Capacity Building Initiative (CBI)
The Capacity Building Initiative funds projects that help nonprofits and local governments in the Chesapeake Bay watershed strengthen their internal systems to advance environmental and community health goals.
Funder: Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Due Dates: July 15, 2026 (Full application deadline for Capacity Building Initiative)
Funding Amounts: Up to $40,000 (Organizational & Movement Building tracks) | Up to $150,000 (Local Government track) | Total program funding anticipated: $1.4 million | Project duration: up to 12 months
Summary: Annual grant program supporting nonprofits and local governments in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to strengthen organizational capacity for environmental and community health impact.
Key Information: Applications must align with Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals; late submissions are not accepted.
Description
The Capacity Building Initiative (CBI) is an annual grant program designed to help nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal Nations operating within the Chesapeake Bay watershed enhance their internal systems, governance, and practices for greater effectiveness and sustainability. The program funds projects that address challenges in strategic planning, board development, fundraising, technology, staff training, and collaborative models—aimed at boosting the long-term impact of organizations working at the intersection of natural resource protection and community well-being.
CBI offers three funding tracks:
- Organizational Capacity Building: For nonprofits to strengthen their own internal capacity.
- Local Government Capacity Building: For local governments or Tribal Nations (or nonprofits supporting them) to improve internal systems or provide targeted capacity-building support.
- Movement Building: For nonprofits providing capacity-building services to other organizations, especially those with lower capacity.
Projects must support or align with at least one of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals.
