Purpose

Staunton Farm Foundation (SFF) recognizes that strong organizational capacity is essential to sustaining high-quality mental health and substance use services over time. Capacity-building investments strengthen nonprofit organizations’ internal systems, leadership, and infrastructure, enabling them to more effectively carry out their missions. By supporting capacity-building efforts, SFF seeks to empower organizations to innovate, adapt, and enhance programs and resources in response to evolving community needs, ultimately broadening and deepening positive impact for the individuals and communities they serve.

Guidelines for Use of Funds

Capacity-building grants may be used to support activities that strengthen an organization’s infrastructure, systems, leadership, and long-term sustainability. Funds may be used to contract for technical assistance, training, evaluation, planning, technology upgrades, and other expenses necessary to achieve the goals of the proposed project. Specific grant terms will be outlined with successful applicants.

Allowable uses include, but are not limited to, the following:

Organizational Infrastructure & Systems

• Strategic planning, sustainability planning, or business model development
• Data collection, evaluation, or outcomes measurement systems
• Technology upgrades that support service delivery, coordination, or reporting (e.g., EHR enhancements, client tracking systems, cybersecurity improvements)

Workforce & Leadership Development

• Staff training and professional development related to behavioral health or substance use services
• Leadership development or succession planning
• Workforce initiatives aimed at improving retention

Program & Operational Effectiveness

• Program design or redesign to improve quality, accessibility, or cultural responsiveness
• Implementation support for evidence-based or promising practices
• Quality improvement initiatives
• Policy, procedure, or compliance development related to licensure, accreditation, or best practices

External Expertise & Technical Assistance

• Consultants or technical assistance providers with relevant expertise (e.g., finance, evaluation, clinical quality, operations, or technology)
• Compliance support related to organizational operations (excluding litigation)

Ineligible Uses of Funds

Capacity-building grants may not be used for:

• Capital construction or major renovations
• Contributions to endowments or the repayment of existing debt
• Political or lobbying activities
• Fundraising events or sponsorships
• General operating support

Examples of Eligible Projects

The Foundation welcomes innovative ideas and offers the following examples to illustrate the types of projects that may align with the Capacity-Building Grant Program’s intent. These examples are not exhaustive.

• Supporting collaborations, shared services, or integrations
• Preparing for and completing accreditation or certification processes
• Exploring diversified or alternative funding strategies
• Upgrading electronic health record systems
• Training staff and team members in evaluation, data collection, and outcomes measurement methods

Timeframe

Applications must be submitted by April 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Funding decisions will be announced no later than July 1, 2026, with grant funds expected to be fully expended by July 30, 2027. Final grant reports will be due by September 30, 2027.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and government entities serving one or more of the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland. Organizations with an active grant through the Foundation’s spring or fall grant cycles remain eligible to apply for this opportunity. Receipt of a capacity-building grant does not affect an organization’s eligibility to apply for funding in future grant cycles.

Review Considerations

Applications will be reviewed based on:

• Alignment with the Foundation’s behavioral health and substance use priorities
• Clarity and feasibility of the proposed capacity-building activities
• Demonstrated organizational need and readiness
• Potential for long-term impact and sustainability
• Benefit to communities within the 10-county region

Grant Funding

The Maximum award amount is $25,000 per request.

To Apply

All applications must be submitted through SFF’s Grant Management System. Applicants should select “2026 Capacity Building Process” when beginning the application.

Questions/ Issues

Call the Foundation at 412-281-8020 or email office@stauntonfarm.org

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