Capacity Building Grants for NYC Nonprofits (2025)

New York City is home to thousands of grassroots organizations doing vital work across youth development, the arts, housing justice, racial equity, and more. But even the most passionate and impactful nonprofits need strong internal systems to thrive, from finance and HR to evaluation, strategy, and tech.

That’s where capacity-building grants come in. These are dedicated funds designed to help nonprofits strengthen their core infrastructure so they can grow, sustain impact, and weather change.

Below is a carefully curated and up-to-date list of the most relevant capacity-building grant opportunities specifically for NYC-based nonprofits. Whether you’re a youth-led CBO, an arts org, or a BIPOC-led justice initiative - this guide has something for you.

1. Youth Service Capacity-Building Grants – William T. Grant Foundation

• Next deadline: Last cycle closed Sept 18, 2024 — anticipate similar timeline in 2025
• Focus: Strengthening internal infrastructure of small NYC nonprofits that serve youth ages 5–25 (e.g., finance systems, HR, tech, evaluation)
• Eligibility: NYC-based youth-serving CBO; operating budget $250K–$1M; 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored
• Grant amount: $60K over three years ($30K / $20K / $10K + $10K matching in Year 3)
• Link

2. New York Foundation – Core Grants with Capacity-Building Resources

• Deadline: March 3, 2025 (single annual cycle)
• Focus: General operating support plus access to legal, coaching, and $5K mini-grants for grassroots advocacy/organizing
• Eligibility: NYC 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored orgs focused on community-led advocacy/organizing
• Grant amount: $47,500/year for up to three years (five for emerging groups)
• Link

3. Alexandra Hallock Capacity-Building Grant – Cause Strategy Partners

• Deadline: March 14, 2025 (applications open Jan 15)
• Focus: Human rights, women/girls empowerment, LGBTQ equality — emphasis on back-office systems/governance
• Eligibility: U.S.-based 501(c)(3); operating ≥ 12 months; revenue ≤ $400K (NYC orgs qualify)
• Grant amount: $20K unrestricted + ~$10K pro bono consulting & board-development resources
• Link

4. Booth Ferris Foundation – Strengthening NYC Program

• Deadline: Next LOI window likely Nov 15, 2025; proposals due Feb 1, 2026
• Focus: One-time capacity-building or capital projects to improve infrastructure, equity, or effectiveness
• Eligibility: NYC 501(c)(3)s with budgets > $1M for last 3 years
• Grant amount: $50K–$200K/year, 1–3 year grants
• Link

5. NYSCA / NYFA Reserve Fund Grants

• Deadline: Opens Apr 22, 2025; closes Jun 17, 2025
• Focus: Create/bolster reserve funds for NYS arts nonprofits — a critical capacity buffer
• Eligibility: NY-based arts orgs (budget < $3M) who received NYSCA support in FY23–25
• Grant amount: $10K–$75K + coaching on reserve strategy
• Link

6. NYC Green Fund Grassroots Grants – City Parks Foundation

• Deadline: Feb 28, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET
• Focus: Community stewardship of NYC parks/open spaces — includes an org-development track
• Eligibility: Groups with prior-year expenses < $175K working in NYC public green space
• Grant amount: $1K–$40K/year (avg. 2024 grant: $5K)
• Link

7. Altman Foundation – Capacity-Building Investments (LOI)

• Deadline: Rolling LOIs; eligibility quiz opens application
• Focus: Internal capacity across cultural engagement, health, and community-strengthening
• Eligibility: NYC 501(c)(3) nonprofits aligned with Altman priorities
• Grant amount: Case-by-case
• Link

8. Brooklyn Org – General Operating Support (Capacity Building)

• Deadline: Rolling; next decision Sep 30, 2025
• Focus: Racial-justice-oriented capacity-building for BIPOC-led orgs in Brooklyn
• Eligibility: Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored groups
• Grant amount: Up to $45K/year for 3 years
• Link

9. Robin Hood Foundation – GRIT (Grant Readiness & Insights Training)

• Deadline: Opens each spring (monitor site for 2025)
• Focus: Cohort-based leadership development + mini-grants for capacity
• Eligibility: Mid-sized NYC CBOs with rising executive leadership
• Grant amount: Technical assistance + potential capacity mini-grants
• Link

10. Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® Program

• Deadline: May 1 – June 1, 2025
• Focus: Economic mobility, leadership training, and core capacity
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3); revenue must exceed 10% of grant amount; must commit to two-year leadership program
• Grant amount: $200K over 2 years + executive leadership development
• Link

11. TD Charitable Foundation – Capacity Building Grants

• Deadline: Twice/year; check site for current dates
• Focus: Strengthens tactics, talent, tools; aligned with TD’s LMI community goals
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) or public school/government entities; budget ≤ $2M
• Grant amount: $25K–$150K; plus rolling $1K staff dev. fund
• Link

12. Staten Island Foundation – Capacity Building Grants

• Deadline: Rolling
• Focus: Infrastructure, governance, and management systems for nonprofits in Staten Island
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) aligned with Foundation focus: education, health, arts, or community
• Grant amount: $5K–$150K based on project needs
• Link

13. Trinity Church Wall Street – Leadership Development Grants

• Deadline:
  • Cycle 1: Inquiries due Dec 16, 2024; apps due Jan 31, 2025
  • Cycle 2: Inquiries due May 30, 2025; apps due June 27, 2025
• Focus: Strengthens religious leadership capacity in NYC with equity/justice lens
• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4), or fiscally sponsored
• Grant amount: $80K–$350K per grant
• Link

14. North Star Fund – NYC Organizing Grants

• Deadline: Next cycle opens Feb 19, 2025; due Mar 31, 2025, 9:00 PM ET
• Focus: General operating for grassroots organizing led by directly impacted communities
• Eligibility: NYC orgs; budget < $800K; prioritizes BIPOC-led initiatives
• Grant amount: Typically $20K in general support
• Link

Tips for Crafting a Successful Grant Application

Securing a capacity-building grant means showing funders that your internal strength is key to your external impact. Here’s how to stand out:

1. Align Clearly with the Funder’s Priorities

Read the funder’s focus areas closely. Make it easy for them to see how your work — and the project you’re proposing — fits within their mission.

2. Show the ROI on Capacity Investments

Funders want to know: What will be different if we fund you? Whether it’s faster program delivery, better data, or stronger financial systems — spell out the tangible benefits.

3. Tell a Powerful (Yet Practical) Story

Use both data and narrative. Demonstrate your impact, but also highlight where your team is stretched and how this grant would make a difference.

4. Get Specific

Avoid vague language like “we need more support.” Instead: “We need a part-time finance manager and CRM system to track donor engagement and reduce audit risk.”

Bookmark this list and revisit throughout the year — deadlines and requirements evolve. With thoughtful planning and strong storytelling, your organization can secure the resources it needs to grow stronger from the inside out.