Capacity Building Grant

Applications must be submitted online by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026. Applications submitted after the specified deadline will not be considered.

All applicants will be notified via email the status of their request by September 20, 2026.  Funded projects must be completed by October 1, 2027.

We will award a total of $120,000 for capacity building projects that help nonprofit organizations and their leaders improve knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that contribute to effective and long-term organizational performance. Financial investments from local businesses that are members of our Community Impact Circle are helping to support the funding of these grants this year.

Eligible organizations may apply for a Capacity Building grant up to $20,000 for projects in the following areas:

Donor Engagement & Fund Development

For projects that cultivate deeper donor relationships, increase giving, and develop effective fundraising strategies

Technology Upgrades & Implementation

For projects that improve organizational efficiency, increase productivity, and/or provide better data security

Applications will be accepted from nonprofit charitable organizations that:

• are public charities classified as exempt from federal income taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• primarily serve DuPage County residents
• have received a grant within the last three years through the DuPage Foundation’s Community Impact or Arts DuPage Grant Program

The Foundation will not award Capacity Building grants to:

• Individuals
• Organizations for religious activities (Secular activities provided by religious organizations may be eligible for grant funds.)
• Endowments
• Disease-specific organizations
• Private foundations and private operating foundations
• Hospitals, including supporting foundations
• Governmental agencies, including supporting foundations
• Public, parochial, private, or charter schools (pre-k through 12th grade), including supporting foundations

Additionally, grants will not be awarded for capital projects, vehicles, furniture, consumable supplies, or general operating costs.

Evaluation Criteria

• Application clearly describes how the capacity building project will improve the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission
• Application articulates the expected ROI of the grant
• Project has a realistic timeline for implementation and completion
• Project addresses a current organizational need and there is board support and internal capacity to implement the project
• Potential vendors, consultants, and/or products for the project have been thoroughly researched and identified
• Funding sources for project budgets that exceed the requested grant amount have been identified or secured
• Priority will be given to organizations that have not received a Capacity Building grant within the past three years

Proposals must be submitted via the online grant application process. To begin the online grant application process, applicants will need to create an account by providing basic information (email address, password, name, organization, EIN#, address, etc.). Once you have initially created your account, you will be able to access current and past grant applications.