The Building Excellence grant program was revamped for 2008 to focus on building nonprofit organizations’ development and fundraising capabilities. Recipients will include organizations participating in the Batten Endowment Challenge as well as two other nonprofits selected each year.  Each year The Norfolk Foundation will select four 501(c)3 nonprofits from South Hampton Roads to receive Building Excellence grants for technical assistance services designed to assess and build development capacity by working in key areas such as:

• mission

• strategic planning

• case statement

• communications and marketing

• volunteer recruitment

• fundraising

• recordkeeping and database management

• board involvement in fundraising

• executive director’s involvement in fundraising

Grants will be provided for up to three years or technical assistance as determined by an initial assessment. Receiving a Building Excellence grant does not affect an organization’s ability to apply for grant funding through other Foundation grant programs.

Building Excellence grant applicants should be nonprofit organizations serving the residents of South Hampton Roads in one of the Foundation’s priority areas. Click here for details. The Building Excellence grant program uses an application form that is due on March 1. To request an application, a representative from the interested organization must first discuss the proposed project with Christine Morris, director of initiatives. Contact her at cmorris@norfolkfoundation.org or (757) 622-7951.