Capital projects are defined as new buildings, renovations, or expansions to existing facilities/buildings. Organizations may apply for a capital grant even if they have already received, or plan to apply for, operating or program funding.
2026-2027 Capital Grants
The application window for the 2026-2027 capital round will open on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 and close on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Decisions will be made and announced in early 2027. For information about our capital grants, view the criteria below. For additional questions, contact Grants Manager Jessica Cherok at [email protected].
Capital Criteria
Capital projects are defined as new buildings or renovations or expansions to existing facilities/buildings. Learn more about if your organization qualifies to apply for a GAR Capital Grant. Read the FAQs below for further information.
The capital project must:
- Be located within Summit County.
- Prioritize GAR’s strategies in the areas of: education; economic, workforce, and community development; arts and culture; and basic needs.
- Be critical to the organization’s mission.
- Be proven to create quantifiable efficiencies.
Fund criteria:
- The maximum amount that can be requested is $50,000.
- Funds must be deployed within 18 months of the grant award.
- Fundraising should be near completion, with most dollars already raised.
- Organizations should have exhausted most other potential funding sources.
- Must have 100% participation in funding contribution to the capital project by its board members (and/or to the overall organization if the capital project is not part of a discrete capital campaign).
GAR capital grants do not fund:
- Vehicles
- Technology
- Projects outside of Summit County
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we apply if we're already a GAR grantee?
Yes, organizations that currently receive grant funding from GAR are eligible for a capital grant.
Do we have to be a past or current GAR grantee to receive capital funding?
No. We provide capital grants to organizations that might not traditionally receive operating funding from GAR. We prioritize capital grant proposals that advance our strategies in the areas of: education; economic, workforce, and community development; arts and culture; and basic needs.
If I received a capital grant during the last round, am I eligible this round?
Yes, organizations that received funding in a previous capital grant round will be eligible for this round.
Would a second contribution to a multi-year capital campaign qualify?
GAR prioritizes projects that haven't been contributed to in the past, but organizations are welcome to apply and will be considered.
What types of projects qualify?
We prioritize mission critical projects. Due to the high demands of requests, we also take a special interest in projects that take the well-being and safety of a facility in mind.
How much can we request?
The maximum amount that can be requested is $50,000.
Some stats to consider before submitting your request:
- The average capital grant award during the last two rounds (2023 & 2025) has been $19,600.
- Just 4% of the 2025 capital grants awarded were at the maximum $50,000 level.
What is most likely to make my request competitive?
- Projects that prioritize safety and well-being
- A request of the last dollars in on major/capital campaigns
- Small to mid-size grants that fully fund a one-time critical project
- Projects that are connected to our grantmaking priorities and are mission critical
- A project budget that credibly supports that amount of your capital grant request
How much fundraising needs to occur prior to a request?
GAR prioritizes projects that are near completion in fundraising.
Does our board need to contribute?
Organizations must have 100% participation in funding contribution to the capital project by its board members to qualify for a capital grant.
What doesn't GAR’s Capital Grant Program fund?
GAR’s capital grant program does not fund:
- Vehicles
- Technology
- Projects outside of Summit County