For Nonprofits

About Our Investments

Through our grantmaking, we will strengthen community access to essential building blocks, from stable housing and nutritious food to quality educational opportunities for youth. We will champion solutions that get to the root causes of community challenges, not just the symptoms. Our support will foster partnerships that build shared power and accountability, and promote proactive, long-term strategies that cultivate well-being, stability, and generational opportunity. To put this vision into action, we are focused on the following opportunities:

    • Capacity Building: One-year grants for small and mid-size organizations to strengthen internal capacity in areas such as fundraising and development, marketing and communications, technology upgrades, and evaluation and planning. Funding may be used to cover costs associated with hiring external consultants or trainers, or expenses related to professional development.
    • Growth and Resilience: One-year grants to support program operations and expenses as well as small capital purchases that advance organizational growth, program expansion, or resilience in the face of challenges.
    • Operational Sustainability: Operational, multi-year grants by invitation to returning grantees with demonstrated impact, strong leadership, and measurable success. These grants are intended to provide reliable support for organizations advancing systemic change. 

2026 Capacity Building Grants

Eligibility:

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.

How to Apply:

Applications for 2026 Capacity Building grants open on June 29, 2026 and close July 27, 2026.
Grant awards will be announced in August 2026.

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. 

All eligible applications will be reviewed by a committee of foundation staff and community leaders. Funding decisions will be informed by alignment with the Foundation’s priorities, potential for increased organizational efficiency, project feasibility, and long-term sustainability of the impact.

Applications must be submitted online through our grantmaking platform by the stated deadline. To ensure an equitable review process, late or incomplete applications cannot be accepted, and deadline extensions will not be granted.

Additional Opportunities

Applications for 2026 Growth & Resilience grants are now closed.  Grant awards will be announced in June 2026.
At this time, Operational Sustainability investments are offered by invitation only.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the request process, please email [email protected].