The following applications and guidelines are used by the Boston Capacity Tank and Black Church Capacity Building Programs.

Boston Capacity Tank
The BMA plans to award about 5 capacity building grants in 2008, up to $40,000 each, to existing clusters of agencies working together on a common goal, from a total grant pool of $200,000.

Grant Purpose: The purpose of the cluster capacity grants is to strengthen partnerships of youth-serving agencies.  Grants will support activities that foster more sustainable and/or effective youth services and agencies, with an ultimate goal of improved outcomes for youth in Boston.  Grants should help an experienced cluster of agencies reach at least two capacity-building goals from among the following categories:  leadership development; organizational development; programs/services; fund raising capacity; and community engagement.  The grant period is May2 to December 31, 2008; the application deadline is Tuesday, April 8 at noon.

Download the Grant Guidelines:
BCT Capacity Grant Overview 2008 (click for Word) (click for pdf)
BCT Capacity Grant Application 2008 (click for Word) (click for pdf)

2008 Grant Eligibility Requirements:
CBO/FBO must:
1. have provided direct service to youth in Boston for at least one year; 
2. have paid staff or plans to hire, at minimum, a 25% paid staff person;
3. submit a complete application; and
4. agree to participate in the Tank’s training and individualized TA during the grant period.
Sub-awards may not require 501c3 certification and may not require matching funds.  CEY Partners are not eligible to receive sub-awards.  2008 (Year 1) grantees are expected to be eligible to apply for grants in 2009 and 2010 (Years 2 and 3), provided the grant is used to support a different capacity-building project.  Year 2 grant period is expected to run January to September, 2009.

BCCBP applicants must be Black churches or FBOs in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Lynn, or Chelsea.
UWMB Faith-And-Action (FAA) applicants must have a prior relationship with FAA, and may be from the various cities and towns that comprise the UWMB target area. For more information, please see www.uwmb.org

Please note: These are capacity building grants, and may not be used to support program services.

Public Orientation to Capacity-Building Grant Guidelines will be held Thursday, March 20, 2008, 2:00 – 3:30 pm at Twelfth Baptist Church, 160 Warren Street, Roxbury (park in lot across the street).