iCAP Plan Implementation Grant Program

The Western New York Foundation, in partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, offers the iCAP Implementation Grant Program to support nonprofit organizations in implementing capacity-building plans developed through the foundation’s iCAP or iCAP Core initiatives. The foundation’s mission is to foster a more inclusive and equitable food system across the seven counties of Western New York: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming. The iCAP Implementation Grant provides financial support, consulting, and technical assistance to help organizations strengthen operations and achieve sustainable growth. This program is intended exclusively for organizations that have completed either iCAP or iCAP Core and are within three years of adopting a capacity building plan through those programs. This implementation grant aims to help organizations actualize their strategic capacity-building plans. Following participation in the iCAP or iCAP Core program, foundation staff meet with executive leadership of eligible nonprofits to review their plans and identify areas where financial or technical support can be provided. Organizations can apply for this support for up to three years post-plan adoption. The grant supports projects that align with the organization's capacity-building goals and address critical challenges or opportunities tied to organizational development. The program encourages projects that will have a lasting impact and reinforce the organization’s effectiveness. The grant application can be initiated in two ways: by submitting through the foundation’s online portal or by arranging a meeting with a foundation program officer to complete a verbal application. The application requires a variety of detailed components including an organizational update post-iCAP participation, changes in leadership or board structure, progress on the capacity-building plan, a narrative describing the specific funding request, a revised version of the capacity plan, and a budget. Applicants must also provide an outcomes chart that tracks three key measurable goals, along with baseline data, annual targets, and future benchmarks. Financial documentation, such as the most recent IRS Form 990 and audited financial statements, is also required. Eligibility for the iCAP Implementation Grant is strictly limited to nonprofits that completed either the iCAP or iCAP Core program and are headquartered in the designated seven counties of Western New York. A conversation with foundation staff is a mandatory precondition for submission. The foundation does not fund individuals, political groups, religious purposes, endowments, capital campaigns, scholarships, or operating expenses. It encourages transparency in application review and selection, aiming to support organizations aligned with its mission and capacity-building focus. The timeline for the current application cycle begins with the opening of the LOI submission on December 5, 2025. LOIs are due by January 28, 2026. Applicants will be notified by February 11, 2026 if they are invited to proceed. Full applications must be submitted by March 4, 2026. Site visits will take place in April, and final funding decisions will be made in May 2026. Though the November cycle is not occurring this year due to the foundation's 75th anniversary, future rounds are anticipated, and updates will be posted. This grant offers targeted support for nonprofit organizations that are ready to move from planning to action. It is designed to strengthen internal capacity, guided by a thoughtful implementation of previously developed strategies. By requiring engagement with program officers and detailed planning, the foundation ensures that grantees receive tailored support and that resources are used effectively to enhance organizational resilience and impact.

Engage foundation staff early and align request to capacity plan. Demonstrate board support clearly.