BCF Awards Capacity Building Grants to 22 Local Nonprofits
"Receiving an award through the Capacity Building Grants Cycle is not only a stamp of approval from the community through the Bainbridge Community Foundation, but it's a chance to build our knowledge and expertise in an area we see as critical for our growth as a nonprofit," said Charles Poekel, an award-winning film producer and a new applicant to the Capacity Building Grants Cycle. "In 2024, we will be organizing a second film festival following last year's success, and this grant will help us get the support we need to give the Bainbridge community access to a broad scope of artistic films this fall."
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 their 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 $600 grants to five organizations from BCF's IDEAS Fund.
To date, BCF has awarded $165,680 dedicated towards Capacity Building Grants-- a small sum for a big impact. Accepted applications included staff training on neurodiversity in the arts and culture sector, streamlining a common understanding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in a nonprofit educational setting, and hiring a consultant to help create a strategic plan based on outcomes from a recent board retreat. Nonprofits will have the year of 2024 to implement their work. BCF congratulates the awardees and looks forward to further supporting their work!
