Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative

The Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative, led by the Northern New York Community Foundation, is designed to support nonprofit organizations located within Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties of New York State. With a strong regional focus, this initiative aims to empower nonprofits by enhancing their internal capabilities, ensuring they can operate more effectively and sustainably in their service to local communities. The Foundation, a long-standing philanthropic leader in Northern New York, manages a variety of competitive grant programs and is committed to strengthening community infrastructure through strategic investments in local nonprofit institutions. This initiative provides grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofits that seek external resources or professional consultation to address capacity-building needs. Eligible uses include strategic planning, leadership coaching, board development, fundraising and development strategy, grant writing support, organization assessments in areas such as financial management or human resources, training to improve mid-level staff skills, and collaboration planning with other nonprofits. All applicants must present a well-articulated need, a detailed plan for how the grant will be used, and a proposed consultant or expert with a proven track record. The work proposed must directly align with the organization’s mission and demonstrate a compelling rationale for the anticipated improvement. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, allowing nonprofits to submit proposals at any time without a fixed deadline. However, the program will not support staffing or operational expenses for existing programs, capital improvement costs, attendance at professional conferences, reimbursement for previously initiated work, or production of marketing materials. In addition, grants will not be awarded to religious organizations for religious purposes, although projects with broader community impact may be considered. To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c)(3) charitable organizations or public entities such as school districts or municipalities. They must also be physically located in or actively serving residents within the three-county target region. A prerequisite conversation with Foundation staff is encouraged before submission, offering applicants a chance to align their proposals with the Foundation’s goals and to strengthen their overall application. The program strongly values collaboration and expects applicants to contribute financially or in-kind to the project, demonstrating shared investment and sustainability. The application requires submission of several supporting documents, including a detailed project budget, the organization’s operating budget, IRS Form 990, a board-approved authorization letter, and a list of the board of directors. Additional attachments such as media coverage, letters of support, or related materials are encouraged to illustrate the organization’s work and the potential community impact of the capacity-building initiative. For inquiries, applicants can reach out directly to Max DelSignore, Vice President at the Northern New York Community Foundation, via email at [email protected]. Interested organizations are encouraged to visit the online portal to begin the application process and ensure they meet the program’s specific requirements. The ongoing, rolling review process allows organizations flexibility in timing while providing essential support to build long-term operational resilience.

Applicants are encouraged to speak with Foundation staff before applying to strengthen alignment.