Grants for Individuals - Social Advocacy

This grant provides funding for early-career scholars at U.S. colleges and universities to conduct rigorous research on the effects of criminal justice policies and practices, with a focus on promoting equity and transparency in the justice system.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for U.S. government exchange program alumni in Benin to develop projects that empower local youth in technology, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to individual writers working on long-form nonfiction projects related to arts, criticism, politics, and journalism, helping them develop their work for publication.

This grant provides funding for individuals or teams worldwide to support feminist projects that promote gender equality and challenge discrimination across various fields such as science, art, and culture.

This funding opportunity supports innovative visual artists in the St. Louis region to create impactful projects that address societal issues and promote equity and sustainability.

This grant provides temporary financial assistance to individuals in Illinois and Indiana undergoing breast cancer treatment who are facing financial hardship due to their medical expenses.

The Spirit of Humanity Award, offered by the Legacy Foundation, recognizes individuals, civic groups, organizations, or groups of individuals who inspire the Foundation's vision through their leadership and action. This annual award aligns directly with the Legacy Regional Community Foundation's mission: "creates a stronger future for our area by building endowments, providing informed leadership & connecting donors to critical needs of the region." The award seeks to honor those whose contributions reflect this core mission, thereby reinforcing the Foundation's strategic priority of fostering community betterment through leadership and impactful initiatives. The target beneficiaries of this award are individuals or groups residing in or around the Cowley/Sumner County area who have demonstrated uncommon leadership or action within the past 12 months. The impact goal is to celebrate and highlight those who embody the Foundation's values, inspiring others to contribute to the region's strength. By recognizing these efforts, the Foundation aims to cultivate a stronger sense of community and encourage ongoing engagement in addressing critical local needs. The program prioritizes actions that genuinely reflect the Foundation's mission, emphasizing leadership and contributions that may or may not be financial. This broad definition ensures that a wide range of impactful activities are considered. The focus is on inspiring positive change and demonstrating a commitment to the well-being of the community, aligning with the Foundation's theory of change that recognizing exemplary community service fosters a more engaged and resilient region. Expected outcomes include increased public awareness of the Legacy Regional Community Foundation's mission and values, a stronger sense of community pride, and the encouragement of further civic engagement. Measurable results would include the number of nominations received, the visibility of the awardees' stories in the Foundation gallery, and the anecdotal evidence of inspired community action following the award. The award serves as a tangible expression of the Foundation's commitment to informed leadership and connecting donors to critical needs, ultimately contributing to a more robust future for the area.

The Nexus Grant, offered by the City of Austin, is designed to support new and emerging local small organizations, individual artists, and small arts businesses in producing creative public projects. With an award of $5,000, the program aims to nurture the creative community by funding activities that enrich the city and its tourists through community-centered arts and collaboration. This aligns with a broader mission to foster cultural vibrancy and accessibility within Austin. The primary beneficiaries of the Nexus Grant are new and emerging applicants within the creative community, including artists, culturally specific groups, LGBTQIA and disability communities, nonprofits, and social advocacy organizations. The program's impact goals are centered on supporting creative public activities, encouraging community engagement, and promoting cultural collaboration. Through these efforts, the grant seeks to strengthen Austin's artistic landscape and provide diverse cultural experiences for both residents and visitors. The program prioritizes applicants who represent, serve, and are accountable to communities at immediate risk of cultural erasure and displacement within Austin, and those that have been historically marginalized and under-funded by the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division. This includes communities such as Black/African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities. Additionally, priority is given to applicants who have not received City of Austin Cultural Funding awards in the last five years, emphasizing support for truly emerging entities. Eligible activities for funding include exhibitions, performances, workshops with a performance or exhibition component, and public art projects accessible to the public. Grant funds can cover various expenses such as administrative and artist payments, space and equipment rentals, supplies, marketing, insurance, and fiscal sponsor fees. The expected outcomes are the successful production of these creative public projects, increased community engagement in the arts, and the empowerment of underrepresented voices within Austin's cultural sector. Measurable results would include the number and type of projects produced, audience reach, and the diversity of communities served, contributing to the city's strategic priorities of cultural equity and inclusion.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to pediatric and family medical practices in New York State to implement the HealthySteps model, which enhances early childhood development and mental health services for children ages 0–3 and their families, particularly in underserved areas.

