iCAP Program

The Western New York Foundation offers the Impact Capacity Assessment Program, known as iCAP, designed to help nonprofit organizations strengthen their internal capacity and overall effectiveness. The program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at building long-term organizational strength and resilience, recognizing that efficient capacity management is critical for nonprofit success. Through iCAP, participating organizations engage in a structured process with the support of an organizational development consultant to assess current capacity and identify opportunities for growth. During the program, multiple members of an organization’s staff and board participate in detailed self-assessments that examine various key capacity elements. These assessments are designed to reveal both current strengths and areas that need improvement. With guidance from an assigned consultant, the results are analyzed to create a tailored capacity-building plan. This plan includes actionable priorities, goals, and metrics for tracking progress, ensuring that organizations can make measurable advancements in their operational capacity. The program spans eight to ten months and follows a team-based model. Key components include the involvement of an organizational development consultant selected from a pool provided by the Western New York Foundation. The process begins with one or two online organizational assessments conducted before project launch, with results reviewed collaboratively with the consultant. An initial capacity assessment is then developed to guide further planning. Throughout the program, participants receive ongoing consultation, technical assistance, and organizational development coaching aimed at overcoming capacity-related challenges and fostering sustainable growth. A final deliverable is a two to three-year organizational capacity-building plan with clearly defined actions and progress tracking mechanisms. Participating organizations receive a $10,000 stipend to offset administrative expenses related to iCAP participation. This stipend is generously funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. Eligibility requirements include having nonprofit 501(c)(3) status, focusing at least 90% of work on food systems, operating as an arts and culture organization, or serving rural communities. Applicants must have filed IRS Form 990 (not postcard filings) for at least three years, maintain an operational budget between $250,000 and $6 million, employ at least four full-time equivalent staff members, and have an executive director who has been in their role for at least one year. To apply, organizations can submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) via the online grant portal or schedule a verbal LOI meeting with the foundation’s Program Officer by July 7, 2025. The application timeline for the May 2025 grant cycle includes an LOI opening date of May 27, 2025, with an LOI deadline of July 21, 2025. Notifications regarding LOI decisions will be sent on August 4, 2025, with a final application deadline of August 25, 2025. Site visits are scheduled for October 2025, and funding decisions will be announced in November 2025. There is also a November grant cycle, with LOI opening in December 2025, followed by corresponding deadlines in early 2026. Detailed application resources, including iCAP LOI questions and a demographic data spreadsheet, are available to assist applicants. The foundation encourages early engagement through meetings with the Program Officer and provides contact opportunities via their website. This structured and supportive grant opportunity offers nonprofits a valuable pathway to enhance their operational effectiveness and build capacity for long-term impact.