Empowering Nonprofits. Strengthening Communities.
The Catapult Grant Program is through the Dan River Nonprofit Network and supported by the Danville Regional Foundation (DRF), created to build stronger and more impactful nonprofits serving the Dan River Region (City of Danville, VA; Pittsylvania County, VA; and/or Caswell County, NC).
History
The Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) has invested in building the capacity of nonprofits in the Dan River Region, initially through assessments and workshops that supported organizational growth for nearly a decade. In 2023, this initiative was expanded in partnership with the Dan River Nonprofit Network (DRNN), introducing the Catapult Capacity Program—a targeted capacity-building grant opportunity designed to equip nonprofits with the tools, knowledge, and funding they need to make a lasting impact. Navona Strategies, a national social impact consultancy, helps facilitate the Catapult Process in close partnership with the Dan River Nonprofit Network.
2026 Opportunity
In 2026 up to six organizations will be invited to apply for Catapult Grants of up to $25,000 to support capacity-building initiatives that strengthen their operations and effectiveness. The program provides:
- A fully funded Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT®) to evaluate key organizational strengths and areas for improvement.
- Consultant support (led by local and with additional support from Navona Strategies) to develop a tailored capacity-building plan and assist with the grant application process.
- If approved, grant funding of up to $25,000 to implement these plans.
- Guidelines about what types of support could be part of a Catapult Grant can be found here.
Pre-Applications: Open Call for Eligible Organizations
The first step in the process is submitting a Pre-Application Survey—a required step to help us determine eligibility. Pre-Applications open on Monday, April 6, 2026 at 9am ET and close Friday, May 15, 2026 at 6pm ET.
Selected organizations will be notified by early July and invited to participate in the full application process. If chosen, you will receive support from local and national consultants to complete the CCAT assessment, develop a customized capacity-building plan, and strengthen your grant application—all at no cost to your organization.
2026 Dates for Catapult Program:
Monday, April 6 @9am: Pre-Application Open (all interested and eligible)
Friday, May 15 @6pm: Pre-Application Deadline (all interested and eligible):
Early July 2026: Invitation to Apply Notification
Friday, July 31: Grant Application Orientation (for invited organizations only)
August-October: Catapult Grant Capacity Assessment & Application Coaching (for invited organizations only):
Friday, October 30 @6pm: Catapult Grant Applications Due (for invited organizations only)
End of November: Grant Award Decisions Announced
Who Can Apply?
Catapult Grants are available to nonprofits serving:
- City of Danville, VA
- Pittsylvania County, VA
- Caswell County, NC
Submit Your Pre-Application Today
If your organization is ready to take the next step in building capacity and enhancing its impact, submit your Pre-Application starting on April 6 at 9 AM!
Access the Pre-Application Here
Have Questions?
Submit any questions you have about the pre-application to the catapult email, catapult@danrivernonprofits.org, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
We appreciate your dedication to the Dan River Region and look forward to supporting you in building a stronger, more sustainable future!
Download our Program Flier and Timeline. Catapult 2026 Flier and Timeline