CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTMAKING GUIDELINES
Applications open September 9, 2020. Deadline September 30, 2020
Capacity Building Grants will be given out twice a year: Spring and Fall.
An organization can only be awarded one grant per calendar year, unless you are specifically invited to apply for a second round of support.
Eligibility
Applicants must be an IRS 501(c)3 public charity, school, government entity or religious organization. Requested support must be for organizations or activities that take place in one or more counties in the geographic focus of the Black Hills Area Community Foundation: Oglala-Lakota, Fall River, Custer, Pennington, Meade, Lawrence and Butte.
What Types of Projects Are Funded?
Due to economic impact of COVID 19 on non-profits: BHACF is adjusting the 2020 Fall Capacity Building Grant to allow for more flexibility.
Requests for support must address one or more of the following categories of capacity building or sustainability:
- Increased staffing requirements due to COVID CDC guidelines
- Equipment/Supplies necessary to be in compliance with COVID CDC guidelines
- Program support for work that is critical to your mission
- Measurements and Evaluation
- Partnership Development
- Strategic Planning
- Board Engagement/Development
- Marketing and Donor Engagement
- Technology needs and technical support
- Staff Development/Retention
Requests must address the long-term sustainability of the organization.
What Types of Projects Are NOT Funded?
- Grants will NOT be awarded to support religious activity, political activity, fundraisers or benefits, debt retirement, or organizations working to primarily influence legislation.
- Supported organizations and activities may NOT discriminate against any individual or group based on race, gender, gender expression, age, disability, religion, ethnic or national origin, or otherwise legally protected groups.
- Funding for multi-year projects or support will not be considered.
- Please do not submit any requests of support for capital campaigns, they will not be considered.
Grant Review Criteria
In reviewing applications, the Foundation’s Grant-making Committee will consider the following criteria:
- Does the organization and its related efforts improve the quality of life and meet identified needs in the Black Hills region?
- Does the organization maximize community resources through cooperation, collaboration and shared learning?
- Will the developed capacity improve the operational and programmatic functions of the organization?
- Will the proposed capacity to be developed improve the long-term sustainability of the organization?
Other Considerations
The maximum allowable grant designated within this opportunity is $5,000. BHACF will not take solicited requests for additional support beyond the 1-year grant period. However, organizations needing additional support beyond the designated grant period may receive an invitation to apply for a second round of funding.
Grant-making Process and Timeline
All applications will be reviewed by the BHACF Grant-making Committee twice a year. Grants will then be recommended to the Board of Directors for approval. Notice of grant decisions will be communicated to all applicants within a reasonable amount of time after the BHACF Board has made their decisions. Those organizations chosen to receive a grant will be asked to sign a grant agreement within a week of being notified of their grant award and will be responsible for providing a final report at the completion of the grant related work or within 30 days following the completion of the grant year.
