Capacity Building Grant Program – Now Open

The Chesapeake Bay Trust (Trust) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the FY27 Capacity Building Grant Program, an annual funding opportunity of the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network (CBFN).

Background & Purpose

The Capacity Building Grant Program supports nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal Nations working at the intersection of natural resource protection and community well‑being across the Chesapeake Bay region.

Capacity building refers to work that strengthens how organizations and governments function. When organizations are healthy, they are better equipped to use their resources effectively, sustain their missions, and contribute meaningfully to environmental and community outcomes.

Awards may support an applicant’s internal organizational capacity or, for Movement Building and Local Government applicants, efforts that extend knowledge, tools, or infrastructure beyond the applicant organization.

Funding Partners

The Capacity Building Initiative is supported by members of the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network, including the Agua Fund, Chesapeake Bay Trust, Prince Charitable Trust, and The Campbell Foundation, with additional support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program and the Philip Merrill Family Foundation.

Capacity Building Tracks

Applicants must apply under one of three tracks:

Track 1: Organizational Capacity Building
Supports nonprofit organizations seeking to strengthen their own internal capacity to operate more effectively and sustainably in support of environmental and community health outcomes.

Track 2: Local Government Capacity Building
Supports projects that strengthen the capacity of local governments or Tribal Nations, either by improving internal systems or by providing targeted capacity‑building support such as planning, coordination, or technical assistance.

Track 3: Movement Building
Supports nonprofit organizations serving as capacity‑building providers for other nonprofits. Projects in this track are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of multiple organizations—particularly smaller or lower‑capacity nonprofits—rather than the applicant’s own internal capacity.

What This Program Funds

Capacity‑building projects should address challenges that affect long‑term organizational or governmental effectiveness. Examples include:

  • Strategic or organizational planning
  • Governance or board development
  • Fundraising or revenue development strategies
  • Technology, data, or operational systems improvements
  • Staff training or operational process improvements
  • Shared technical assistance models
  • Collaboration or merger‑related efforts

Capacity Building grants do not provide general operating support; however, funding may be used for staff time directly dedicated to carrying out the proposed capacity‑building work. A comprehensive list of eligible activities is included in the RFP.

Who Can Apply

Requests are encouraged from nonprofit organizations and Tribal or local governments that:

  • Serve communities within the Chesapeake Bay watershed (DC, DE, MD, NY, PA, VA, WV), or the Maryland Coastal Bays and Maryland portion of the Youghiogheny River watershed
  • Have a water and/or natural resource focus aligned with one or more Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals

Additional nonprofit eligibility requirements:

  • 1–40 total staff (including staff counted across a parent organization, if applicable)
  • At least one full‑time staff member (35+ hours/week) or a dedicated volunteer contributing 35+ hours/week
  • An active Board of Directors

See the full RFP for complete eligibility details.

Award Amounts

  • Up to $40,000 for the Organizational Capacity Building and Movement Building tracks
  • Up to $150,000 for the Local Government Capacity Building track
  • Larger requests may be considered with strong justification

Total Funding Available

Approximately $1.4 million is anticipated for this funding round. Final funding amounts are contingent on federal funding availability.

Application Process & Deadline

Applications must be submitted through the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s online grants system.

🗓 Application deadline: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
🔗 Program details, RFP, and application access:
https://cbtrust.org/grants/capacity-building/

Questions or Technical Assistance

Contact Amber Cameron, Program Officer
📧 acameron@cbtrust.org
📞 (410) 974‑2941 x124