Change Makers Initiative

The Change Makers Initiative is a grantmaking program established by Goldman Sachs through its Community Development Grants Program, which focuses on advancing economic opportunity and mobility in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities. This initiative reflects Goldman Sachs' broader commitment to community engagement and development through philanthropic support of nonprofit organizations working on systemic local challenges. The program aims to foster positive change by empowering community-based organizations that serve as catalysts in improving housing, small business ecosystems, neighborhood infrastructure, and essential services for underserved populations. The Change Makers Initiative provides general operating support to nonprofit organizations that are classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. To be eligible, organizations must have a central mission aligned with community development and must be physically located in or primarily serving specific counties within New York, New Jersey, or Utah. These include New York County, Bronx County, Kings County, Richmond County, and Queens County in New York; Hudson County and Essex County in New Jersey; and Salt Lake County, Summit County, and Tooele County in Utah. This geographic targeting is designed to ensure the grant supports communities where Goldman Sachs has identified the greatest potential for localized impact. The program’s focus areas are diverse but unified under the broader umbrella of community development. Grants may support efforts in affordable housing—such as increasing access to safe and stable living conditions; community services—including education, social services, and job training; small business development—particularly efforts that provide catalytic capital and resources to underserved entrepreneurs; and neighborhood revitalization—initiatives that help retain or attract residents and businesses in LMI areas. All funding is provided as general operating support, which allows recipients flexibility in addressing organizational needs. Applications are evaluated on multiple criteria. Key among them are measurable impact and community engagement. Successful applicants must demonstrate a history of producing positive outcomes within LMI communities and outline how their programming authentically engages and incorporates input from those communities. The grant prioritizes organizations that utilize community-driven solutions and maintain strong, ongoing relationships with the populations they serve. The review process assesses both the organization’s effectiveness and the relevance of its proposed work to the grant’s objectives. The application process consists of three phases. In Phase 1, all applications must be submitted by July 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Phase 2 involves evaluation and selection, with final award decisions expected to be made in the third quarter of 2025. Awardees will be notified before a public announcement is made. Phase 3 includes disbursement of funds, which will occur before the end of 2025. The funding is intended to support program implementation throughout the 2026 calendar year. For additional questions or clarifications, applicants are encouraged to reach out via email to gs-cd-grants@gs.com. There is no mention of required matching funds or application-specific technical assistance in the source information. The grant amount for a single award is up to $200,000, and the program is presented as an annual opportunity, indicating it is recurring in nature. However, details about the total funding pool or number of anticipated awards are not disclosed.