501(c)(3) organizations in Northwest Ohio with annual operating budgets under $500,000 are eligible to apply. Applicants must be dedicated to making a positive impact in our priority areas of housing stability, food security, and youth education.

Both current grantees and new applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines and begin preparing their materials in advance of the application opening dates.

Capacity Building applications may request up to $15,000 for a one year grant to strengthen internal infrastructure, such as fundraising, marketing, technology, evaluation or strategic planning.

Funding may cover external consultant fees, trainer costs, or professional development expenses.

Applicants will be asked to submit:

• Financial information, including your current organizational budget and recent financial statements.

• Letter of Support from your Board Chair or a copy of Board Meeting Minutes indicating approval of this capacity building initiative.

• Narrative responses describing the specific capacity need, the proposed solution, and how this investment will improve long-term organizational health.

• Project Quotes, such as a consultant’s proposal or a description of the intended professional development program. 

• The application will open on June 29, 2026 with a July 27, 2026 deadline.

• All eligible applications will be reviewed by a committee of foundations staff and community leaders.

• Awards will be announced in August 2026.

• Applications must be submitted online through our grantmaking platform.

• To ensure an equitable review process, late or incomplete applications cannot be accepted, and deadline extensions will not be granted.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@jhefoundation.org