Organizational Capacity Building

The Organizational Capacity Building (OCB) grant award program helps nonprofit organizations in Illinois strengthen their infrastructure and capacity to better serve older people. These grants support a variety of initiatives. For example, OCB-funded activities include:

• Board Development
• Communications and Marketing
• Evaluation
• Fundraising
• Human Resources
• Information Technology Improvements
• Internal Operations/Financial Management
• Organizational Strategy Planning
• Strategic Program Planning

*See descriptions of OCB-funded activities here.

Organizational Capacity Building grants require a focus on the big picture – projects for key improvements to management systems and governance of the overall organization. For this reason, routine operations within an organization, such as staffing for home-delivered meal services, would not fit within this particular funding category. OCB grants fuel improvements in organizational effectiveness, thereby increasing an organization’s ability to deliver on its mission over time.

RRF offers two types of OCB support for nonprofits in Illinois: Standard and Flexible Fund grants.

Standard OCB Grant
RRF provides funding for organizational capacity building through its regular grant making process. Organizations applying for a Standard OCB Grant must submit a Letter of Inquiry and be invited to submit a full proposal.

OCB Flexible Fund Grant
Additionally, RRF offers an OCB Flexible Fund Grant (OCB Flex) to respond to the needs of organizations serving older people – with smaller, quickly reviewed, short-term grants. RRF accepts OCB Flex Fund grant applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Funding requests must be $5,000 or less, and the applicant should complete the project within a six-month timeline. OCB Flex allows a simplified application process, and funding decisions are generally made within four to six weeks.

OCB Flex grants can be especially effective for planning purposes, staff training, and short-term technical assistance. OCB Flex grants are often used to support consultants, and if so, a bid must be submitted with the application. Potential applicants for OCB Flex grants are encouraged to reach out to RRF program staff before applying to ensure an appropriate fit.