearly articulate a specific capacity gap and demonstrate alignment with our strategic priorities and focus areas.

Funding amount: $100,000 – $250,000 Funding disbursement cycle: Once annually The last cycle for Capacity Building grants in 2025 closed September 12, 2025. Funds will be disbursed in November 2025. Successful applications should describe: Why this request is especially important at this moment in your organization’s development.

Why the investment you’re seeking is appropriate as a one-time intervention. How it will position your organization for long-term impact and sustainability. We’re looking for proposals that show how a targeted capacity investment will strengthen your infrastructure, increase resilience, and improve your ability to deliver on your mission over time.

Capacity Building grant examples The following list provides examples of broad categories and specific organizational needs that may be eligible for Capacity Building grants. This list is not meant to be exhaustive and additional capacity needs may qualify for these funds.

Collaboration development Cooperative mission alignment assessment Facilitated co-creation among partners Strategic partnership and coalition development Communications and marketing Branding, collateral development, and web redesign Strategic communications plan development, including target audience analysis Data and evaluation capacity Building case studies, reports, and lessons learned Streamlining internal audit controls Financial planning and fundraising Budget assessments and feasibility study execution Business model planning and risk assessments Fundraising strategy development Short-term and long-term financial forecasting Culture and internal strengths and weaknesses evaluation Human resources policies, process, and infrastructure assessment Job classifications and compensation structures analysis Performance management and coaching Staff recruitment and pipeline development Information technology planning and cybersecurity Audit of technology needs Cybersecurity safeguard training Equipment and technology upgrades Customer relationship management tool Human resources, finance, or grant management software purchases and/or implementation Infrastructure development Legal compliance development Material items, leasing space, and transportation purchasing Pilot initiatives (new in 2025) Artificial Intelligence (AI) General operating support World Cup readiness and engagement Program enhancement/expansion Staff, board, and leadership development Executive transitions and succession planning Inclusive leadership training Orientation and training development Organizational structure design Sabbatical for executive leader* Staff audits and assessments Workplace training and skill building * Sabbatical requests will only be reviewed for organizations that have a sabbatical policy in place.

Community landscape and stakeholder needs assessment SWOT analysis and scenario planning Frequently asked questions Have a specific question related to Capacity Building grants? Explore some of our frequently asked questions below. Have a question about our refreshed approach to grantmaking overall?

Visit our general FAQ page here . What do Capacity Building grants support? How does the World Cup fit into Capacity Building grants?

Strategically aligned public charities can support World Cup readiness and engagement in various ways. For example, they may provide training and technical assistance to help entrepreneurs and small businesses prepare for increased demand. Others might focus on expanding job training programs to equip workers for event-related employment.

Efforts could also include supporting local business districts in attracting visitors or assisting local governments with policies that enhance business participation. How much funding can I expect to receive? The funding available for a Capacity Building grant ranges from $100,000 to $250,000.

When does the application period open for Capacity Building grants? The portal to apply for Capacity Building grants in 2025 opened August 12 and closed September 12, 2025. The next round for Capacity Building grants will open in summer 2026.

Can I apply for additional funding this round if I’m a current Capacity grantee? If you are a current grantee, your grant must be closed before additional funding can be disbursed. You can apply for funding for a different type of capacity as long as your current grant is closed before the next grant is funded.

I applied for a Capacity Building grant but think my application is more aligned to a different grant opportunity. What are my next steps? If you apply for a Capacity Building grant and later determine that you think another grant pathway (i.e. Project ) might be a better fit, you can withdraw the Capacity Building grant application or decline the award, if applicable.

Keep in mind that our other grant types have different parameters for qualification and may be more competitive, so organizations need to be prepared to deliver measurable impact across our strategic priorities if apply for other grant types. I have more questions about the Capacity Building grant. Who can I connect with to learn more?

We host regular, optional webinars and office hours. Learn more about these and how to reserve your spot to attend > Meet the inaugural Capacity Building grantees Funds seek to advance the growth of organizations driving college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship for 56 organizations .

“We heard loud and clear that grantees needed funds to grow their reach and achieve impact – and we responded,” said Allison Greenwood-Bajracharya , chief impact and strategy officer.