The East Contra Costa Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative is a three-year investment strengthening nonprofit organizations serving East Contra Costa County. The Initiative includes diverse professional development opportunities such as free nonprofit focused workshops, academic and community education courses, leadership development opportunities and a grantmaking program that will distribute $500,000 in capacity-building grants over two grant cycles.

For the 2026 funding cycle, the Initiative has allocated $240,000 in sub-grants to support nonprofit organizational capacity. The Initiative anticipates awarding 12 grants, with most awards expected to range from $10,000 to $20,000. The Initiative reserves the right to make awards above or below this range based on funding availability, geographic distribution, proposal quality, and community need.

Approximately 50% of available funding will support Capacity Building Projects, and the remaining 50% will support Workforce Development Internship Projects. Applicants may propose projects with either a one-year or two-year performance period. Our 2027 funding cycle, launching in August of 2027, will offer funding for one-year projects only.

Sub-grants are intended to help nonprofit organizations strengthen their organizational effectiveness, sustainability, leadership, infrastructure, and workforce capacity. Grantees are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one additional Initiative activity during the grant period. Grant recipients may also be invited to participate in peer learning, networking events, and other collaborative opportunities that strengthen the East Contra Costa nonprofit sector. Participation in these activities is encouraged but not required.

Key Dates

Beginning with the 2027 funding cycle, preference may be given to organizations that did not receive funding during the 2026 cycle. Organizations implementing complex, multi-phase projects funded in 2026 are welcome to apply for continued support.

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Milestone	Date
Release of Request for Proposals (RFP)	August 25, 2026
Applicant Information Sessions	September 10th at 12 noon: In person at the Antioch Chamber of Commerce 640 W 2nd Street, Antioch. Click here to register for in-person session Virtual: September 15th at 5 PM Click here to register for virtual session
Application Deadline	October 18, 2026
Award Announcements	Week of November 2, 2026
Grant Performance Period Begins	January to December 2027

Please Note: The dates above are subject to change. Any updates to the application timeline, information sessions, or award process will be posted on the East Contra Costa Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative website and communicated to registered applicants.

Eligible Organizations

Applicants must:

• Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or fiscally sponsored organization.
• Primarily serve residents in East Contra Costa County, including Antioch, Bay Point, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, Oakley, Pittsburg, and Bethel Island.
• Have an annual operating budget of under $2 million.
• Serve low-to-moderate income and/or historically marginalized communities.

Funding Categories

Option 1: Capacity Building Projects

Capacity Building Projects strengthen the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of nonprofit organizations.

Projects should align with one or more of the following areas:

Tactics

• Strategic planning
• Program design
• Program evaluation
• Organizational systems

Talent

• Staff development
• Leadership development
• Board development

Tools

• Technology improvements
• CRM or database systems
• Financial management systems
• Communications infrastructure

Examples include:

• Strategic planning facilitation
• Board development and governance training
• Leadership coaching
• Technology implementation
• Fundraising infrastructure
• Program evaluation systems
• Communications and marketing infrastructure improvements

Option 2: Workforce Development Internship Projects

Workforce Development Internship Projects provide meaningful work-based learning opportunities while increasing nonprofit organizational capacity.

Internship projects may support organizational needs related to programs, operations, communications, outreach, administration, fundraising, evaluation, technology, or other organizational priorities.

Internships should contribute to strengthening organizational capacity by supporting projects in the capacity building areas described above (Tactics, Talent, and Tools). 

Internship Requirements:

• Interns must enroll in at least one credit of WRKX-180 Work Experience Internship at Los Medanos College or document enrollment at an equivalent course at their institution. Interns are not required to be pre-existing Los Medanos College students.
• Los Medanos College will provide grant funding directly to the nonprofit host site for the intern and the intern will be paid by the nonprofit.  
• Interns must be paid no less than the applicable minimum wage.
• Organizations must provide supervision, meaningful learning opportunities, and regular feedback.
• Organizations must identify internship responsibilities, learning objectives, and supervision plans.

Advanced internship projects may utilize undergraduate or graduate students studying relevant disciplines. Grant funds may be used to offset tuition or enrollment fees associated with internship coursework.