Early-stage Projects in Heritage, Environment & Social Justice

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize, offered by the J.M. Kaplan Fund, is designed to identify and support transformative, early-stage projects in the fields of heritage conservation, the environment, and social justice. Established in 2015, the Prize has funded 50 initiatives over five biennial cycles, supporting efforts as diverse as language preservation, environmental restoration, and health equity. The 2025 Prize will continue this legacy by providing up to ten awards to innovative projects that show strong potential for impact. Each award consists of a $150,000 cash grant disbursed over three years, along with an additional $25,000 in technical assistance funds. Recipients gain access to hands-on training, strategic guidance, and networking opportunities through the J.M. Kaplan Fund’s extensive resource network. The Fund aims to bridge the gap in funding for untested but promising ideas, offering unrestricted grants and flexible financial support to help early-stage projects scale and thrive. The application process is open to individuals or teams representing nonprofit or mission-driven for-profit organizations within the United States. Eligible projects must provide a game-changing solution to an identified issue, align with one or more of the Fund’s three core program areas, demonstrate the potential for developing a pilot or prototype with Prize funding, and articulate a clear theory of change that benefits multiple individuals, communities, or sectors. Most past awardees have been organizations active for less than five years with annual budgets below $500,000. The first-round application window opens on February 11, 2025, and closes on April 25, 2025. Select applicants will be invited to submit a second-round application in late spring. Finalists will present their ideas to the Fund’s trustees in the fall, with awardees formally announced in November 2025. The Prize also offers ongoing support to awardees through peer learning convenings, mentorship, and networking, fostering long-term success beyond the initial grant period. For the 2025 cycle, the J.M.K. Innovation Prize has partnered with The 1772 Foundation, Burnham Family Foundation, and Trinity Church NYC to enhance outreach, assist in application reviews, and expand funding opportunities. These partnerships increase the Prize’s reach and provide additional resources for applicants. The Fund welcomes bold ideas from across the country and encourages innovators to apply if their work aligns with the Prize’s emphasis on early-stage, high-impact solutions. The J.M. Kaplan Fund, established in 1945, has dedicated more than $300 million to advancing social, environmental, and cultural causes. The Fund remains committed to catalyzing change through inventive grant-making and strategic investment in pioneering solutions. For additional details and application materials, prospective applicants can visit JMKFund.org or contact the Fund at JMKInnovationPrize@JMKFund.org.