Capacity Building at the Health Fund
STRENGTHENING MICHIGAN’S
HEALTH-FOCUSED NONPROFITS
The Health Fund knows that nonprofits have a critical role in empowering people and communities across the state to improve their health. Every day, we see organizations working diligently for a healthier Michigan—often constrained by tight budgets, restricted funds, and a small scale. We seek to equip health-focused nonprofits with the funding, tools, and training to level up their work and focus on their mission. To that end, we offer a range of options to grantees to help them build and find additional capacity.
Capacity building grants
The Capacity Building grant program assists health-focused, community-based organizations in becoming stronger, more effective institutions within their community, allowing them to spend more time and energy focused on their mission. It also supports collaborative efforts among providers, service agencies, and community-based organizations to cooperatively address health issues in a sustainable way.
The Health Fund makes grants of up to $200,000 for both organizational and collaborative capacity building projects. You can visit our searchable grant database to learn more about our past Capacity Building grants and read about the other capacity building resources we offer to grantees and other nonprofits below.
Capacity Building Initiative RFP
Grant range
Up to $200,000
Applications open
December 3, 2024
Concept Papers due
January 16, 2025 / June 10, 2025
Proposals due
February 20, 2025 / July 22, 2025
Grants announced*
May 2025 / November 2025
Projects may begin as early as June for Cycle 1 and December for Cycle 2.
Additional capacity building resources
Attend/Present Scholarships
Organizations that would otherwise not have the means to attend professional conferences are invited to apply for the Health Fund’s Attend/Present Scholarship. We welcome applicants who will use conference attendance to help build networks, inform thinking, shape projects, raise professional awareness, set the stage for future work, or build the field as related to the Health Fund’s mission. Click here for more information.
Eligibility: All current and past Health Fund grant recipients are invited to apply.
Catchafire: Skilled volunteers looking to help you
Catchafire connects nonprofits with passionate, pro-bono professionals for consulting as well as full projects, adding skilled, temporary capacity to your team, free-of-charge. You might partner with a design expert to upgrade your website or create a flyer, talk to a veteran CEO about strategic planning, or find a professional who can set up your accounting system. The possibilities can be overwhelming, so we recommend checking out Catchafire’s Discover page, watching a webinar we hosted for Health Fund grantees, or joining one of Catchafire’s topical webinars.
Eligibility: The Health Fund offers Catchafire access to all health focused nonprofits in Michigan, and other Michigan nonprofits might be eligible through the One Michigan portal.
MemoryFox
MemoryFox is a storytelling tool for capturing stories and sharing impact, all rolled into one simple-to-use platform. You can collect testimonials from program participants, centralize photos of your work in action, present compelling narratives to donors, and more. Check out these examples to learn more:
Eligibility: All Health Fund grantees and partners are eligible for a MemoryFox subscription.
Listen4Good
Listen4Good helps organizations gather and analyze client feedback data for fundraising, strategic decision-making, and advancing equity goals. Register for one of Listen4Good’s upcoming informational webinars or schedule a time to chat with a Listen4Good teammate.
Eligibility: All Health Fund grantees and their project partners are eligible to participate with Listen4Good.
Michigan Nonprofit Association technology partnership
The Health Fund partners with MNA to provide technology assessments; funding of up to $5,000 for new equipment such as laptops, monitors, servers, and conferencing software; and up to two years of cybersecurity support.
Eligibility: Participation requires an organizational technology assessment and depends on the size of the organization.
Bonterra Jumpstart program
This immersive, yearlong program pairs organizations with a personal fundraising coach, who helps in acquiring, retaining, and upgrading individual donors. In addition to dedicated coaching, the Jumpstart program includes technology tools and technical assistance designed to help you execute strategies built with your coach, fundraise more effectively, and take advantage of heightened online giving.
Eligibility: Cohorts are offered annually. Organizations must complete an assessment to be eligible.
