Bellweather Core Capacity Grant
Bellweather Capacity Fund · Capacity-building funder · Capacity building
Award range
$40,000 - $100,000
Maximum $100,000
Application deadline
Feb 7, 1970
No letter of intent required
Grant period
2 years
Not renewable
Decision expected
Apr 21, 1970
Funder's stated timeline
Weighted fit assessment
Sixteen criteria scored against this opportunity
Current strategic plan expires this year and should be updated before submission.
Evidence: Documented in the organization profile and program records.
Roughly 400 applications nationally for 20 awards.
Evidence: Documented in the organization profile and program records.
Overall fit 83 — Strong fit
Fit scoring supports internal decision-making. It does not predict or guarantee an award.
Eligibility and requirements
Eligible organizations
501(c)(3) public charity
Geographic eligibility
National
Match requirement
None
Population alignment
Organization-wide infrastructure rather than a direct-service population.
Programs this could fund
Organizational Capacity Initiative
Funder contact
Aisha Bello, Portfolio Director
Internal owner
Dana Whitfield
Guidelines
https://bellweatherfund.org/apply
Required documents
Gather before drafting
- IRS determination letterCurrent
- Audited financial statementsExpiring
- Board rosterMissing
- Strategic planOutdated
Additional attachments
- Capacity work plan
- Staff retention data
Application questions
Prompts and limits as published
1.What organizational challenge are you trying to solve?
700 words2.What will you do with the funds and who will lead it?
700 words3.How will you know the investment worked?
400 wordsFunder background
Capacity-building funder
Funding the infrastructure that lets community organizations grow with integrity.
Priority areas
Evaluation capacity, Staff retention, Financial systems
Geographic focus
National, with a rural and mid-size city preference
Typical award
$40,000 - $100,000 over two years
Relationship
Contacted
Approach
Be direct about turnover and disconnected data systems; the fund rewards candor.
Concerns and open questions
Concerns flagged in scoring
- Strategic plan attachment needs a refreshed cover and timeline.
- Document readiness: Current strategic plan expires this year and should be updated before submission.
Information still needed
Application status
Stage
Drafting
Amount requested
$85,000
Completion
46%
Owner
Dana Whitfield
Next action
Draft the honest organizational challenge narrative and refresh the strategic plan attachment.