Takeaways From UpMobility Foundation's First Capacity Building Grant Round

When UpMobility Foundation launched its first Capacity Building grant round on April 1, we knew there was a need among nonprofit organizations seeking to strengthen their impact. What we didn't anticipate was just how much enthusiasm the opportunity would generate.

By the time the grant round closed at the end of April, we had received more than 100 inquiries from nonprofits across the United States. While UpMobility allocated approximately $400,000 in funding for this inaugural round, nonprofits collectively requested nearly $7 million in support from us—a powerful reminder of the capacity needs nonprofits face.

As our review process unfolded, several themes emerged among the strongest proposals. Successful applicants demonstrated that they had already begun laying the groundwork for the projects they hoped to advance. Rather than presenting a broad list of needs, they focused on specific, well-defined capacity-building initiatives with clear goals and outcomes. A number of our awardees requested funds to incorporate artificial intelligence or other technological tools to improve organizational efficiencies and minimize personnel costs. Most highlighted current or planned collaborations with Mohawk Valley community partners and a willingness to review lessons learned with the broader nonprofit community, reflecting a shared commitment to collective impact and long-term sustainability. 

Consistent with our commitment to building up our home region, the majority of awarded organizations are based in New York State's Mohawk Valley. These organizations are pursuing innovative projects designed to enhance their effectiveness and better serve their communities.

We are proud to recognize the recipients of our inaugural Capacity Building grants: Project Bike Tech, Upstate Caring Partners, Masonic Medical Research Institute, Mid-York Library System, ARC Herkimer, and Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts. We congratulate each of these organizations and look forward to following their progress in the months ahead.

For nonprofits considering future Capacity Building grant opportunities, we encourage you to begin conversations now. Explore potential partnerships, identify specific organizational capacity challenges you hope to address, and think strategically about how capacity-building investments can strengthen your long-term impact.