The Improve Group has often come across organizations which express the need for capacity building to increase their ability to serve communities at risk. Unfortunately, many groups do not possess the funding to make their wishes a reality. It is for those nonprofits and other smaller organizations that I am writing today’s Grant Gazing.

This week’s pick: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS), will award funds to “deliver capacity building services to faith-based and community organizations through the provision of training, technical assistance, and sub-awards.” This opportunity is called the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) Demonstration Program – funding #HHS-2007-ACF-OCS-EJ-0035 and CFDA #93.009. The idea behind this grant is to provide funding for capacity building activities for grassroots faith-based and community groups to create a more sustainable organization. Applications are due May 7, 2007. More information is found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2007-ACF-OCS-EJ-0035.html.

A second opportunity from ACF is called the Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building Program funding # HHS-2007-ACF-OCS-IJ-0036 and CFDA # 93.009. It focuses on helping to “build the capacity of faith-based and community organizations that address the needs of distressed communities.” Organizations who apply for this grant need to be addressing programmatic service areas for neighborhoods with high unemployment and high poverty rates. Applications are due April 10, 2007. For full details on this grant go to http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2007-ACF-OCS-IJ-0036.html.

Both of theses opportunities include evaluation as part of their requirements. If you are planning to apply, we would appreciate it if you would consider using the Improve Group as your evaluator. As part of choosing our services we would be happy to assist your organization in writing the evaluation section of your proposal.