Our Work | Capacity Building Program

Capacity Building Program

The Water Foundation launched its inaugural Capacity Building Program in 2023. Seeking to strengthen the capacity of our grantee partners, invest in their water advocacy, and build a stronger field in the long term, the Water Foundation administered a series of small grants to 29 eligible grantees. Although this program sunset in 2025, the Water Foundation continues to explore other ways to provide this kind of critical backbone support to grantee partners.

The Water Foundation is not currently accepting applications for its Capacity Building Program.

If you have questions, please reach out to Senior Program Associate Lauryn Magno (lmagno@waterfdn.org).

The Water Foundation and our partners advance lasting solutions to secure safe water for people, restore and sustain freshwater ecosystems, and build climate resilience. Our ability to meet these goals is directly tied to the strength of the organizations that we support.

However, nonprofits across the country are constrained by resources and capacity. The Water Foundation’s new Capacity Building Program seeks to address some of these constraints by supporting the capacity of individuals, programs, organizations, and coalitions working on water; so that we and our partners can achieve near-term wins as well as growing a stronger field over the long term.

Program Components

The Capacity Building Program is comprised of two core components:

The Capacity Strengthening Small Grants Project (CSSGP) provides small grants to certain past and present grantees of the Water Foundation, aiming to augment traditional capacity resources, through March 14, 2025. These small grants are meant to provide flexible support of your work in a way that you feel best benefits your organizational needs.

The Organizational Capacity Building Project (OCBP) will provide more traditional capacity building resources, including: an online library of organizational management resources, toolkits to improve how we work , trainings and workshops informed by and tailored to grantee needs, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and one-on-one coaching. This aspect of the program is in development with our implementation partner, River Network.

Organizational Capacity Building Resources

The Water Foundation’s partnership with River Network is designed to deliver organizational capacity building resources to Water Foundation grantees and the broader water field. In 2025, River Network will launch various opportunities to help organizations, coalitions, and communities navigate organizational and leadership challenges over the next year. River Network staff will release new resources and guides for those organizations just starting out as well as the more seasoned organizations looking to expand their reach. More information on these opportunities is forthcoming in early 2025.

External Additional Resources

Leadership Opportunity

Hydro 20

Know a leader addressing critical water challenges in the US? Nominate them to be honored at the 2025 Rethinking Water Conference at Columbia University by March 07 !

Leadership Opportunity

Leadership for Democracy and Social Justice (LDSJ) Emerging Leaders Fellowship

Apply by May 05, 2025 for a fellowship designed for organizers building power in community organizations, labor unions, or advocacy groups

Grant Opportunity

The Water Foundation Safe Clean Water Grants Program for LA County

Are you based and work in the Los Angeles County Flood Control District? Apply for the Water Foundation’s grant program to support public education and community engagement efforts related to stormwater and urban runoff capture.

Capacity Building Resource

Together Rising as an Environmental Community (TREC)

Explore Together Rising as an Environmental Community’s (TREC) free resources to augment your organizational capacity and support leadership development.

Capacity Building Resource

Taproot Foundation — Probono nonprofit support

Gain access to probono organizational support with Taproot Foundation, which connects nonprofits and small businesses to skilled volunteers for support in fundraising, communications, technology, strategy, and more.