Encouraging Citizen Involvement Grants

The Herb Block Foundation's Encouraging Citizen Involvement program is one of its three core funding initiatives, aligned with the Foundation’s mission to support a responsible and responsive democratic government. Named in honor of the renowned political cartoonist Herb Block, the Foundation promotes engagement in democratic processes and upholds values such as transparency, equity, and civic responsibility. The program is designed to encourage voter education, engagement, and nonpartisan participation in the electoral process, aligning with Herb Block’s lifelong advocacy against abuses of power and support for informed civic involvement. This funding opportunity invites proposals that foster citizen participation in democratic systems. Eligible projects may include public education campaigns about voting, civic engagement efforts targeting underrepresented communities, and initiatives to increase turnout and awareness around elections. All funded activities must be strictly nonpartisan; projects involving lobbying for specific legislation or candidates will not be considered. The Foundation places strong emphasis on transparency, equity, and measurable impact through community-focused, nonpartisan activities. The Foundation accepts applications through a two-step process consisting of a required Letter of Inquiry (LOI) followed by a Full Proposal upon invitation. LOIs must briefly summarize the project's objectives, target populations, timeline, budget, and anticipated outcomes. Applicants should also include their IRS nonprofit determination letter, a current operating budget, and audited financials if available. Only invited applicants may submit a Full Proposal. All application steps are conducted online, and even returning grantees must submit an LOI each fiscal year. For the Encouraging Citizen Involvement cycle, LOIs are due by June 4, 2026. Organizations invited to submit full proposals must do so by August 13, 2026. The Foundation’s board will review and make funding decisions by September 22, 2026. All applicants are notified by email whether they are selected to proceed to the Full Proposal stage. Grants are awarded for one-year terms, with funding levels ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. No more than 10% of any grant may be allocated to indirect costs unless the grant is for general operating support. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. While national organizations are welcome, the Foundation limits some programs to the Washington, DC metro area; however, this specific initiative does not include geographic restrictions. Capital, endowment, or religious programming is not eligible. Funded projects must demonstrate potential for scalable impact, adhere to reporting requirements, and avoid partisan political activity. Progress reports are due every six months, and a final report is required at the conclusion of the grant term. These reports must include financials and narrative responses to questions regarding progress, challenges, and outcomes. Contact with the Foundation can be made via their Washington, DC office phone line, and detailed application requirements and deadlines are listed on their website.

Submit LOI even if you're a past grantee; ensure all documents are current; focus on nonpartisan impact.