Build Investments: Empowering Nonprofits with Capital, Capacity, and Community

New Profit’s Build Investments initiative is designed to provide nonprofits with the capital, capacity, and community they need to thrive. Through multi-year unrestricted grants and strategic advisory support, Build Investments strengthens leadership, enhances organizational capabilities, and promotes long-term sustainability.

This program focuses on organizations working within the interconnected systems of education, economic mobility, and democracy, aiming to empower social entrepreneurs guided by the communities they serve.

What Build Investments Offers

• Funding Support
  • $1.5 million in multi-year, unrestricted grants.
  • Flexible funding designed to support long-term impact and sustainability.
  • Four-year funding terms to allow organizations to invest in growth and innovation.
• Strategic Advisory
  • Dedicated New Profit Deal Partners provide deep strategic guidance.
  • Advisors cultivate transparent, trusting relationships with social entrepreneurs.
  • Customized support based on mutually agreed-upon goals.
• Capacity Building
  • Strengthening leadership and organizational capabilities.
  • Refining impact models and strategic management processes.
  • Clarifying economic models to ensure financial stability and flexibility.
• Community Access
  • Connections to a broad network of leaders and social entrepreneurs.
  • Opportunities to participate in learning communities.
  • Convenings and events to share knowledge and build partnerships.

Why Build Investments Matters

• Supports organizations with a track record of impact and financial sustainability.
• Helps leaders navigate change and growth while making strategic choices.
• Promotes equity by ensuring diverse founders have a seat at the table in shaping the future of education and opportunity.
• Encourages co-designed solutions to systemic challenges, rooted in community experience and expertise.

The Partnership Process

Organizations interested in joining the Build Investments portfolio follow a structured process:

1. Discovery
   • Submit a Discovery Form (open year-round).
   • Communicates interest in partnership and provides baseline information.
2. Pipeline
   • New Profit reviews Discovery Forms to gauge alignment with upcoming funding cycles.
3. Application
   • If aligned, organizations are invited to submit a formal application.
   • Applications are reviewed by New Profit staff and constituent advisors (including alumni leaders).
4. Screening & Diligence
   • Selected organizations engage in interviews with New Profit.
   • Deepens understanding of organizational work, leadership, and impact.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for Build Investments, organizations must meet the following requirements:

• Operate within the United States or its territories.
• Hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
• Maintain an annual expense budget of at least $2 million.
• Be led by at least one full-time social entrepreneur (40 hours/week).
• Actively engage with New Profit’s support model:
  • Deal Partner serves as a strategic advisor.
  • Deal Partner participates as a member of the organization’s Board of Directors.
  • Social entrepreneur attends convenings (minimum one per year).

Note: Submitting a Discovery Form does not equal submitting an application. It simply signals interest and alignment for future funding cycles.

Benefits for Social Entrepreneurs

• Capital: Multi-year unrestricted funding to invest in growth and sustainability.
• Capacity: Strategic guidance to refine models and strengthen leadership.
• Community: Access to a network of peers, advisors, and convenings.
• Credibility: Partnership with New Profit enhances visibility and legitimacy.

 

Build Investments is more than a funding program, it is a comprehensive support system for nonprofits tackling systemic challenges in education, economic mobility, and democracy. By combining unrestricted capital, strategic advisory, and community connections, New Profit empowers social entrepreneurs to scale their impact and achieve long-term sustainability.

This initiative ensures that diverse leaders and organizations have the resources and support needed to co-create solutions for a more equitable future. Learn more and  submit your application here.