Investing in Capacity
Our Capacity Building Grants program supports organizations that are actively striving to improve the efficiency and efficacy of their work by investing in core operations. Bainbridge Community Foundation (BCF) recognizes that most organizations want to perform their work more efficiently and effectively. Our Capacity Building Grants are geared toward improvements in the areas of administration, governance, planning, and fundraising. Funding is focused on building an organization’s internal capacity in these areas in order to strengthen and support our local nonprofit sector.
Capacity building is distinguishable from direct program services, general operating support, or capital expenses in that it seeks to increase the knowledge, skill level and/or efficiency of a nonprofit board and/or staff. Capacity building services are typically provided by an individual outside of the organization who has the expertise and the ability to focus on one aspect of an organization’s management. These include but are not limited to:
- Board and staff training
- Strategic planning
- Analysis of programs, technology, and fundraising
- Program evaluation
Does your nonprofit organization want to apply for a Capacity Building Grants Program award? Here’s how!
If you have questions, please contact Debbie Kuffel, Program & Finance Officer, at debbie@bainbridgecf.org.
Capacity Building Grants 2024
(Grant period January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025)
BCF’s Capacity Building Grants Cycle will accept applications from 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations located in Washington State serving the greater Bainbridge Island community (Those that work, live, or visit Bainbridge Island), between October 16, 2024 and November 13, 2024 for applications of $1,000 - $2,500 online via Common Grant Application. The BCF Grants Committee will review applications and make funding recommendations to the BCF Board of Trustees. Awards will be announced in mid-December. The grant period for these awards is January 1 - December 31, 2025.
Please note that this grant making program does not support hiring, adding staff, or increasing staff hours to increase your organization's capacity. This program does not fund travel or capital expenses.
If you have questions, please contact Debbie Kuffel, Program & Finance Officer, at debbie@bainbridgecf.org.
Past Programs
Capacity Building Grants 2023
(Grant period January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024)
BCF is one of the few community foundations in Washington State that awards capacity building grants for local nonprofits. This unique grant cycle provides funding for nonprofits seeking to increase their knowledge, skill level, or efficiency of the staff or boards. Out of the 28 applications in 2023, 22 were approved by the BCF Grants Committee for a record funding of $30,550. This includes $3,000 in BCF IDEAS Fund grants ($600 ea) to five organizations.
This was the largest number of new applicants (10) to this grantmaking program since it began, enabling BCF to assist an even greater number of nonprofits. Of those grants that were not approved for funding, it was recommended that the requests were better suited for the BCF Community Grants Cycle.
In total, BCF funded a record $30,550, up from $27,450 in 2022. BCF provided an initial $7,000 and the remaining funds were contributed by generous fund advisors of donor advised funds and the BCF IDEAS Fund. BCF has granted a total of $165,680 to 57 different local nonprofit organizations since 2013 through its Capacity Building Grants program.
2022 Funding Breakdown:
