Capacity Building Grants for Louisiana Nonprofits, 2025

Nonprofits are the heart of many communities, tackling big challenges with limited resources. But sometimes, even the most mission-driven organizations need to pause and strengthen their internal foundations, whether that means better leadership development, tech upgrades, strategic planning, or evaluation systems. That’s where capacity building grants come in.

What Are Capacity Building Grants?

Capacity building grants are designed to help nonprofits grow stronger from the inside out. Unlike program-specific funding, these grants support organizational infrastructure, things like hiring consultants for strategic plans, improving financial systems, investing in staff development, or upgrading technology. The goal? Long-term sustainability and impact.

Why This List Matters

We’ve curated this list of capacity-building funders open to Louisiana nonprofits each offering support to help your organization thrive. Bookmark this post: we’ll keep it updated each year so you never miss an opportunity.

Capacity Building Grant Opportunities (2025)

1. Greater New Orleans Foundation – The Freeman Challenges

• Deadline: Opens after mandatory readiness workshops in early 2025; formal application dates TBD
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Southeast Louisiana that complete the readiness workshop and can raise matching gifts
• Focus: Long-term financial sustainability (endowments or cash reserves)
• Amount: 2:1 match—raise $50k/$100k/$150k to receive $25k/$50k/$75k
• Link: Freeman Challenges

2. Baton Rouge Area Foundation – Impact Grants

• Deadline: May 30, 2025 (LOI); invited full applications July–August 2025
• Eligibility: At least two-year-old 501(c)(3)s or public agencies in the Capital Region’s nine parishes
• Focus: Includes early childhood workforce capacity and organizational support for community-safety initiatives
• Amount: One-time grants of $5,000–$25,000
• Link: BRAF Impact Grants

3. Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities – Emergency Readiness Grants

• Deadline: 2024 round closed; 2025 RFP expected later this year
• Eligibility: Humanities-focused nonprofits, public agencies, or tribal governments across Louisiana
• Focus: Emergency planning, staff training, and resilience for cultural organizations
• Amount: Up to $10,000; no match required
• Link: LEH Emergency Readiness

4. Huey & Angelina Wilson Foundation – Nonprofit Capacity Building Institute

• Deadline: Applications reopen late June 2025 for Sept 2025–Aug 2026 cohort
• Eligibility: Nonprofits in the ten-parish Greater Baton Rouge area
• Focus: 12-month intensive on governance, HR, finance, data, and fundraising
• Amount: Program (~$5,000 value) is fully funded; no cost to participants
• Link: Wilson Foundation CBI

5. LSU-Shreveport / Beaird Family Foundation – Capacity Building Cohort

• Deadline: October 31, 2024 for the January–August 2025 cohort
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3)s incorporated before 2022 with budgets ≥ $25,000 serving Shreveport-Bossier
• Focus: Workshops plus mentor-guided capacity project
• Amount: $5,000 program value per org; fully grant-funded
• Link: LSU Shreveport Capacity Cohort

6. Bank of America – Neighborhood Builders®

• Deadline: May 1 – June 1, 2025
• Offer: $200,000 flexible grant over two years
• Bonus: Executive and emerging leader training, national peer network access
• Link: Bank of America Neighborhood Builders

7. Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation – Capacity Building Grants

• Deadline: Twice yearly; Spring & Fall 2025
• Focus: Leadership, board governance, evaluation systems, tech, sustainability
• Amount: $100,000–$250,000
• Link: Kauffman Foundation Capacity Building

8. W.K. Kellogg Foundation – Open LOI for Priority Places (includes New Orleans)

• Deadline: Rolling LOI; proposals reviewed quarterly
• Focus: Racial equity, thriving children, working families; capacity requests eligible
• Amount: Multi-year grants; median ≈ $400,000; strong funding in New Orleans
• Link: Kellogg Foundation Priority Places

9. Baptist Community Ministries – Capacity Building Grants

• Deadline: By invitation only
• Eligibility: Small nonprofits in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines parishes
• Focus: Strategic planning, financial management, infrastructure
• Amount: Varies (e.g., $25,000 for strategic planning)
• Link: BCM Capacity Grants

Tips for Writing Successful Capacity Building Grant Applications

1. Be Clear About the Need: Explain the internal challenge and how it limits your impact.
2. Connect to Mission: Show how strengthening your systems helps deliver on your purpose.
3. Use Data and Stories: Mix evidence and real-life examples to make your case compelling.
4. Present a Solid Plan: Include a timeline, budget, and measurable outcomes.
5. Demonstrate Leadership Support: Show buy-in from your board and executive team.
6. Tailor Each Application: Align your language and strategy with each funder’s priorities.