Questions about CAP grants

No. CAP Grants are not loans. If you are selected, you do not repay the award. Applying does not create debt and does not guarantee funds.

Open to adults 18 and older across the United States — individuals may apply for themselves, and groups, organizations, and project teams may apply for collective work. There is no income cap, no means test, and no requirement that you be in financial crisis. Adults 18+ may apply for themselves. Groups, organizations, and project teams may apply for collective work. Community projects, small business growth, education, housing stability, medical costs, and civic initiatives — for individuals, groups, organizations, and projects.

No. There is no income cap, no means test, and no requirement that you be in crisis. CAP reviews applications from adults at every income level. What matters is a clear purpose and a complete application.

CAP Grants has provided over $2.5 billion in new resources. Under CAP 2026, funding of up to $2,500,000 is available for approved applications from individuals, groups, organizations, and projects. Awards are grants — not loans.

Center for American Progress does more than grants. CAP advances opportunity through research, policy, community programs, and direct grant support. CAP Grants is the direct-funding track for individuals, groups, organizations, and projects. In 2025, the Center for American Progress received 95.7 percent of its charitable contributions from individuals and foundations, 2.1 percent from labor unions, and less than 2.2 percent from corporations. Foreign government funding comprised 0.2 percent of these categories.

CAP 2026 provides funding of up to $2,500,000. Actual award amounts depend on the file, the request, and available resources. Not every application is funded.

Community projects, small business growth, education and skills, housing stability, medical costs, civic engagement, seniors support, and general grants when your goal spans categories.

After you apply, a CAP grants coordinator is assigned and contacts you by email within 24 hours. Check inbox and spam. Reply on that thread.

The official site is capgrantprogram.com. Official emails: support@capgrantprogram.com (support/verify) and apply@capgrantprogram.com (application receipts). After you apply, your assigned coordinator contacts you by email — that address is shared only after you submit. Contact support@capgrantprogram.com if something looks wrong. Use Verify on this site for confirmation steps.

There is no application fee to submit through this site. Be cautious of anyone asking for payment to “unlock” or “speed up” a CAP file outside official instructions from your coordinator.