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Capacity Building Grant Program
This is a biennial grant program that alternates every other fiscal year with the Special Projects Grant Program. The next round of grant funding will be available in fiscal year 2027 (FY27), which runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
The Arts & Culture Capacity Building Grant Program provides funding to support initiatives that aim to create a more sustainable and effective organization. Eligible organizations may apply for grants of up to $8,000 to support capacity-building initiatives. The organization must maintain a cash operating expense budget, exclusive of other City of Dubuque grant support, of no less than $10,000 per year. A total of $35,000 in funding is available.
“Capacity Building,” as defined by the National Council of Nonprofits, is:
“whatever is needed to bring a nonprofit to the next level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity, so it may more effectively and efficiently advance its mission into the future. Capacity building is not a one-time effort to improve short-term effectiveness, but a continuous improvement strategy toward the creation of a sustainable and effective organization.”
Examples of capacity-building initiatives include:
- strategic planning
- creating a development plan and/or fundraising strategy
- donor experience improvements
- staff and/or board member nonprofit 101 training
- leadership development
- project or program development
- program management
- volunteer management
Proposals that include a combination of strategies will be considered, so long as the applicant clearly demonstrates how multiple strategies align toward common goals.
Capacity Building grants are not intended for individuals, special projects, or programs.
Eligible Applicants
- Applicant is an arts and culture organization as defined by grant guidelines
- Applicant is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with at least two years of programming documentation and two Form 990s.
- Applicant serves residents of Dubuque and programming occurs within the city limits
- Applicant will have a clean record of compliance and be in good standing with the City of Dubuque’s Arts and Culture Grant Program(s)
Ineligible Applicants
- For-profit organizations, businesses, or sole proprietors
- Educational institutions including private or public K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and community colleges
- City of Dubuque government departments or entities
- Individual artists
- Nonprofit organizations that are not arts and culture organizations (for example, social service, nonprofits, religious institutions, athletic groups, etc.)
- Organizations with a delinquent City of Dubuque Arts and Culture Grant Program Final Report
- The use of a fiscal agent/sponsor is not allowed
Funding Guidelines
- Requests may range from $1,000 - $8,000.
- Requests for less than $1,000 will not be considered.
- Applicant must demonstrate a 50% cash match. Personnel time is not eligible for cash match.
The FY27 grant application will open on March 27, 2026.
Applicants must submit applications via the SlideRoom application portal. Applications will not be accepted in any other format.
- Grant Guidelines (PDF)
- Application Questions (Word)
- Scoring Rubric (PDF)
- Informational Webinar Video
- Webinar Slides (PDF)
Grant applications are due via the Slideroom portal on Friday, April 24, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. Late, incomplete, or ineligible applications will not be accepted.
Award Notification: July 2026
Disbursement of Funds: August 2026
Final Report Due: August 31, 2027
By offering capacity-building funding, the City Council is advancing its Arts, Culture, Parks, and Recreation goal while also supporting the Imagine Dubuque Comprehensive Plan's recommendation to foster Social + Cultural Vibrancy.