CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTMAKING GUIDELINES
Capacity Building Grants will be given out twice a year: Spring and Fall.
An organization cannot be awarded two consecutive capacity building grants 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?
Requests for support must be addressing one or more of the following categories of capacity building:
- 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. For example, BHACF would not consider a request to support payment for 3 months of utilities but would support a request to hire a consultant to improve financial management or donor relations. 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.
- Grant funds cannot be used for reimbursement of any expenses incurred prior to the grant notification date.
- 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. Grantmaking Process and Timeline
All applications will be reviewed by the BHACF Grant-making Committee twice a year. Notice of grant decisions will be communicated to all applicants within a reasonable amount of time after the BHACF Grants Committee 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.
Spring Process: Opens February 1, 2022 | Grant applications due March 15, 2022
Fall Process: Opens September 1, 2022 | Grant applications due October 14, 2022
