Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits in Alabama (2025)

Capacity-building grants are a powerful funding tool that help nonprofits strengthen their internal infrastructure, from leadership training and strategic planning to tech upgrades, evaluation systems, and revenue development. Unlike program grants, which focus on what your organization does, capacity grants invest in how your organization works.

If you’re a nonprofit in Alabama looking to grow your impact, this curated 2025 list of capacity-building grants is designed to help you access support that fuels long-term sustainability and organizational growth.

Bookmark this post, it will be updated yearly.

2025 Capacity-Building Grants in Alabama

Below is a 2025-focused roundup of capacity-building grant programs that Alabama nonprofits can tap into this year, arranged in a single numbered list so you can scan and compare quickly.

1. Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham — Competitive Grants (Strategic Purpose & General Operating)

• Deadline: Fall cycle proposals open July 28 – Aug 15, 2025
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3)s or public charities serving Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, or St. Clair Counties
• Focus: Strategic purpose grants can “increase organizational capacity.” Very small nonprofits (revenue < $100K) may request general operating support.
• Amount: $5,000 – $100,000 (average ≈ $35,000); no formal cap
• Link: CFGB Competitive Grantmaking Guidelines

2. Alabama Power Foundation — Foundation Grants

• Deadline: June 20, 2025 (Cycle 2)
• Eligibility: Alabama-serving 501(c)(3)s, government units, accredited schools in the company’s service territory
• Focus: Broad priorities and Collaborative Impact grants that include tech assistance, outcome tracking, and sustainability
• Amount: No maximum; varies by scope
• Link: Power of Good

3. Central Alabama Community Foundation — Technical Assistance Grants

• Deadline: Rolling submission; decisions released with seasonal grant batches
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3)s serving Lowndes, Macon, or Montgomery Counties
• Focus: One-time support for strategic planning, board training, fundraising systems, marketing, or tech upgrades
• Amount: Up to $2,500 per organization (one request/year)
• Link: CACF Technical Assistance Grants

4. Community Foundation of South Alabama — Atmore Community Foundation Grants

• Deadline: Invitation posted Feb 17, 2025; proposals due Apr 4, 2025
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3), public agency, school, or faith-based nonprofit serving ZIP 36502 (Atmore area)
• Focus: Strategic planning, leadership development, fundraising, and operations
• Amount: ≤ $3,000 (most awards $500–$1,000)
• Link: Community Foundation SA

5. Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama — Summit Grants

• Pre-Application: May 5 – May 19, 2025; full proposals due June 16, 2025
• Eligibility: Nonprofits in Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair, Talladega, Cherokee, Cleburne, Clay, Randolph, or DeKalb Counties
• Focus: Strategic planning, staff training, tech systems
• Amount: Typically $5,000–$25,000
• Link: CFNEA Summit Grants

6. Alabama State Council on the Arts — Operating Support Grants

• Deadline: June 3, 2025 (for FY 2026)
• Eligibility: Arts orgs with average cash income ≥ $600K and track record of excellence
• Focus: Core operations — not project-based
• Amount: Varies by budget; no published cap
• Link: Alabama Arts Council Grants

7. Bank of America — Neighborhood Builders®

• Deadline: May 1 – June 1, 2025
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3)s with past-year revenue ≥ $50K in smaller markets, ≥ $200K in metro markets
• Focus: Leadership development and unrestricted grant funding
• Amount: $50,000 – $200,000 + leadership training
• Link: Bank of America Grants

8. Walmart Foundation — Spark Good Local Grants

• Deadlines: Q2 (May 1 – Jul 15), Q3 (Aug 1 – Oct 15), Q4 (Nov 3 – Dec 31, 2025)
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3)s, schools, or government entities near Walmart/Sam’s Club
• Focus: Tech upgrades, staff development, planning
• Amount: $250 – $5,000
• Link: Walmart Spark Good Grants

9. Truist Foundation — General Grants

• Deadline: Rolling online LOI
• Eligibility: 509(a)(1)/(2) nonprofits aligned with career and small business equity
• Focus: One-time capacity investments (e.g., curriculum, tech, infrastructure)
• Amount: Full project cost; awarded upfront
• Link: Truist Foundation

10. Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation — Capacity Building Grants

• Deadline: Twice yearly (Spring & Fall 2025)
• Focus: Leadership development, board governance, tech upgrades, and evaluation systems
• Amount: $100,000 – $250,000
• Link: Kauffman Foundation Grants

11. W.K. Kellogg Foundation — Open LOI for Priority Places

• Deadline: Rolling LOI, reviewed quarterly
• Focus: Equity, children, and working families; planning, leadership, and systems work eligible
• Amount: Multi-year grants; recent median ≈ $400,000
• Link: Kellogg Foundation

Tips for Crafting a Strong Capacity Grant Application

• Use the funder’s language: If they say “organizational capacity,” echo that exact phrase in your application.
• Request an appropriate amount: Don’t over-ask. Stay within typical grant ranges unless invited otherwise.
• Show that you’re ready: Many grants want to see a board-approved strategic plan or consultant quote.
• Demonstrate outcomes and learning: Funders value both results and your plan for sharing lessons with others.