Adaptive Capacity Grant Program
Provides rapid, trust-based funding for unexpected organizational crises.
Flexible Funding for Organizations in Crisis
Unexpected organizational challenges can threaten the stability of even the strongest nonprofit organizations. The GNOFN Adaptive Capacity Grant Program provides rapid, unrestricted grants of up to $7,500 to help small nonprofit organizations navigate unforeseen operational disruptions and continue serving their communities.
These grants exist to support the resilience of the Greater New Orleans’ nonprofit community so that a temporary setback doesn’t become a long-term crisis.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis while funding remains available.
Before You Apply
Before beginning your application, we encourage you to review the following resources:
Frequently Asked Questions: Learn more about eligibility, eligible uses of funds, trust-based funding, required documentation, timelines, and the application process.
Application Preview: Download the PDF version of the application to review the questions and prepare your responses before applying.
Application
Application Period: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis while funding remains available. Please note that the application will be closed during the month of December.
Apply Now
Questions? Please carefully review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on this page.
If you have additional questions about the Adaptive Capacity Grant Program, eligibility, or the application process, please contact: admin@gnofundersnetwork.org
We strive to respond to all inquiries within 2–3 business days.
Please note that this email address is intended for questions and technical assistance only. Grant applications, supporting materials, and funding requests submitted by email cannot be considered. All applications must be submitted through the Foundation for Louisiana's Submittable portal
FAQs: General Questions
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GNOFN coordinates philanthropy to ensure that investments in Southeast Louisiana result in impacted communities having the cultural, political, and social power to influence the decisions that affect their lives. Learn more about our work.
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The Wellbeing Fund is GNOFN's collaborative grantmaking fund, created to respond to community priorities and invest in the long-term wellbeing of Southeast Louisiana. The Adaptive Capacity Grant Program is supported through the Wellbeing Fund, alongside other responsive and strategic investments designed to strengthen communities and the nonprofit sector.
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Smaller nonprofit organizations are often the first to respond when communities face unexpected challenges, but they frequently have the fewest resources to manage organizational crises. The Adaptive Capacity Grant Program was created to provide rapid, one-time funding that helps organizations navigate unforeseen disruptions, stabilize operations, and continue delivering essential services.
These grants are intended to fill a unique gap in the philanthropic landscape by supporting organizational emergencies that may not be addressed through traditional grantmaking or existing rapid response funding.
FAQs: Administrative Questions
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While the Adaptive Capacity Grant Program is funded by GNOFN, GNOFN's financial operations are managed through its fiscal sponsor, the Foundation for Louisiana (FFL). As GNOFN's fiscal sponsor, FFL manages the grant application process, grant administration, and grant payments on behalf of GNOFN.
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Submittable is the online grants management platform used by the Foundation for Louisiana. There is no charge for applicants to create an account and submit applications via Submittable.
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Three most recent Form 990 documents.
W-9 signed and dated in this calendar year.
501(c)(3) determination letter.
Please note: If a grant is awarded to your organization, we will require ACH information (bank and routing number) and bank verification information that matches the 501(c)(3) information on the determination letter and W-9 form.
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Up to $7,500 is available per organization, depending on the nature of the crisis and the organization's needs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until available funds have been awarded. Organizations may receive one Adaptive Capacity Grant for a qualifying crisis per grant cycle year, defined as July 1-June 30. Please note that the grant cycle may not be open for the entire grant cycle year. The grant cycle will be closed during the month of December.
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All applicants will be notified by email once a funding decision - approval or denial - has been made.
If your application is approved, the notification will include next steps for completing the grant agreement and receiving payment.
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Once a grant has been approved and all required documentation has been completed, funding is typically distributed within four to six weeks.
FAQs: Eligibility Questions
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Organizations may apply if they:
Have a 501(c)(3) status or apply through an eligible fiscal sponsor;
Have an annual operating budget under $500,000;
Are experiencing an unexpected crisis or operational disruption that threatens their ability to carry out their core mission;
Are seeking one-time support to address that crisis; and
Serve communities in the Greater New Orleans region.
In the application, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate both the urgency of the situation and how grant funding will help continue mission-critical services.
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Adaptive Capacity Grants are designed to help organizations respond to unexpected organizational crises that impact operational stability and require immediate action.
Examples include:
Risk management and / or advocacy-related developments requiring external expertise and support.
Sudden financial shortfalls caused by unforeseen emergency expenses.
Leadership transitions that require immediate stabilization.
