The Harry Chapin Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that empower individuals and communities to achieve self-sufficiency. Its mission is rooted in helping people improve their lives through education, sustainability, and community engagement. The Foundation makes grants to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits, primarily grassroots organizations with annual budgets under $750,000. Its funding priorities include Arts-in-Education, Community Education, and Agricultural and Environmental programs.
Grants are awarded for one-year periods and typically range from a few hundred dollars to a maximum of $10,000. In 2024, the Foundation awarded 42 grants with an average value of $2,553 and a total disbursement of $107,229. Renewals are considered but not guaranteed, and no organization can receive funding for more than three years in total. Fiscal agents are not permitted, and organizations must have their own IRS tax-exempt status.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year and reviewed at one of three annual board meetings. To maximize the chance of timely review, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. All proposals must be submitted in PDF format via the online portal after completing the required form fields. Each application must include organizational and contact details, the funding amount requested, and a comprehensive narrative covering mission, needs addressed, program details, staffing, budgets, and funding sources.
Organizations may use the New York/New Jersey Common Application Form, though it is not required. The Foundation emphasizes clarity and substance over formatting. All proposals must highlight the purpose of the grant, a summary of the organization’s goals, methods, evaluation plans, and a detailed current operating budget. If project-specific funding is requested, the application must also provide a breakdown of expected and actual income sources tied to the project.
Applicants awarded funding must submit a usage report within 12 months of receiving the grant. The Foundation prohibits the use of its grants for individuals, organizations using fiscal agents, or those without current 501(c)(3) status. Contact with the Foundation is encouraged for clarifying questions about the process. The Foundation is headquartered in Huntington, New York, and led by Executive Director Mike Grayeb.
