Boosting Nonprofits Where It Counts
October 29, 2024
| By La Crosse Community Foundation |
New LACF Capacity Building Grant program focuses on operations and growth
Nonprofits often face a daunting reality: their passion for their mission doesn’t always align with the skills required to manage complex operations, from accounting to board governance to staff management. Leaders frequently find themselves stretched thin, juggling their core work with responsibilities for which they may not have been trained.
New Capacity Building Grant strengthens nonprofits from the inside out
Guided by that and other input from area nonprofit organizations, La Crosse Area Community Foundation recently launched an innovative grant program designed to give nonprofits exactly what they need — real support for their operations and growth. Through the new Capacity Building Grant program, up to 70% of each grant can be used for critical operational costs, while the rest focuses on essential training to strengthen nonprofits from the inside out.
What makes this program stand out is its recognition that operational support is just as important as funding for projects and services. Providing grant funding for operations allows nonprofits to keep their doors open, pay staff, and maintain their infrastructure — things that are critical to their ability to deliver on their mission but are often underfunded. This financial flexibility helps nonprofits address immediate needs while also making room to focus on long-term improvements through training.
LACF issues first round of Capacity Building Grants
LACF recently awarded its first round of Capacity Building Grants, earmarking $300,000 to be disbursed in year one of three-year grants to the following recipients:
- Hmoob Cultural and Community Center — $100,000 (Provides community development, advocacy, and cultural revitalization.)
- Sustainability Institute — $50,000 (Supports sustainability efforts and connects people involved in those efforts.)
- La Crosse Lighthouse — $60,000 (Provides outreach, advocacy, and connection for people in recovery.)
- Next Steps for Change — $90,000 (Provides peer support to individuals who use substances to find their own pathway to recovery.)
Capacity Building Grants are provided in a strategic, multi-year approach to maximize the impact on nonprofit sustainability and growth. Individual grants typically will range from $50,000 to $90,000, awarded for at least two consecutive years. In addition to this financial support, grantees receive significant in-kind resources, including ongoing technical assistance and coaching throughout the grant period. This combination of financial aid and capacity-building guidance ensures nonprofits meet immediate operational needs while strengthening their overall infrastructure for long-term success.
Another feature that makes Capacity Building Grants different is that when nonprofits apply for them, they’re encouraged to identify their strengths and areas for improvement without fear that doing so will hurt their chances of receiving funding. In fact, the grant committee seeks out organizations that could most benefit from LACF’s combined financial and training support. The goal isn’t just to sustain nonprofits but to equip them to become stronger, more effective, and better equipped to serve communities throughout La Crosse County.
Helping nonprofits thrive
By easing the burden of daily operational challenges and offering targeted support, this grant program ensures that nonprofits not only survive but thrive, impacting the community for years to come.