PolicyMap
PolicyMap provides data about Michigan residents that can help nonprofits communicate their impact and demonstrate need or access to services. The Health Fund’s PolicyMap dashboard also provides data related to our priorities and program areas. Access PolicyMap to gain insights from geographic, demographic, and health-related data in Michigan that help you solve problems and serve your community. Watch our demo on one of the many use cases for PolicyMap.
Eligibility: All health fund grantees and partners.
View our past
capacity building grants
Details about all of our past grants are available in our searchable Grant Database.
2024 Capacity Building Grants
Organizational Capacity Building
A Glimpse of Africa
Organizational Learning Systems
Benzie Leelanau District Health Department
Modeling Sustainable and Scalable Integrated Team Care
Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation d.b.a. Center for Health & Research Transformation
Building Evaluation Capacity: CRS Moms’ Circles in Detroit
Chaldean Community Foundation
Technology Enhancement Initiative 7
Gay Elders of Metro Detroit d.b.a MiGen
Intentional Evaluation, Learning, and DEI
Gesher Human Services
Implementation of Supported and Transitional Employment
Growing Forward Together
SMC Jumpstart – Next Level Tools
Health Net of West Michigan
Executive Leadership Assessment & Succession Planning
Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County
Developing CHW Capacity at JFS
Marinette County Group Home Association
Community Assessment and Conceptual Design
Children’s Advocacy Centers of Michigan
Trauma-Informed Leadership for Trauma-Focused Agencies
Region II Commission on Services to the Aging d.b.a. WellWise Services Area Agency on Aging
Building Diversified Funding Infrastructure
The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division
Capacity Building Medical Respite
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi
NHBP Healthcare Training Project
ShareCare of Leelanau, Inc.
Financial Development and Migration
AgeWell Services of West Michigan
Archaic to Modern: Organizational Infrastructure Improvements
AYA Youth Collective
Implementing an Organizational Operating System
Care Free Medical Inc.
Technology Improvements for Care Free Medical and Optometry
Catherine’s Health Center
Improving FQHC Sustainability through Strategic Assessment
Community Action House
Integrated Relationship Management System
Elephant Circle (Lead Partner: Sage Midwifery)
Evaluating Community-Centered Midwifery Education
Enriched Living
Fostering Community Transformation by Supporting AFC Homes
Family Promise of West Michigan
Updating and Improving Financial Management
From the Ground Farmers Market Collective
Growing Farmers Markets in the Western Upper Peninsula
Gogebic Range Health Foundation
Leadership Development to Build Organizational Capacity
Guiding Harbor
Guiding Harbor Trauma Informed Care
Hands Across the Water, Inc.
Serving Foster Clients through Better Staff Retention
Kent School Services Network
KSSN: Professional Learning and Development
LifeLab Kids Foundation
Scaling Operations with Expanded Technology
Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance
Enhancing Access, Inclusivity, and Efficacy in CHW Training
PACE North
PACE North Organizational Capacity Building
Pioneer Resources Inc.
Empowering DCWs for Improved Health Outcomes
United Way of Marquette County
Enhancing Health Nonprofit Capacities with Shared Services
Collaborative Capacity Building
CARE House of Oakland County, Inc.
Oakland County Child Abuse Medical Response Collaborative
Connect Detroit
Detroit Youth Mental Wellness & Resilience Collaborative
Gryphon Place
Community Information Exchange
Housing Kent
Housing as Health: A Data-Informed System Response
Michigan State University
Heath Equity Capacity Network for Latino and Asian Americans
Safe Haven Ministries
Strengthening the West Michigan Human Trafficking Coalition
2023 Capacity Building Grants
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING
The Arc of Northwest Wayne County
Marketing and PR
Allen Neighborhood Center
A Sustainable Future through Organizational Restructure
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan
Authorization System Proposal Project
The Avenue Family Network, INC
2023 Capacity Building
Community Action House
Org Strengthening – Operating System & Development
Detroit Community Health Connection
Improving Sexual Health Care for Young Black Males
Generations Ahead
Building Evaluation Capacity for Generations Ahead
Great Lakes Recovery Centers, Inc.
