CFSI Capacity Building Grant Program

The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana offers the Capacity Building Grants Program to support nonprofits that serve Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana. This grant initiative is designed to strengthen organizational capacity in critical areas such as governance, leadership, technology, strategic planning, and administrative efficiency. The Foundation envisions this support as part of an ongoing process of improvement, not a one-time effort, to ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of community-based organizations. Capacity Building Grants can be used for a variety of specific initiatives. These include assessments of management systems, evaluations of program effectiveness, development of strategic plans, board and staff development, fund development planning, succession planning, and upgrades to technology and volunteer management systems. In certain justified cases, the grant may also support physical infrastructure upgrades if such improvements are essential to the organization’s sustainability, such as meeting certification or licensing requirements that unlock critical funding opportunities. This program operates on a year-round basis, with funding requests accepted on a quarterly cycle. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $25,000. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities in good standing with the IRS and charitable projects that are fiscally sponsored by such organizations. All applicants must serve the communities within Clark and Floyd counties and propose initiatives that will meaningfully enhance their organizational efficiency, sustainability, or effectiveness. Organizations that have received other competitive grants from the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana within the past year are still eligible to apply, provided they are in good standing and compliant with previous grant agreements. The Foundation encourages all interested nonprofits to review the eligibility requirements and submission guidelines in full before applying. There are no mandatory pre-application steps, and proposals may be submitted at any time during the open funding cycle. The application process is continuous, and the Foundation provides an informational video session for guidance. For additional questions, applicants may contact Crystal Gunther-Melcher, Vice President of Community Philanthropy, via phone at (812) 948-4662 or by email at [email protected]. The Foundation is committed to strengthening local nonprofits as part of its broader philanthropic mission. Through this grant program, it aims to ensure that nonprofit organizations have the internal capacity needed to deliver on their missions effectively and to continue serving Southern Indiana for generations to come.

Focus on demonstrating how the proposed project strengthens efficiency, sustainability, and long-term impact. Include strategic planning or evaluations to show readiness for continuous improvement.