A Funding Opportunity for Capacity Building

The Grow Your Impact Program helps Hall County nonprofits strengthen their internal operations, deepen their long-term sustainability, and increase their effectiveness. Through this grant opportunity, the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation supports organizations that are investing in their own growth—whether through improved systems, stronger leadership, or enhanced capacity to serve the community. Applications are accepted each fall, and grants of up to $10,000 are awarded based on recommendations from the Foundation’s Capacity Building Sub-Committee and approval by the Board of Trustees.

Grant Eligibility 

The Greater Grand Island Community Foundation awards grants to both private and public organizations. To be eligible for a Capacity Building grant, organizations must fit within the following parameters: 

• Organizations classified as 501(c)(3) charitable organizations by the Internal Revenue Service and in good standing. 501(c)(3) private foundations may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

• Organizations applying may only receive a capacity-building grant every three calendar years 
• If prior funding has been received, all assigned follow-ups with due dates before the grant award date must be completed and accepted prior to applying for additional funding in any Greater Grand Island grant program 
• Greater Grand Island Community Foundation serves the greater Grand Island area. Except when extraordinary circumstances apply, only programs and projects in Hall County will be considered for support 
• All applicants must meet with Foundation staff to discuss their proposed initiative prior to starting the application 

Preference

Preference will be given to initiatives that: 

• Align with the current evaluation rubric  

Ineligiblity

Grants for the following purposes are not eligible: 

• To individuals 
• Religious or political purposes 
• Endowments, capital campaigns, annual fund drives, vehicles, furniture, ongoing operational or program delivery costs, consumable supplies, or food/beverages for meetings or events 
• In limited circumstances, staff salaries may be considered eligible if: 
  • the organization can show how an existing or temporary staff member will devote specific time to achieving the capacity building initiative in a similar way to a consultant and 
  • the organization can demonstrate financial need to offset other support for that staff member – for example, that a staff member is usually funded by a restricted source that will not pay for the time to engage in this capacity-building initiative. 
• Salaries to carry out existing, new, or increased program delivery and operational activities are not eligible
• Fundraising event sponsorships or creation of fundraising event collateral materials 
• Request for additional funding for initiatives that have already been approved and funded 
• Individual conference registrations without a comprehensive dissemination plan 
• Incomplete requests 
• Completed proposals or initiatives that have begun implementation 
• Feasibility Studies

Purpose

Grants for the following purposes will be considered: 

• Board training and education to strengthen and enhance the organization's governance through training or assistance from an expert in the field  
• Critical equipment 
• Staff training to enhance governance, management, or program delivery  
• Strategic planning and visioning for the future of the organization 
• Technology/software upgrades, networking, branding, and information dissemination  
• Other assessment, consulting, or facilitation that improves an identified area of organizational capacity 
• Enable organizations to merge operations and/or programming to ensure sustainability 

Evaluation Criteria

The following criteria are utilized by the Capacity Building Sub-Committee when evaluating proposals and making funding recommendations to the Board of Trustees:  

• Submitted application and materials 
• Current evaluation rubric 
• Knowledge of the organization 
• Prior funding