Capacity Building Grants
The Dyson Foundation’s Capacity Building grant program funds Mid-Hudson Valley nonprofit organizations and libraries that meet our general funding guidelines who are interested in capacity building projects to improve administrative, governance, and/or programmatic functions. Capacity Building grants enable nonprofit board, staff, and volunteer leaders to develop new skills through consultant-led capacity-building activities, or through conferences, seminars, and other training opportunities.
Capacity Building grants are available for:
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
- Assessment, consulting, and policy development
- Operational enhancements
- Fiscal systems
- Human resources
- Organizational assessments
- Policies and procedures
- Program development and evaluation
- Planning
- Communications
- Resource development
- Strategic
- Succession
- Technology, including Artificial Intelligence
- Professional development
- Executive coaching
- Conferences, seminars, and training
Prior to submitting a Letter of Inquiry via the Grants Portal, organizations are encouraged to contact Jennifer Killian, Program Officer to discuss your organization’s eligibility and capacity-building project.
Capacity Building grants will fund up to 80% of the total cost of a consultancy or training, with a maximum award of $15,000, and require a 20% match from the organization. Applicants may include overhead costs (up to 15% of the budget), but not staff time, on the project budget. Capacity Building grants are generally limited to one per calendar year, which can be awarded concurrently with general operating or designated Dyson Foundation funding.
Capacity Building Grant Criteria
Capacity Building Grants are generally not considered for:
- New and emerging organizations that have yet to establish formal governance, programming, and/or community and funding support.
- Organizations with operating budgets greater than $20 million.
- Organizations serving the whole of New York State.
Capacity Building Grants cannot be used for:
- Direct professional services (i.e. architectural design, grant writing, web design).
- Training as required for organizational licensing or professional certification.
- Projects already in progress.
While not required for Capacity Building grant funding, organizations may benefit from discussing their training and consulting needs with the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON), which offers many of these services. Organizations considering any consultant engagement may find How to Hire a Consultant (PDF) helpful.
Although the Dyson Foundation does not recommend consultants, we are happy to provide consultant suggestions for organizations to explore.
Capacity Building implementation Grants
Following the completion of a Capacity Building grant funded consultancy or training, grantees may apply for a follow-up implementation grant of up to $3,000 to cover the costs of enacting the results or recommendations of the project (including continued consulting, marketing materials, web design, etc.). Grantees interested in applying for implementation funds should first contact Jennifer Killian, Program Officer.
Mid-Hudson Valley 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are outside of the Dyson Foundation’s capacity building grant funding guidelines may contact NYCON’s Hudson Valley Regional Office to inquire about limited, no-cost technical assistance resources available in the region.