Expansion of Integrated Care
Hannan Center
Evaluating the My Neighborhood Connection Program
Haven of Rest Ministries
Capacity Building – Men’s and Women’s Life Recovery Programs
Health Net of West Michigan
IT Security and Capacity Building
Heart of West Michigan United Way (Lead Partner: Kent County Essential Needs Task Force)
System Facilitation for Kent Co. Essential Needs Task Force
Partridge Creek Farm
Enhancing Capacity for Lasting Community Health Impact
Progressive Lifestyles, Inc. (Lead Partner: National Council of Dementia Minds)
Strengthening Support Teams of Dementia Minds Groups
Our Hope Association
Capacity Building for a Foundation for Future Growth
SEMHA
SEMHA Administrative Capacity Building
Zaman international
Zaman Wellness Center
COLLABORATIVE CAPACITY BUILDING
Benzie Leelanau District Health Department
Solutions for Clinical and Community Data Sharing: North MI
County of Kent
Kent County Health Equity Council
Interoperability Institute
Launching the MI Health Interoperability Virtual eLaboratory
Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA)
Michigan SEL Alliance (MiSELA) Collaborative Building
Otsego County United Way, Inc.
START Collaborative
Sanilac County Health Department
Building Capacity for Community Health Strategies
Washtenaw Health Plan Corporation
Alianza Washtenaw Coalition: Improving Latinx Services
2022 Capacity Building Grants
Adoption Option Inc.
Capacity Building Through Increase Annual Planning
AYA Youth Collective
Merger Final Phase Integration
Battle Creek Community Foundation
Capacity Building for the Battle Creek Shelter
Brilliant Detroit
Community-based birth: a public education campaign
Challenge Mountain of Walloon Hills Inc.
Next Steps: Implementing Feasibility Study Recommendations
Child and Family Charities
All Children-All Families (ACAF)
District Health Department #10
North Central Network: Expanding Capacity for Collaboration
Ele's Place
Ele's Place DEI Journey
Family Service and Children's Aid
Building Capacity for An Effective Black-Led Organization
Focus: HOPE
One Focus Technology Platform
Generations United
Ypsilanti Intergenerational Community Solutions Institute
Gilda's Club Metro Detroit
Growth, Leadership & Strategic Planning Support
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
Voices Integrated, Informed, and Amplified
Health Department of Northwest Michigan
Assessing External Perceptions to Rebuild Internal Capacity
Heart of West Michigan
United Way Food Systems Assessment and Plan
HOPE Hospitality & Warming Center, Inc.
De-Congregating HOPE's Shelters
Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County
JFS Certified Medical Interpreters for Refugee Populations
Lansing School District
Strategic System and Service Alignment
Michigan Breastfeeding Network
Milk Like Mine Capacity Building Request
Michigan Breastfeeding Network
Sacred Bundle Birthworker Collective
Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance
Ground and Grow - Increasing MiCHWA's Internal Capacity
Michigan Farmers Market Association
Improving Data Collection & Utilization at Farmers Markets
Michigan Public Health Institute
Southeast Michigan Alliance for Addiction-Free Communities
Michigan State University
Health Equity Report Card
Midland Area Community Foundation
Equitable Access to Wellbeing across Midland County
New City Neighbors
Financial Management and Fiscal Capacity Expansion
Ottawa Area Intermediate School District
OCSN Evaluation and Leadership Support
Pontiac Community Foundation
Expanding Access to Transportation Services in Pontiac
Ruth Ellis Center, Inc.
Ruth Ellis Institute Income Generation Model
Spectrum Health Foundation
Advancing Breastfeeding Justice in Kent County
Starr Commonwealth
Campus Feasibility Study and Capacity Building Initiative
Sturgis Area Community Foundation
SACF Quality of Life Dashboard
The Family & Youth Institute
Reducing behavioral health barriers for Muslim Americans
United Way of Midland County
Great Lakes Bay Region United Ways Capacity Building Project
United Way of Southwest Michigan
Building a Network of Turned Outward Organizations
Wayne Children's Healthcare Access Program
KHC Data Interchange & Interoperability Development
Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels
Interactive Online Training Platform for Volunteers
2021 Capacity Building Grants
AgeWell Services of West Michigan
Meals on Wheels and Lunch and Activity Centers Tech Growth
American Heart Association, Inc.
