Capacity Building Resource Library
A central hub for regional capacity building resources. The GASC Capacity Building Resource Library is designed to support community-based organizations looking to apply for funding opportunities across the city, county and state. From getting ready to apply for funding, through successful data collection and reporting, we have resources to help guide you through the grant process.
What is Capacity Building?
Capacity Building is the process of strengthening the skills, competencies and abilities of people and organizations so they can sustainably and effectively achieve their goals.
Building internal capacity and organizational infrastructure helps community-based organizations to leverage strengths, address gaps and thrive as an organization. The GASC views capacity building as an investment in the effectiveness and sustainability of organizations doing critical work in communities. By supporting the capacity building goals of organizations, we help ensure they operate at a high level, leading to greater impact in the communities we serve.
Grant Readiness Resources
Get ready to apply for a grant
Writing a compelling grant application, budgets and categorizing costs (e.g., indirect rates), and registering for SAM.gov and a DUNS number
Goal development, program planning, and how to align program goals and performance metrics
Grant application and program design, monitoring & compliance, and Cook County grant opportunities
Self-paced tutorials that will guide you through various processes associated with iSupplier and online bidding
Step by step process to setting up an account in iSupplier
Replying to a registration invitation from the City of Chicago for access to their iSupplier Portal
Grant writing tips and responding to a solicitation/ bid opportunity through procurement services
Finding all of the City of Chicago current bid opportunities in Oracle
Reviewing a solicitation document through the iSupplier Portal
Printing a solicitation document through the iSupplier Portal
Replying to a registration invitation, for which the City of Chicago needs additional information regarding your registration
Submitting a response to a construction solicitation document through the iSupplier Portal for the first time
eProcurement, access to the iSupplier portal, registration, delegate agencies, viewing bids/ solicitation and responding to bid/ solicitations
Entering bids for solicitations with groups where vendors are not bidding on all groups
Submitting bidds using eProcurement and Isupplier
Changes the city has implemented to the Delegate Agency contracting process
Creating invoices/vouchering, viewing orders and payments
Blank invoice form used as a recollection tool
New changes to the DUNS # and the federal government Unique entity Identification (UEI)
isupplier online bidding and invoicing training
Best practices and common mistakes when applying for City RFPs and upcoming opportunities
Exploring common requirements in pursuing government funding, assessing whether your organization is ready to apply for government funding and highlighting key factors in preparing a winning grant application
Best practices to use when navigating through the city's RFP's
Using social media to your advantage for fundraising purposes
Best practices to use when writing city/government grants
Grant application submission recommendations and resources
Preparing to apply for a grants, whether to apply for a grant, creating a succesfull grant application, building your budget, grant management
Grant Administration Resources
Meet the technical requirements of your grant
(For the purpose of the grant resources listed on this page, subaward refers to an award provided by a pass-through entity (GASC funding agencies) to a subrecipient (community-based organizations receiving CVI funding) for the subrecipient to carry out part of a federal award received by the pass-through entity.)
Fiscal reporting requirements and compliance
Looking for grants, drafting program narrative, setting up a budget, complying with GATA, etc.
Completing the GATA pre-qualification process, ensuring compliance with GATA regulations and facilitating access to grant funding
Steps of the registration process in the GATA grantee portal
How to register an account in the state's grant management system
How to complete an application for funding opportunity in grants management system
Updating your organizations details for the City of Chicago
Uploading an electronic funds transfer (EFT) or virtual card program (VCP) form to your iSupplieer account at the City of Chicago
Viewing all of your invoices that have been created by the City of Chicago through their iSupplier Portal
Viewing all of your purchase orders history that have been created by the City of Chicago through their iSupplier Portal
Viewing all of your purchase orders that have been created by the City of Chicago through their iSupplier Portal
Viewing all of your receipts that have been created by the City of Chicago through their iSupplier Portal
Viewing all of your returns that have been created by the City of Chicago through their iSupplier Portal
Building a culture of philanthropy, creating opportunities for revenue in foundations, major gifts, corporate giving, and events, making an effective case for your vision, identifying the tools and methods to fund your mission
Resources to meet GATA pre-qualification requirements
Grant application requirements and resources
Step-by-step instructions to complete pre-awared requirements (ex. Internal Controls Questionnaire (ICQ))
Meeting grant award requirements for 11 different topics
Technical resources and assistance in the navigation of the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act and the grant application process
Program Implementation & Performance Resources
Put a successful program into action
Program evaluation, tracking metrics and key performance indicators, federal compliance, and procurement
Understanding the essentials of Working ON the Business, not just IN the Business, examine the ins and outs of people amnagement and exploring practical tools and techniques that encourage efficiency
Connecting with your peers and subject matter experts to discuss upcoming grants and specific organizational challenges
Individualized assistance to help established nonprofit organizations that are ready to apply for a contract with the City of Chicago to overcome pandemic-related challenges, manage current contracts, and continue their growth
Addressing aspects of non profit program management
Developing non profit capacity building
Developing non profit capacity building
Technical assistance and capacity building services for disproportionately impacted nonprofits, helping to stabilize and scale their operations