Grants Capacity Building Initiative

Free help applying for grants!

What is the Grants Capacity Building Initiative?

For many non profit organizations, winning and managing grants can be a complex, intimidating, and burdensome process. Funders can be difficult to access, grant funds can be restrictive, and we often find ourselves responding to funders’ priorities rather than our communities. In fact, the ability to navigate this process can too-often be the difference between movements with lasting impact and ideas that never quite take root.

That’s where Causewave comes in. We are here to nurture your organization’s ability to achieve its mission through institutional fundraising. Whether that’s connecting you with a freelancer to write your grant proposal, developing a grant management calendar, or one-on-one coaching for your fundraising team, we’re here to help. 

We’re excited to partner with local funders ESL Charitable Foundation, Greater Rochester Health Foundation, and Rochester Area Community Foundation, to help small and mid-sized nonprofits build Rochester’s power to affect change. The goal of the initiative is to provide a competitive advantage for small and mid sized nonprofits seeking new, out-of-town dollars. As such, we are only able to provide direct grant writing support for applications to funders from outside the Rochester area

Need help finding, winning, and managing grants?

Contact Ray Wentworth at rwentworth@causewave.org

Whether you're seeking services for your own organization or recommending one you know, this is the place to start. Fill out this form to connect.

*Looking for a quick overview of what your organization needs to be grant-ready? Check out these 7 Steps for Grant Success

Frequently asked questions for Grant Seekers

  • Causewave can provide support in a number of ways, including, but not limited to:

    • Direct support for grant writing and reporting from our staff or a hand-picked freelancer

    • Developing a system for tracking grants

    • Prospect research tailored to your mission

    • Achieving strategic or programmatic clarity 

    • Building strategic partnerships with peer organizations and funders

    • Creation of a basic grant application package that can be reused and tailored to different opportunities

    • Creation of a boilerplate bank of answers to common grant application questions and frequently used attachments

    • A custom plan tailored to the specific needs of your organization

  • Causewave supports nonprofit organizations in all mission areas. We can provide support for program, operating, and/or capital grants. Funders can be corporations, foundations, or government agencies. We request that you reach out at least 4-6 weeks in advance of your deadline, if you are coming to us for support on a specific grant opportunity. We also welcome folks without a particular opportunity in mind. 
    Important Note: Causewave is only able to support applications to state and federal government agencies and nationally competitive foundations or corporations. We cannot provide support in applying to Rochester area funders, as the goal of this initiative is to attract new resources to the area, rather than stretching existing resources farther. If you’re not sure whether your idea falls within our scope, we encourage you to reach out anyway so we can help make that determination.

  • These services are available to community-based organizations that provide programs and services to people and communities in the Greater Rochester region. You do not need to have 501(c)3 status to utilize our services. 

  • No, there is no fee. Eligible organizations are fully funded for this support by the Rochester Area Community Foundation, ESL Charitable Foundation, and the Greater Rochester Health Foundation.

  • Whether you're seeking services for your own organization or recommending one you know, this is the place to start.

    Fill out this form to connect.

  • Yes. There are no limits on the number of times you can tap into this support. You’re also welcome to explore Causewave’s other services in addition to your engagement with the grants capacity building initiative. 

  • We can help facilitate that! Causewave has a deep network in Rochester and can provide support in managing partnerships and coalitions.

  • We expect your presence, candor, and willingness to learn. In exchange, we will offer the same. While we will be happy to manage the project, this will be a team effort. A representative of your organization should expect to spend a good amount of time with us discussing, writing, editing and reviewing materials. At our initial meeting, we can discuss what cadence of meetings and communications works best for us both.

This program is made possible due to support from The Rochester Area Community Foundation, ESL Charitable Foundation, and the Greater Rochester Health Foundation.