It Takes a City Collaborative
Area Agency on Aging 1-B
Oakland Together Social Isolation Lifeline
Atlantic Impact
Our Town Cares
AYA Youth Collective
Circles of Support for Homeless Youth
Catherine's Health Center
Expanding Awareness of Access to Care
Challenge Mountain of Walloon Hills Inc
Feasibility Study: Adaptive Skiing Lodge & Equipment Project
Community Action House
Deepening collaboration - Lakeshore Food Rescue
Family Support Center of Barry County
Building a Trauma Informed Barry County
Focus: HOPE
Next Steps: The Focus: HOPE Volunteer Management System
Four County Community Foundation
Improving Health Outcomes for Lapeer County Seniors
Generations United
Intergenerational Innovation Hub for a Healthy Michigan
GenesisHOPE
Greater Villages Community Response System
Habitat for Humanity Detroit
Return Home Safe
Health Department of Northwest Michigan
Behavioral Health Planning Initiative in the NMCHIR
Heart of West Michigan United Way
Collaboration Planning for FNC and Food Policy Council
Henry Ford Health System
Improving Older Adult Healthcare in a Virtual Environment
Huron Valley Ambulance, Inc.
Community Paramedic Sustainability Collaboration
Kadima
Agency Integration Project
Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc.
Strategic Framework and Succession Planning
Metro Solutions Inc.
Connections of Faith, Health, and Hope
Michigan Breastfeeding Network
Collaborative action to advance Black breastfeeding justice
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance
MiHIA and THRIVE Website Redesign Effort
Michigan Primary Care Association
Improving Community Partnerships for Elderly Adults
Non-Profit Enterprise at Work, Inc. (NEW)
Building Blocks
Non-Profit Enterprise at Work, Inc. (NEW)
Raising Royalty Evaluation Project
Packard Health, Inc.
Creating a Wellness & Prevention Roadmap at Packard Health
Prevention Michigan, Inc.
Board Development and Rebranding
Project Healthy Community
Organizational Synergies Advancing Community Health
Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders
LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Timebank Collaborative
Superior Health Support System
Strategic Support Initiative
The Regents of the University of Michigan
Title IVE to Prevent Infant Mortality
United Methodist Community House
The Fresh Market at UMCH
United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC) Foundation
Tackling Systemic Racism through DEI Training
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Southeast Michigan Community Information Exchange
Washtenaw Health Plan Corporation
Establishing a Washtenaw Latino Health Services Consortium
2020 Capacity Building Grants
Community Food Club
Community Food Club Model Replication Project
Community Housing Network, Inc.
Implementing a Trauma Informed Care Approach to Services
Ele’s Place
Increasing Evaluation Capacity
Focus: HOPE
Design Thinking for the Food Justice Program
Food Gatherers
Community Voices Project: Integrating Equity into Evaluation
Greater Midland
Greater Midland: Growing our Sustainability
Health Net of West Michigan
Building Capacity Through Development of Internal Expertise
Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, Inc.
SafeSpace: Environmental Health Home Screening Application
Holland Free Health Clinic
Increasing Access to Healthcare through Intake Enhancements
Little Brothers—Friends of the Elderly
Capacity Building for Donor Stewardship
Michigan Breast Feeding Network (MIBFN)
2020 MIBFN Network Meetings and Community
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance
Optimizing Evaluation Metrics of the THRIVE initiative
Michigan Transportation Connection
ConnectUP
Mosaic Counseling
Integrated Database System
Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association
Capacity Building of César E. Chávez Farmers’ Market
ShareCare of Leelanau, Inc.
The Costs and Benefits of Aging in Place
The Wayne County SAFE Program
Improving Services for Survivors of Sexual Violence
Upper Peninsula Health Care Solutions
UPHCS – Evaluation Capacity Building Project