Our Funding Methods
We are in the process of expanding our funding methods – beyond our deep knowledge of facilities capital – to include grantmaking and investment tools previously not awarded by The Kresge Foundation. Our intent is to make capital available to organizations in the right form, at the right time, and with the right terms, in order to help propel them along the trajectory of long-term sustainability.
Below is a list of our various funding methods.
Grantseekers may apply online for facilities capital in the form of a challenge grant. All other granting and investing methods are determined by the foundation based on the particular needs of a given organization and project.
New developments will be announced as program updates on the front page of our Web site.
Learn more about our fields of interest.
Grantmaking and investing tools
- Facilities capital grants fund the acquisition and construction of facilities, including land, new construction and existing property renovation, and major equipment purchases. Facilities-capital grants historically have been awarded as challenge grants to organizations engaged in capital campaigns to raise private funds for their projects.
- General operating support provides nonprofit organizations with unrestricted funds to use as they deem appropriate to become more sustainable over time. The funds may be used for staffing, new technology or business practice development, among other purposes.
- Growth capital grants support specific efforts associated with expanding, retooling, transitioning or scaling an organization’s operations so that it may develop a more sustainable operating model.
- Planning grants provide seed money in the form of a grant or a loan to organizations for business planning, market analysis and other necessary aspects of launching or spinning off a new nonprofit organization.
- Program-related investments are loans to nonprofit organizations, including nonprofit banks or community development financial institutions. PRIs provide high-performance organizations with access to financial capital. A secondary benefit of the PRI is that interest is charged at below-market rates.
- Program support provides restricted funds for specific activities associated with an organization’s programming, such as research, program management or any other explicitly designated purpose.
If you have questions, e-mail the Grants Inquiry Coordinator or call 248-643-9630.