Nonprofit Capacity Building
Greater Miami’s well-being is directly related to the well-being of our community’s nonprofit partners and their staff. As the backbone for our nonprofit ecosystem, we aim to support our partners through valuable workshops and technical assistance that meet their priority growth needs and foster sustainability. We provide capacity building for all nonprofits in Greater Miami, not just recipients of our grants.
Supporting Nonprofits Beyond Funding
The Foundation has spent intensive time listening to our nonprofit partners and evaluating the best ways to support them. We recognize the hard work you do each day to serve communities across Miami and the endless demands on your time and resources. You know your communities best, and we want to support you in delivering your mission and programs as effectively as possible.
Our capacity building takes many forms, including:
- Cohort-based models
- Workshops
- Technical assistance, delivered in small groups or individually to organizations
- Peer-to-peer learning opportunities
- Connections to pro bono legal counsel
- Creation of digital assets to support organizations’ storytelling
- Issue-specific convenings to amplify priority resource needs and facilitate strategic connections
Learn more about our current capacity building opportunities below. If you have questions, please contact Caroline Miller, Director of Capacity Building, at cmiller@miamifoundation.org.
Findings from our
2025 Give Miami Day nonprofit survey:
62% of participating nonprofits indicated Fundraising/Grant Writing Support was their greatest Capacity Building need
43% of nonprofits indicated that if offered or subsidized, Visibility Opportunities would be their number one catalyst for growth
We asked nonprofits what types of support would best address their current challenges and strengthen their capacity building. These three were the most selected:
- Expert Consultants
- Online Resources
- Workshops and Trainings
43% of nonprofits indicated they are currently recruiting Board Members. The top board skills needed among those nonprofits include:
Fundraising • Networking/Relationship Building • Marketing • Grantmaking
Capacity-Building Opportunities
We’re committed to creating capacity-building offerings that are worth your time. You are doing the hard work day-in and day-out to serve communities across Miami. You, as nonprofit leaders, know your communities best, and we want to support you in achieving your mission and stewarding programs as effectively as possible.
Community Grants
Through Community Grants and other Foundation Grant Programs, we provide programmatic and mission-building support to help grow and sustain Greater Miami’s nonprofits.
Give Miami Day
Give Miami Day (GMD) offers workshops, tools, and templates to over 1,200 Miami nonprofits to build end-of-year giving campaigns from individual donors. GMD capacity building workshops are offered in partnership with Radical Partners. Click here to learn more and access resources from prior years.
Resource Bank
Access recordings and resources from previous workshops focused on strategy, fundraising, operations, communications, and sustainability.
Nonprofit Bridge Loan
The Nonprofit Bridge Loan provides short-term, low-cost financing that helps nonprofits manage the timing gap between reimbursements, so they can stay focused on mission, provide staff with stability, and deepen their community impact. Launched as a pilot by The Miami Foundation in 2024, the program reflects our commitment to strengthening nonprofit financial health and expanding access to responsible, mission-aligned capital. Learn more here.
Grant Writing
We have a limited number of grant writing support hours available to strengthen organizations’ capacity to more effectively tell their story and increase their competitiveness when pursuing government and other sustainable sources of funding. Priority for grant writing support will be given to organizations working together collaboratively to pursue a grant. If interested in exploring this opportunity, please reach out to Caroline Miller.
Board Matching
In partnership with Philanthropy Miami, The Miami Foundation supports a Board Matching initiative designed to connect community members with nonprofit organizations seeking Board leadership. The matching process involves aligning individuals’ and organizations’ values, areas of interest, and skills, as well as providing training to new Board members. Check back for future matching opportunities.
Opportunities from Partners
Philanthropy Miami
Philanthropy Miami equips nonprofit leaders with the tools, training and connection they need to thrive. Learn more about its capacity-building programs here, including signature initiatives include the annual IGNITE! Conference, Donor Next Door, and leadership development opportunities in partnership with the Nonprofit Executive Alliance in Miami-Dade.
Nonprofit Executive Alliance (NEA)
The Nonprofit Executive Alliance (NEA) is an impact coalition of CEOs committed to advancing leadership in South Florida and providing a unified voice for the nonprofit sector. It ensures that every nonprofit CEO feels supported, connected, and equipped, both professionally and personally, to lead their organization with confidence and impact. Learn more here and consider becoming a member to take advantage of its many programs.
Florida Nonprofit Alliance (FNA)
The Florida Nonprofit Alliance (FNA) is the state association of nonprofits, advancing the sector through research, training, advocacy, and policy leadership. Our mission is to strengthen Florida’s nonprofits as their advocate and collective voice. FNA provides trainings, toolkits, legal resources, while representing the sector at the state and national levels to inform public policy and elevate the role of nonprofits in our communities. Annual membership unlocks legal resources, weekly member updates, and discounts on trainings. For more information, visit www.flnonprofits.org.
Trust Law
Trust Law is the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s global pro bono legal service. It connects nonprofits and social enterprises with law firms that can provide free legal assistance on matters including governance, contracts, intellectual property, employment, legal research, and more. Apply for membership here. Mention that you have been referred by The Miami Foundation in your application. Eligibility criteria and FAQs can be found here.
Candid
Gain free access to Candid’s Foundation Directory online through Miami-Dade County Libraries to identify potential grant opportunities. Candid offers a “Quick Start” look-up tool online, but advanced features for finding potential new funders are only available to those who either purchase a subscription or access the system in person at Miami-Dade County Libraries (free).
Broward Center for Nonprofit Excellence
The Broward Center for Nonprofit Excellence offers training, grants and resources to help nonprofit professionals and volunteers amplify their charitable organizations’ impact. Check out trainings and resources here.
Capacity-building opportunities are made possible by the generous support of The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation and The Miami Foundation.
