EQT Foundation Capacity Building Grants

The EQT Foundation, a philanthropic entity established in 2003 by EQT Corporation, operates with a mission to strengthen the communities within the company's operational footprint. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded nearly $80 million in grants to nonprofit organizations. It follows a practice of trust-based philanthropy, placing a strong emphasis on strategic partnerships that enrich community viability, promote education and workforce development, and support environmental sustainability. Its capacity-building grant program, launched in June 2024, is a notable initiative aimed at enhancing nonprofit organizational maturity and effectiveness. The Nonprofit Capacity Support grant focuses on providing financial support for initiatives that help nonprofit organizations improve their internal infrastructure and operational capability. This support may cover a broad spectrum of organizational needs, including strategic planning, technology and office equipment upgrades, succession planning, legal and financial system updates, and board or staff development. The overarching goal is to help nonprofits advance to a higher level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity to better deliver their missions. This grant opportunity is open to organizations that align with the EQT Foundation’s funding priorities and are located within the geographic footprint of EQT Corporation’s operations. This includes counties in southwestern and northeastern Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, and eastern Ohio. Applicants must demonstrate a meaningful and trusted impact in their community, the ability to manage resources effectively, and community engagement that garners public recognition and support. Applications for the Nonprofit Capacity Support grants are accepted through the Foundation’s online portal during an annual window from May 1 to August 1. The Foundation reviews applications quarterly, with specific deadlines on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. However, capacity grant applications are only available during the May–August window. Applicants must complete and submit their applications through the designated system, and the Foundation may request additional information or postpone decisions for specific applications due to high volume. Award amounts for the capacity-building grants may be up to $25,000 per organization. There are no matching fund requirements, and while grants typically are expected to be used within one year, there is flexibility in the timeline. A wrap-up meeting is conducted with Foundation staff upon the full expenditure of funds to evaluate outcomes and impact. The EQT Foundation prioritizes transparency and responsiveness, though due to high demand, it does not provide application evaluations or immediate funding decisions via phone or email. For queries related to grant applications, Ellen Rossi, President of the EQT Foundation, serves as the primary point of contact and can be reached via email. The Foundation's review board, composed of EQT employees and senior leaders, is responsible for funding decisions.

Align proposals with funding priorities, geographic requirements, and clearly articulate capacity-building outcomes.