Nasdaq Foundation Grant Program

The Nasdaq Foundation offers a quarterly grant program to support organizations dedicated to promoting financial empowerment and entrepreneurship in under-resourced communities. As the philanthropic arm of Nasdaq, Inc., the Foundation aims to diversify entrepreneurship and reimagine investor engagement by funding programs that equip communities with the tools and knowledge needed to participate in wealth creation. This initiative aligns with Nasdaq’s broader corporate mission to make markets more inclusive, fair, and accessible. Grants are primarily directed toward organizations that demonstrate clear impact in one or more of three focus areas. First, under the "Empower" pillar, the Foundation seeks to enhance financial literacy and investment knowledge among underserved populations. Eligible initiatives include those that teach under-resourced communities how to invest in capital markets, with a particular emphasis on adult-focused financial literacy over traditional K–12 education programs. Second, through the "Support" pillar, the Foundation backs efforts that equip under-resourced entrepreneurs with mentoring, capital access, and business scaling resources. This includes initiatives that provide strategic resources and networks to founders facing structural barriers to success. Third, in the "Collaborate" category, the Foundation partners with organizations conducting data-driven research to identify the greatest challenges in inclusive entrepreneurship and to scale effective interventions. To qualify, applicants must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or be a for-profit entity applying through a qualified fiscal sponsor. Ineligible applicants include for-profit organizations not applying through a fiscal sponsor, entities designated as “disqualified persons” under IRS Code §4946, and any organization previously funded by the Nasdaq Foundation that failed to meet grant terms. Applicants with strong governance, a proven track record, and a scalable, impactful proposal are most competitive. There is no fixed minimum or maximum grant amount; however, the average award is $75,000. Proposals should align the funding request with the project’s scope and demonstrate reasonable budget allocations, including any proposed overhead costs. All grants are typically awarded for a one-year term, although multi-year funding may be considered if justified within the proposal. The grant process is designed to be flexible and responsive, with quarterly application windows allowing organizations to apply as their programs develop. While the specific deadlines for upcoming cycles are not listed, the program is recurring and applicants are encouraged to check regularly for updates. Applications are evaluated on organizational capacity, leadership quality, impact potential, and scalability. Though there are no limitations on the number of applications an organization may submit, each proposal is evaluated independently. Questions about eligibility, proposal development, or the application process can be directed to the Nasdaq Foundation at [email protected].