The Capacity Lab

A Capacity-Building Collaborative for BIPOC-Serving and Grassroots ESOs

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The Capacity Lab (Cap Lab) is a project of the Indianapolis Foundation, with design and implementation support from the Collective Futures team. This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen and support organizations advancing entrepreneurship and community impact, particularly those that are grassroots and BIPOC-serving in the Indianapolis entrepreneurial support ecosystem.

The Indianapolis Foundation will select up to eight (8) entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) that demonstrate strong community connections, a clear vision for impact, and readiness to engage in a shared learning and capacity-building process throughout 2026 and 2027. Each grantee will engage in one-on-one coaching, technical assistance, and collective learning experiences designed to build capacity in ways that honor their wisdom and the needs of the communities they serve.

The Indianapolis Foundation is accepting grant applications until January 23, 2026 at 4pm. Visit the IF Cap Lab grant page to learn more about the initiative.

Call for Equity-Centered Technical Assistance Providers

Collective Futures is seeking equity-centered technical assistance (TA) providers across disciplines to be added to a resource directory that Cap Lab grantee partners can engage with over the course of their 2-year program. Additionally, Collective Futures is seeking individuals with deep non-profit and coaching experience to provide coaching services to The Capacity Lab grantee partners. 

Below you will find more details on these opportunities.

Opportunities to Engage:

Technical Assistance Provider Directory (for consulting firms and practitioners)

Call for Coaches (for equity-centered leadership coaches)

  • Interest Form Opens: January 12, 2026

  • Deadline: January 30, 2026

  • Link to Coach Interest Form

  • Questions: Contact Lisa Osterman at lisa@collectivefutures.us

We invite you to share these opportunities widely and help ensure that participating organizations have the resources and support they need to grow and thrive.