The Dao Prize, funded by the Daofeng and Angela Foundation in conjunction with Young America’s Foundation’s National Journalism Center (NJC), is an annual award designed to recognize excellence in investigative journalism. The program's mission aligns with fostering high-quality journalism, particularly in investigative, local, and multimedia formats. While the specific mission of the Daofeng and Angela Foundation or the NJC's broader strategic priorities are not explicitly detailed as a 'theory of change' in the provided text, the establishment of this prize clearly indicates a strategic priority to support and elevate journalists who produce impactful and well-researched stories, thereby contributing to an informed public and a robust journalistic landscape. The target beneficiaries of the Dao Prize are U.S.-based news publications and individual journalists, including those working for Substack pages, YouTube channels, podcasts, and other multimedia outlets. The impact goals are to encourage and reward exceptional journalistic work, particularly in areas often overlooked or under-resourced, such as local and multimedia journalism. By providing substantial financial awards, the prize aims to empower journalists and outlets to continue their critical work, thereby strengthening the foundation of American journalism and its ability to hold power accountable and inform communities. The program prioritizes excellence in investigative journalism, with additional categories specifically recognizing outstanding local and multimedia journalism. This focus ensures that the prize not only celebrates groundbreaking investigations but also acknowledges the vital role of community-focused reporting and innovative storytelling formats. Expected outcomes include a rise in the quality and quantity of investigative, local, and multimedia journalism, as well as increased recognition and financial stability for journalists producing such work. Measurable results include the annual selection of a grand prize winner receiving $100,000, along with runners-up and winners in the local and multimedia categories each receiving $10,000. The prize's impact can be measured by the caliber and reach of the winning stories, the ongoing careers of the recognized journalists, and the visibility of the award itself in encouraging future submissions and high standards. The explicit criteria for evaluation—based on a ten-point scale across five main categories—ensure a rigorous and transparent selection process, reinforcing the prize's commitment to recognizing true excellence.

Poynter Reporting Grants for Transgender Coverage Grant Amount: $10,000 to $15,000 (three grants available) Eligibility: Reporters planning projects on all platforms (online, radio, video, print). Must have attended or watched both Beat Academy Transgender Coverage webinars. If not attended, enroll in the course. Support: One-on-one coaching available as needed. Focus: Strong applications focus on concrete local examples of transgender issues. Focus can be personal, family, community, or state level. Emphasis on a crisp story pitch, clear reporting plan, and evidence of reporting skill. Projects should be completed by December 31, 2024. Application Details: Applications due by May 3, 2024. Winners announced in late May. For questions, email Jon Greenberg at [email protected]. Funding Source: Supported by the Gill Foundation.

This grant provides financial assistance to nontraditional college students, established entrepreneurs, and community advocates in El Dorado, Arkansas, who demonstrate a commitment to community service and embody the values of compassion and leadership.

This grant provides funding to Colorado artists, activists, and organizations to implement projects that use the arts to promote social justice and improve community welfare.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community organizations in Fayetteville for projects that aim to reduce crime and violence, with grants ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 available to both recognized and grassroots groups.

This grant provides funding to support innovative projects that promote the understanding and application of psychoanalytic principles, particularly for early-career professionals and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is making up to $3M in Title I Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Statewide Activities funding available under the Apprenticeship Expansion Grant (AEG-4) Request for Applications (RFA). The purpose of this RFA is to expand New York State (NYS) Registered Apprenticeship (RA) training by increasing employment opportunities for approximately 130 apprentices, with a focus on underrepresented populations. These apprentices will enter trades in high-demand occupations, with a focus on the emerging fields of Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, Hospitality, and Information Technology, as well as other in-demand occupations. Please note that this solicitation focuses on promoting the expansion of NYS RAs and as such, RAs in the field of Construction are not eligible for funding under this RFA unless the trade is to be used for the upkeep and maintenance of a facility owned by the business entity employing the apprentice, such as plant maintenance trades.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Native women-led organizations addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit Peoples in the U.S.

This grant seeks a skilled grant writer to help secure funding for a memorial and healing center dedicated to honoring the victims and survivors of a tragic mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, while promoting healing, education, and social justice.

This grant provides financial assistance to women in southwest Michigan who have faced barriers to education or employment, helping them pursue post-secondary degrees or certifications for greater financial independence.

This funding opportunity provides small grants to organizations and individuals in Sierra Leone for projects that promote cultural, educational, and civic engagement, fostering collaboration and mutual understanding with the United States.