Nonprofit Capacity Building Collaborative
Collective Investment. Strengthening Nonprofits. Inspiring Philanthropy. Building a More Resilient Northern Nevada.
Program Purpose
Nonprofits across Northern Nevada are navigating increasing demand, funding uncertainty, and limited capacity. The Nonprofit Capacity Building Collaborative (NCBC) is a funder-led initiative designed to help nonprofit organizations during these challenges by strengthening the systems, messaging, and strategies that make individual giving possible.
Rooted in the findings of the Nonprofit Capacity Building Landscape Analysis and advanced through the strategic vision of the Steering Committee, the NCBC represents a coordinated, community-driven approach to strengthening nonprofit capacity.
Community Impact
Delivered through a cohort-based fellowship experience, focusing on equipping nonprofits with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to position them for greater sustainability and impact. The NCBC Fellowship Program strengthens the nonprofit sector by investing in people and systems. Not just programs.
Over time, this work contributes to:
- A more resilient nonprofit ecosystem
- Improved workforce stability and organizational health
- Increased philanthropic engagement across the region
- Stronger alignment between donors, nonprofits, and community priorities
How The Program Works
The NCBC Fellowship Program is delivered over several months and combines education, coaching, and real world donor engagement opportunities.
Each year, 20-25 mid-sized nonprofits with annual budgets between $500,000 and $5 million will be accepted into the cohort.
Participants Engage In:
- 12-month cohort-based learning and peer exchange
- Organizational health assessments and goal setting
- Fundraising readiness training and strategy development (through the Lilly School of Philanthropy-Fundraising School)
- Customized technical assistance and systems implementation between sessions
- Donor communications and storytelling practice Pitch coaching focused on clarity, confidence, and alignment
- A culminating Pitch Showcase that connects nonprofits with community members and local donors
Dedicated Staff Participation
Organizations should plan to actively engage throughout the program by assigning at least one staff member (in addition to the Executive Director/CEO) focused on fundraising or donor engagement, participating fully in workshops, coaching sessions, and cohort convening, and implementing strategies and systems between sessions.
Time Commitment
Fellows should anticipate:
- Monthly cohort session or workshop
- 4-day fundraising bootcamp in the fall
- Regular check-ins or coaching sessions
- Internal time to implement new tools, systems, or strategies
Access to Resources
Organizations will receive individual and group assistance tailored to their needs to support the implementation of systems or strategies.
Collaborative Learning Environment
- Fellows will join a cohort of peer organizations across Northern Nevada, creating space to:
- Share challenges and solutions Learn from one another
- Build lasting relationships across the nonprofit sector
What Nonprofits Gain
- By the end of the program, participating organizations will have:
- Greater confidence in communicating their mission and impact
- Clearer fundraising and donor engagement strategies
- Stronger internal operational systems and practices Increased visibility within the community
- New relationships with peers, supporters, and philanthropic partners
Who Should Apply
Eligible organizations should:
- Executive Directors, Development Directors, or equivalent nonprofit leaders
- Organizations serving Northern Nevada communities
- 501(c)(3) public charities or fiscally sponsored organizations
- Have an annual operating budget between $500k-$5 million
- Want to build sustainable organizational and fundraising systems over time
- Be prepared to fully participate in a year-long cohort experience
- Have at least one dedicated staff member responsible for fundraising, development, or donor engagement (in addition to the Executive Director/CEO)
Submission Instructions:
Organizations are deleted through an application process that prioritizes readiness, alignment with community needs, and a commitment to participating fully in the cohort experience.
Applications are due by April 17, 2026. Selected participants will be notified by April 23, 2026.
Key Dates
Kickoff Meeting: April 30 (required for select organizations)
Additional program dates and milestones will be shared upon acceptance.
A shared commitment to growing philanthropy and supporting a thriving nonprofit ecosystem in Northern Nevada
Funding Acknowledgment:
The Nonprofit Capacity Building Collaborative is powered by the Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund and local philanthropic partners who share a commitment to supporting nonprofit capacity and long-term community impact.
Northern Nevada Endowment Fund
