Building Stronger Nonprofits: Capacity Grants Empower Local Organizations
“What kind of impact have the BCF capacity building grants have had on BIMA? Our first grant was awarded the very first year BIMA was around in 2013, and they’ve just given us a grant this year. As you can see, they’ve been with us every step of the way,” explained Sheila Hughes, Executive Director of Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA).
BCF is one of the few community foundations in Washington State that offers capacity building grants to local nonprofits, recognizing the common goal of operating as efficiently and effectively as possible. The Capacity Building Grants Cycle is distinct in that these grants strengthen the core of an organization by advancing the knowledge, skills, and operational effectiveness of nonprofit boards and staff.
In the words of Sheila, “One year, our team needed some professional training and different kinds of ideas, and of course, BCF was there to fill that need. We couldn’t do it without you.”
In 2025, 28 organizations submitted applications addressing needs such as strategic planning, donor management, fundraising, cultural competency with tribal partners, and program evaluation, among others. Following a thorough review, the BCF Grants Committee approved 26 applications for funding, declining two.
In total, $56,440 was awarded, making 2025 the largest Capacity Building Grants Cycle to date in both the number of grants awarded and total dollars distributed.
Since the program’s launch in 2013, BCF has awarded a total of $263,355 to 74 local nonprofit organizations through its Capacity Building Grants program.
Listed below are the nonprofits awarded Capacity Building Grants in 2025, to be implemented during 2026.
