The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana offers a Capacity Building Grants Program designed to strengthen the operational capacity of nonprofits within Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana. The program supports organizations aiming to improve long-term sustainability and effectiveness rather than addressing short-term needs. The Foundation serves as a philanthropic partner and steward, committed to ensuring charitable giving has a lasting impact within the region.
Capacity Building Grants are focused on enhancing internal organizational capabilities such as governance, leadership, administrative infrastructure, and strategic planning. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 are awarded quarterly to support projects like systems assessments, efficiency evaluations, technology upgrades, succession planning, fund development planning, and communication strategies. On rare occasions, grants may be awarded for physical infrastructure improvements if they are critical to achieving a sustainable business model, particularly in cases involving licensing or certification requirements.
Eligibility is restricted to organizations classified as 501(c)(3) public charities in good standing with the IRS or charitable projects fiscally sponsored by such organizations. Applicants must serve communities within Clark and Floyd counties and demonstrate how their request will improve their organization's efficiency, sustainability, or effectiveness. Prior recipients of other grants from the Foundation are eligible to apply, provided they remain in compliance with prior grant agreements.
The grant program operates on a quarterly schedule with specific application windows: Round 1 (April 1–June 30), Round 2 (July 1–September 30), Round 3 (October 1–December 31), and Round 4 (January 1–March 31). Applications are accepted year-round but reviewed based on the submission cycle in which they fall. The grant does not operate on a rolling basis, but it does recur annually with these consistent quarterly cycles.
Applicants are encouraged to review the online information session video from 2022 to better understand the application process. Additionally, questions can be directed to Crystal Gunther-Melcher, Vice President of Community Philanthropy, via email at cgunther@cfsouthernindiana.com or by phone at 812-948-4662.
