Capacity Building Grant Program

The Capacity Building Grant Program invests in all initiatives that help nonprofit organizations strengthen their internal management and governance or deepen strategic collaborations. Our community thrives when our nonprofit sector thrives. Our goal is to support the building of resilient nonprofits that can navigate through challenging times of disruption and leverage opportunities that move their missions forward for the betterment of our community. We focus our grantmaking on organizations serving Horry County.

Examples of capacity-building activities and potential projects:

• Planning Activities: organizational assessments, strategic planning, creating a development plan/strategy or a marketing plan/strategy
• DEI: Diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging initiatives and/or training
• Financial sustainability and strategic development, including diversification of revenue streams and reimagining fundraising activities (note: funds cannot be used specifically for implementing fundraisers)
• Board Development: leadership training, defining the role of the board in fundraising, and strengthening volunteer roles on a board level
• Convening and/or collaboration support: agencies can apply for funding for staff time, resources, or space used to collaborate, develop, strategize, or plan to better serve clients
• Internal Operations: improvements to donor database/financial management systems, volunteer management, equipment, software, technology, or facilities enhancements to better realize the organizational mission
• Human resources: including efforts to promote staff retention and to promote staff/volunteer/board development needed to achieve capacity-building project goals
• Professional Development: staff, contractor, or affiliate volunteer(s) attendance at regional/national conferences, local training, or online training
• Proposals that include a combination of strategies will be considered so long as the proposal clearly demonstrates how multiple strategies align toward common goals.

Projects not eligible or competitive for the Capacity Building Grant Program:

• Ongoing annual operating and program expenses
• Capital infrastructure projects (bricks and mortar)
• Debt Reduction
• Projects that will be completed prior to the grant award
• Capital Campaigns
• Monuments and Memorials
• Sectarian religious organizations promoting a particular faith
  • NOTE: Faith-based 501c3 organizations can apply, but we will only consider proposals if (1) services benefit all, regardless of religion; (2) services provided are not religious in nature; and (3) there is no proselytizing associated with the service

Eligibility and Requirements

This grant application opportunity is open to any qualified nonprofit 501c3 organizations that align with at least one of the four pillars outlined in the UWHC Community Game Plan (Health, Education, Self-Sufficiency, and Basic Needs).

Applicants are eligible to apply for funding once per fiscal year (January 1 to December 31).

Grant Amounts

Projects serving individual organizations may apply for up to $5,000.

Grant Requirements

• Grantees must complete a grant agreement to release funding
• An evaluation is due within one year of the grant award, including project deliverables and budgetary documentation

Interested in applying?

We recognize capacity-building needs can vary widely and welcome the opportunity to explore possibilities with you. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Please reach out to Katie Wise, Director of Community Impact, at katie@unitedwayhorry.org to schedule a meeting to discuss your application further.

If you have any questions, please e-mail Katie Wise, Director of Community Impact, at katie@unitedwayhorry.org or call directly at (843) 347-1183 for more information.

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