Capacity Building Assistance for Nonprofits (CAN)
In October, 2007 the Nonprofit Development Program was awarded a Compassion Capital Demonstration Fund grant from the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC. This three-year grant of approximately $500,000 a year is for strengthening the capacity of smaller and emerging faith-based and community nonprofit organizations. UW-P was selected from a pool of 597 applications as one of only 37 grantees nationwide.
The proposal was developed in partnership with UWCooperative Extension of Racine and Kenosha counties, United Ways of Kenosha and Racine Counties, Kenosha County Department of Human Services, Racine County Department of Human Services, the Volunteer Center of Racine, Racine Interfaith Coalition (RIC) and Congregations United to Serve Humanity (CUSH) of Kenosha.
The goal of the Compassion Capital Program is to strengthen the ability of grassroots, faith-based and community organizations to help economically distressed individuals or families in Kenosha and Racine. The program will provide up to forty nonprofits each year with in-depth technical assistance and training for board and staff members. The training will include workshops and conferences on topics such as organizational assessment,
grant writing and promising practices for nonprofits. In addition, the program will grant $200,000 in competitive capacity-building sub-awards each year for three years.
CAN Timeline
Late October to Late November
Induction Interviews with Pre-assessment. CAN program staff will schedule a 90 minute interview with leaders of each organization applying for membership in the CAN program.
December 2008
Post-Assessment Interviews will be conducted for organizations that were inducted into CAN the previous year.
January 2009
Official RFP will be released.
Proposal Writing and Evaluation Assistance. CAN program staff will review each question on the grant application, providing coaching that will help organizations write a strong proposal.
CAN program staff will schedule technical assistance appointments for organizations would like feedback and coaching prior to submitting a final draft.
Late January
Deadline for Grant Applications.
4:00 pm deadline for submission of mini and expanded capacity grant applications. Grant applications received after the deadline will not receive consideration.
February
Site Visits.
CAN program staff will schedule site visits with organizations applying for expanded capacity grants.
Early March
Grant Awards Announced.
Organizations that submitted a successful grant proposal and have been awarded funds through the CAN program will be notified.
Mid March
Compliance Meeting and Evaluation Training.
This is a mandatory meeting for organizations that have been awarded grant funding in round two. Organizations will complete a W-9 form and Memorandum of Agreement.
Training will be provided to assist organizations in setting up outcomes and indicators to meet federal reporting requirements.
Early June
Mid-point evaluation report due.
Late August
Final evaluation report due.