Trauma-informed organizational response following an unexpected event.
Physical safety and security or cybersecurity incidents that threaten operations.
These examples are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. Each application is reviewed based on its unique circumstances.
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Adaptive Capacity Grants are not intended to address routine organizational needs or long-term financial challenges.
Examples of ineligible requests include:
Mergers or acquisitions.
Weather-related disasters.
Payroll gaps not directly related to crisis response.
Predictable budget gaps or routine operating deficits.
New programs, program expansion, or opportunity grants.
Capacity building or strategic planning not necessitated by a crisis.
Long-standing financial challenges (e.g., persistent struggles for six months or more).
Capital campaigns or infrastructure improvements unrelated to crisis mitigation.
Sponsorships, fundraising events, or expected transitions resulting from routine grant cycles.
Crises resulting from organizational mismanagement or non-compliance, unless a clear path to resolution exists.
Goods or direct services that can reasonably be provided in-kind or obtained through donations (e.g. food, clothing, or office supplies).
These examples are illustrative rather than exhaustive. While the program has clear eligibility parameters, GNOFN recognizes that organizational crises take many forms and will review each request holistically to determine whether it aligns with the purpose of the Adaptive Capacity Grant Program.
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Organizations may receive one Adaptive Capacity Grant for a qualifying crisis per grant cycle year, defined as July 1-June 30. The grant cycle may not be open for the entire grant cycle year. The grant cycle will be closed during the month of December. If your organization experiences a different crisis in a future grant cycle year, you are welcome to apply again, provided you continue to meet the program's eligibility requirements.
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No. Organizations that have previously received funding from GNOFN or one of its Action Tables are welcome to apply if they meet the eligibility requirements for the Adaptive Capacity Grant Program.
However, Adaptive Capacity Grants are intended to provide one-time support for an unexpected organizational crisis. Receipt of previous GNOFN funding does not guarantee funding through this program.
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Yes. Fiscally sponsored organizations are welcome to apply if they meet the program's eligibility requirements. Additional documentation related to the fiscal sponsorship arrangement may be requested during the review process.
FAQs: Use of Funds Questions
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Adaptive Capacity Grants are unrestricted, trust-based grants, which means organizations have the flexibility to use funding in the ways they determine will best address the organizational crisis described in the application.
We understand that in a crisis, things can shift quickly. Rather than prescribing specific line items or activities, GNOFN trusts nonprofit leaders to use these grant funds in ways that help alleviate the crisis described in their application and support the continuity of their mission and core operations.
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No. Because Adaptive Capacity Grants are unrestricted, applicants are not required to submit a detailed project budget.
In the application, you will be asked to describe the nature of the crisis, the amount of funding requested, and how the funding will help stabilize the organization. The focus is on the organization's need and intended use of funds rather than a line-item budget.
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Yes. Organizations may use funding for any expenses related to the crisis it is experiencing. Because these are unrestricted grants, GNOFN recognizes that organizations are best positioned to determine how funding can have the greatest impact during a time of crisis.
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Yes. At GNOFN, we understand that circumstances can evolve quickly during a crisis. We expect that all funds granted will be used in ways that help alleviate the crisis described in their application and support the continuity of their mission and core operations.
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No. In keeping with GNOFN's commitment to trust-based philanthropy, the Adaptive Capacity Grant Program does not require a traditional grant report, financial reconciliation, or detailed accounting of how funds were spent.
Instead, grantees will receive a brief learning survey approximately one month after receiving funding. The survey is designed to help GNOFN understand whether the grant helped your organization navigate its unexpected challenge, gather feedback on your experience with the program, and identify opportunities to strengthen the Adaptive Capacity Grant Program for future nonprofit partners.
The survey is intended to be a light-touch opportunity for reflection rather than a compliance exercise, and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
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No. Because Adaptive Capacity Grants are unrestricted, GNOFN does not require organizations to spend the funds within a prescribed timeframe.
At the same time, this program is designed to respond to unexpected organizational crises that require timely support. We expect organizations to use the funding to address the urgent needs described in their application and to help stabilize operations during or immediately following the crisis.
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Please email admin@gnofundersnetwork.org with any questions not addressed here. We are happy to help and strive to respond to inquiries within 2–3 business days.
Please note that this email address is intended for questions and technical assistance only.
To ensure a fair and consistent review process, grant applications, supporting materials, and funding requests submitted by email cannot be considered. All applications must be submitted through the Foundation for Louisiana's Submittable portal.
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