Grant and Scholarship Funding Resources

NPA administers two area capacity building funds that award grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Calhoun County. 

 

Under the guidelines of both funds, the term capacity building refers to the process of strengthening an organization and its infrastructure in order to improve its performance and impact. 

In an organization, infrastructure commonly refers to the systems that keep it running, such as financial management and reporting, record keeping, technology, marketing, fundraising, etc. 

 

Just as a city’s infrastructure (roads, bridges, sewers) keeps the city functioning, an organization’s infrastructure needs to be strong and adaptable to meet the organization’s needs as it grows and changes.

 

Program related expenses as well as costs associated with the daily operations of an organization (materials, equipment, staff, etc) are not eligible.  Please see the guidelines for each fund for more information about applicant and project eligibility.

 

Guidelines, applications and final project report forms can be found below.  A consultant feedback survey is also provided.  This survey should be submitted along with final grant reports for projects that utilize consultant services. 

 

Completed applications and accompanying attachments should be sent to Kimberlee Andrews-Bingham.

 

This fund awards grants to nonprofits that provide the majority of their services in Battle Creek. Proposals are due the first of each month for review later that same month. 

 

Contributing funders include the Battle Creek Community Foundation, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Miller Foundation, United Way of Greater Battle Creek and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. 

 

Applicants applying to this fund are ineligible for application to the Greater Calhoun County Capacity Building Fund. 

 

This fund awards grants to nonprofits that provide the majority of their services outside of Battle Creek but still in Calhoun County. Proposals are accepted two times per year on March 15 and September 15.  

 

Contributing funders include the Albion Community Foundation, Athens Area Community Foundation, Community Foundation Alliance of Calhoun County, Homer Area Community Foundation, Marshall Community Foundation and Michigan Nonprofit Association. 

Applicants applying to this fund are ineligible for application to the NPA Capacity Building Fund.