Capacity-Building Grants for Small Nonprofits in Georgia, 2025

Running a small nonprofit in Georgia? If you’re trying to grow your impact but don’t have the budget for tools, staff training, or systems upgrades, capacity-building grants are what you need. These grants are designed to support your organization itself—not just the programs you run.

They help you build a stronger, smarter nonprofit that can serve your community better and longer.

Let’s break down the top grant opportunities available in Georgia for 2025, and how your nonprofit can apply.

Why Capacity-Building Money Matters

Capacity-building grants pay for the people, plans, and platforms that keep your programs running. Think:

• Staff training
• Donor databases
• Strategic planning
• Vehicles and equipment

Funders increasingly recognize that helping a small organization “run smarter” is often more powerful than funding a one-time project.

1. Gwinnett County Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant (ARPA)

• What it funds: Training, planning, equipment, vehicles
• Who it’s for: Nonprofits in Gwinnett County, especially those with budgets under $250,000
• When to apply: Last round was in August 2024; next expected in late 2025
• Learn more

2. Georgia Council for the Arts – Project Grant (Capacity Track)

• Grant size: $1,000 – $5,000 (requires 50% match)
• Eligible expenses: Strategic planning, fundraising planning, or professional development (arts-focused organizations only)
• Next deadline: Guidelines reopen every February for the next fiscal year
• Learn more

3. Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta (CFGA)

Spark Opportunity Grants

• What it funds: Up to $20,000 for grassroots organizations
• How to apply: Rolling applications accepted
• Learn more

GoATL Community Capacity Fund

• What it funds: Low-interest loans for major capacity needs (systems, vehicles, etc.)
• Learn more

4. Community Foundation of Central Georgia – Nonprofit Grants

• What it funds: Coaching, evaluation tools, software upgrades
• Grant size: $2,500 – $22,000
• When to apply: Twice a year (spring and fall cycles)
• Learn more

5. Sapelo Foundation – Organization Development Fund

• Grant size: Up to $2,000
• What it funds: Consultant support, strategic planning, and other quick-turn help
• Apply: Monthly; quick and simple application
• Learn more

6. Betty & Davis Fitzgerald Foundation

• Focus areas: Mental health and education (within the Atlanta area)
• Grant size: Around $30,000
• When to apply: Three cycles per year
• Learn more

Why Capacity Money Is Worth the Chase

Unlike program-restricted dollars, capacity grants fund your nonprofit’s backbone—staff skills, technology, planning, and internal systems. Funders listed above specifically say they want small nonprofits to “run smarter, not just do more.”

Even a $5,000 grant for planning or evaluation can unlock future six-figure program awards—because your team will have better systems, stronger data, and a clearer strategy.