Capacity-Building Grant Program


Through the CLMP Capacity-Building Grant Program, nonprofit literary magazines and presses may apply for grants to support projects that aim to create a sustainable and effective organization related to fundraising, marketing, distribution, web development, and other areas; skill-building opportunities for staff and board members; strategic and succession planning; diversity and equity initiatives; and leadership development and management training.

Literary magazines and presses may apply to the CLMP Capacity-Building Grant Program for grants of $5,000 or $10,000 to support capacity-building initiatives. Funding from the Hawthornden Foundation, originally founded in 1983 by the late Drue Heinz, makes this program possible.

More information about guidelines and eligibility will be available after the application portal opens on April 2, 2024.


More About the Program

“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.”

CLMP’s program is for nonprofit literary publishers. The National Book Foundation is offering a similar program for nonprofit literary organizations. Visit the National Book Foundation website to learn more. Applicants may apply to only one of the two programs.

Review Process

Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

  • Completeness of application and clarity of proposal
  • Feasibility of capacity-building project as described
  • Potential impact on organizational capacity and/or sustainability
  • Submitted work samples

Grants will be recommended by an independent panel. Final grant decisions will be approved by a committee of the CLMP Board of Directors.

Timeline

  • April 2, 2024:  Application portal opens
  • May 10, 2024, 5 p.m. ET:  Application portal closes
  • August 2024: Applicants notified; funds disbursed
  • September 2025: Final reports due

Application Deadline

The application portal will open on April 2, 2024. Applications will be due on May 10, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET.