Catalyst Grant Program
This grant program aligns with The Cape Cod Foundation’s primary strategy: nonprofit capacity-building. It is designed to support strong organizations that are at a point of critical change or growth and is part of the Foundation’s ongoing goal to deepen our partnerships with nonprofits by matching substantial funding with other critical support to achieve greater outcomes.
The Foundation defines nonprofit capacity building as: intentional efforts to increase organizational ability to effectively fulfill its mission and build long-term sustainability through strengthening an organizations’ core systems, skills, resources, knowledge, operation, and management practices.
From 2021-2024, we conducted two successful capacity-building programs, investing nearly $1 million in 44 nonprofit organizations. In 2025, with generous support from Eastern Bank Foundation, we conducted an external evaluation of the programs and launched the Catalyst Grant Program in 2026.
The 2025 Capacity Building
Evaluation Project
If you count every tiny nut, bolt, and gasket, a standard internal combustion engine contains from 1,000 to 3,000 individual parts. Every single cylinder, piston, crankshaft, and camshaft must work simultaneously to power a vehicle. Nonprofit organizations have a similar complexity. While they certainly need funding, they also need technical assistance and other resources to run efficiently and go the distance for our community.
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Through the enhanced program, we awarded a total of $900,000 to 18 nonprofit organizations working in different impact areas across Cape Cod. The program provides each recipient a $50,000 grant over a three-year period, which nearly doubles our previous investment in capacity building. Leaders from each nonprofit will also participate in a peer-led cohort facilitated by Foundation staff to share information, group problem-solve, encourage collaboration, and strengthen their individual and collective impact. We have also reserved additional funds to provide technical assistance and outside resources tailored to specific needs and goals identified by the group.
The external evaluation gave us an invaluable opportunity to adapt and expand our efforts to help nonprofits respond to community needs. Our 2026 Catalyst Grant program incorporates many of the recommendations from the report.
2026 Grant Recipients
AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod
Behavioral Health Innovators
Belonging to Each Other, Inc.
Brazilian Resource Center-Health Ministry, Inc.
Cape Cod Children’s Museum
Cape Kid Meals
Cape Wellness Collaborative
CHAP Homes, Inc.
Cotuit Center for the Arts
Farming Falmouth
Food 4 Kids
Sharing Kindness, Inc.
Sustainable Cape-Center for Agricultural Preservation
& Education
Payomet Center for the Performing Arts
Provincetown Commons
The 300 Committee Land Trust
Twenty Summers
Yarmouth New Church
Together, we have invested more than $113 million in grants and scholarships in the Cape Cod Community. For good.
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Cape Cod Foundation
508.790.3040
261 Whites Path, Unit 2
South Yarmouth, MA 02664
info@capecodfoundation.org
