Levine Impact Lab Grant Program

The Levine Impact Lab’s Operational Support Program is a 12-month, high-engagement initiative designed to support midsized, U.S.-based nonprofit organizations working at the intersection of environmental sustainability and social enterprise. Administered by the Levine Impact Lab, a nonprofit organization focused on building nonprofit leadership and capacity for systemic change, this program blends hands-on operational support with grant funding and access to a peer-learning community. The aim is to help organizations tackle strategic and financial priorities, thereby accelerating their mission-driven impact. At the core of the program is a tailored, hands-on partnership model. Selected organizations work closely with the Levine Impact Lab’s team to address a specific project or organizational challenge. Areas of focus might include improving financial infrastructure, increasing earned revenue streams, or planning for sustainable growth. Participating nonprofits must arrive with a well-defined initiative or challenge to work on throughout the 12-month engagement period. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with missions aligned with environmental justice, climate solutions, or sustainability. Organizations must be beyond the early-stage phase but still navigating a growth stage, with current annual operating budgets ranging from $500,000 to $3.5 million. Applicants should have a functioning governance structure with an active Board of Directors, and internal capacity that includes at least 8–10 full-time staff members. Organizations serving or rooted in Indigenous communities across the U.S. or affiliated territories are especially encouraged to apply. The application process includes completing an interest form, with selected applicants required to designate two senior staff members who will serve as key decision-makers and project leads throughout the program. These leaders must be empowered to implement change and stay involved in the entire 12-month cycle. Additional staff may be engaged on specific projects as needed, depending on the nature and scope of the organizational challenge. While only selected applicants participate in the high-engagement cohort, the Levine Impact Lab provides broader value to the nonprofit sector. Strategies and tools developed during the program will be made publicly available through the organization’s Resource Library. This ensures that even those not selected for the cohort can benefit from insights and methodologies developed through the program. Overall, this initiative serves as both a direct investment in select nonprofits and a broader contribution to capacity building across the environmental nonprofit sector. The program is rooted in a belief that nonprofit organizations, when provided with the same high-level resources and strategic guidance as for-profit enterprises, can scale effectively and create lasting impact within their communities.

Select a clearly defined operational challenge and ensure committed senior staff are ready to engage across the program duration