Capital Grants

A capital campaign is an intensive fundraising effort organized to meet a specific financial goal within a specified period of time. Included within the classification of a capital campaign are such projects as the construction of a facility, purchase of equipment and endowment support. A capital grant should do more than just build or renovate a building. An ideal capital grant helps an organization that is already strong. Capital projects, when done right, can be transformational, changing the arc of the nonprofit organizations that they support.

This Content Collection includes several articles and briefing papers from family foundations that have used capital grants as a core part of their strategy, along with sample guidelines for capital grants.

Colleague Perspectives and Guidance

Building Impact: Tools for Making Good Capital Grants

Article

Capital projects are frequently transformational, changing the arc of the nonprofit organizations that choose to build. Unlike program grants that aim to advance change in complex systems, the process for a capital grant is seemingly transactional: a grant is made, and a structure is built or renovated. As many nonprofits…

What should my foundation consider when reviewing a request for a capital grant?

Ask the Center

While capital grants are technically just one aspect or component of a robust grantmaking strategy, there are a few questions and considerations that are unique to capital grants. There are campaign considerations like a strong fundraising strategy, building considerations like effective design, and evaluation processes. The Eckerd Foundation has provided…