Capital Improvement Grants

The Capital Improvement Grants program is administered by Foundations Community Partnership (FCP), a nonprofit foundation based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. FCP is committed to supporting the behavioral health and human service needs of children, young adults, and families within Bucks County. It does so by providing targeted grants that align with its mission to strengthen the community through well-structured and mission-aligned investments. The Capital Improvement Grants are one of several funding programs FCP offers, alongside BIIG, Emergency Action, Nonprofit Growth, and others, with specific eligibility and application protocols tailored to each. The Capital Improvement Grants provide financial assistance for projects that involve significant structural or functional enhancements to an organization’s physical or technical infrastructure. These grants are intended to support nonprofit organizations undertaking capital improvements such as facility renovations, durable equipment upgrades, and investments in IT infrastructure. The funding can be used for capital, programmatic, and personnel costs, offering applicants a broad scope in their planning and budgeting. Applicants must ensure that project budgets detail the use of requested funds and outline the number of Bucks County residents served, emphasizing alignment with FCP’s “Community Mental Health” framework. Eligibility for the Capital Improvement Grants is strictly limited to nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) or qualifying government entities under Section 170(c)(1), with classifications under Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2). Organizations must also demonstrate a clear service connection to behavioral health or human services within Bucks County. Ineligible entities include individuals, political or religious organizations, organizations not in good IRS standing, and projects focused on research or debt reduction. Fiscal sponsorships are allowed only if they meet IRS criteria, with legal agreements in place between the sponsoring organization and the applicant. The application process begins with a mandatory Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which is reviewed by FCP. Upon LOI approval, applicants may proceed to submit the full application. Applications must be submitted online via the FOUNDANT platform, and first-time users are required to create an account. Applicants should be prepared for a due diligence process that includes the submission of independent audits and financial statements, site visits when necessary, and nonprofit verification via GuideStar. FCP may also schedule an introductory meeting, especially for first-time applicants, before releasing the full application portal. Only complete applications received by the deadline are considered. Capital Improvement Grants are awarded twice annually, with two distinct cycles. The spring cycle begins with a Letter of Inquiry deadline on April 1, followed by a full application deadline of April 15 for approved LOIs. The fall cycle mirrors this structure, with the LOI due by October 1 and full application due by October 15. Final grant decisions are made in June and December, respectively, for each cycle. Recipients are required to submit a 12-month final report detailing outcomes aligned with their original goals. Organizations are eligible for only one grant of this type per 12-month period but may reapply if their prior application was not approved. Applicants encountering issues during the application process are encouraged to contact FCP via email at [email protected] or by phone at (267) 247-5584. Additional resources, including grant writing tips and due diligence guidance, can be found through links to the Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia and the Council on Foundations available on FCP's website.