CSHF defines capacity-building work as discreet projects that help an organization acquire or strengthen organizational skills, strategies, systems and/or structures. They often involve the use of an outside expert consultant. For CSHF, capacity-building funding may not be used for ongoing operating expenses or capital projects. CSHF offers other grant opportunities designed for general operating, program or capital needs and you can learn more about them here.
Mini-grant requests may not exceed $5,000.
Opportunity Eligibility
The request must align with at least one of the Foundation’s funding focus areas and benefit the El Paso or Teller County Region. Please see information on CSHF’s funding focus areas here.
Organizations that have a current, open general operating, program or capital grant are eligible to apply for capacity-building funding.
An organization may be awarded no more than two capacity-building grant awards in a given calendar year.
Examples of Capacity-Building Initiatives
Planning (strategic, operational, succession, funds development, communications etc.)
Impact Assessment (e.g. program evaluation)
One-time or infrequent volunteer or staff training, e.g. board governance training, leadership coaching, etc.)
Merger, dissolution or other restructuring efforts
Process improvement work (e.g. LEAN)
One-time technology needs (e.g. computer hardware)
What it is not
Funding for ongoing operating expenses (e.g. salaries, benefits, supplies, lease, software subscriptions, ongoing training)
Funding for capital projects
Support for capacity-building needs that exceed $5,000 in cost (CSHF has another capacity-building opportunity for larger initiatives)