Implementation Grant Guidelines

Building Nonprofit Capacity

Application for CBF funding is a 2-step process. You must receive a grant to plan a capacity building project which can range from 1-2 years in duration in order to apply for implementation funding.

Grants will be in the range of $20,000 to $25,000.

Guidelines and Requirements

Only networks that have been awarded Capacity Building Fund Planning Grants are eligible to apply for CBF Implementation Grant funding.

  • All participating organizations (there must be at least 5) must sign off on a joint Letter of Agreement to learn together according to the submitted plan.
  • The lead organization that will administer the grant and contact person must be identified (title, telephone, email, address and fax numbers, please).
  • Organizations must be working to engage people in community and public life on issues that benefit the common good in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
  • Organizations must demonstrate how their respective learning network supports, facilitates or contributes to social justice through this capacity building project.
  • Learning Networks have to be able to send a consistent designee from the lead organization and one other person from the partnering organizations (this person can rotate) to 4 grantee meetings over an 18-month to 2-year period.
  • Organizations must share the TSNE values of nondiscrimination and diversity.

Implementation Plans

Six to 10 groups will be funded in the range of $20,000 to $25,000. All plans will be screened by the selection committee comprised of CBF staff and selected advisory members.

There is an online application that must be completed.  Following is information you will provide in the online application:

  1. Name of lead organization and point person contact information (title, address, telephone, email, fax)
  2. Names of organizations that will participate in the learning network including contract person (with title, telephone, address, email)
  3. Description of how the plan was developed (who led, who participated)
  4. The Plan:
    1. Description of the goal of the capacity building or learning project for:
      1. the learning network
      2. each individual organization
    2. How did the group assess that this learning matters to constituents?
    3. What are the implementation steps? Be logical, realistic, and show timelines.
    4. Please attach a detailed budget that shows the full cost of implementation. What part of the budget is TSNE funding? (It is okay if TSNE provides the full cost of budget.) If other funders are involved or other support is being sought, please list.
    5. Please tell us how your network shares the TSNE values of nondiscrimination and inclusion (stated below).
  5. Organizational Commitment:
    1. How did each participating organization assess what value this capacity building/learning process will add to its respective organization?
    2. Describe the involvement that each individual organization’s leadership had with the planning process.
    3. How will your network manage turnover of a key person among the five or more organizations and/or the loss of a participating organization?
  6. Longer-term Benefits of Capacity Building Process:
    1. How do you assume the field and/or the community in which your network operates will benefit from this learning project?
    2. How does this project contribute to the greater common good, e.g., social justice?

Required Attachments

  • Letter of agreement signed by executive director or leader of participating organizations agreeing to fully participate in the project as described in proposal
  • Other attachments are welcome but please note they are not passed on to our advisory group

Submission

There is an online application form that must be completed. The link to the application will be sent to eligible groups. 

TSNE Values of Nondiscrimination and Inclusion

TSNE values inclusion of all people in the creation of healthy, vibrant and democratic communities. Groups funded through the CBF cannot discriminate in regards to employment or membership in their organization on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation/identity, disability, age, country of origin, citizen status, veteran status or ethnic identity.