Private Social Advocacy Grants

The MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship offers $10,000 plus up to $5,000 for expenses to U.S. journalists, both freelance and staff, to develop a news project that localizes the impact of climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy, with a focus on local perspectives and solutions, aiming to engage and empower their audience.

The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to nonprofit organizations in Coles County, Illinois, for projects that promote social justice, human rights, religious tolerance, and environmental protection, with a preference for initiatives that engage local youth and address significant, unmet needs.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that assist vulnerable and underserved communities in Wood County, WV, and Washington County, OH, to improve their essential services and overall quality of life.

The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation is offering the Untold Stories Grants, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, to institutions in Coles County that aim to preserve, educate, and disseminate stories of historically underrepresented individuals, thereby promoting racial equity and social justice.

The Seybert Foundation Innovation Grants Program offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to Philadelphia-based nonprofits serving youth, to fund innovative projects in areas such as education reform, youth advocacy, and workforce development, with a focus on testing new approaches or pursuing opportunities for significant change.

Applicants are invited to apply for the Spirit of Humanity Award. Donor Name: Legacy Foundation State: Kansas, Tennessee County: Cowley County (KS), Sumner County (TN) Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/09/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Each year the Legacy Regional Community Foundation recognizes their Spirit of Humanity awardee(s) for inspiring the vision of Legacy Foundation through his/her leadership and action. The award recipient(s) are honored at a reception and their picture and story is posted in the Foundation gallery. Guidelines The candidate may be of any age, however must live in the region in-or-around the Cowley/Sumner County area. The candidate must reflect uncommon leadership or action within the last 12 months that truly reflects the mission and vision of the Legacy Regional Community Foundation, which is “creates a stronger future for our area by building endowments, providing informed leadership & connecting donors to critical needs of the region.” The action may take many forms, it need not be financial. The candidate may also be a civic group, organization, or groups of individuals for achievements or contributions to the community. For more information, visit Legacy Foundation.

The Berkeley FILM Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of first-ever short fiction film grant program. Donor Name: Berkeley Film Foundation (BFF) State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/23/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Berkeley FILM Foundation will provide grants in the pre-production, production, postproduction and distribution stages of the narrative short film project. The Berkeley FILM Foundation is interested in short, fiction films that use creative, thoughtful and innovative methods to tell a story with a strong theme of social or environmental justice. The review committee will be judging films based on originality, imagination and technical skill. Types of Grants  BFF has two tiers of grants available to filmmakers in the Narrative Film Grant Program: special awards and general grants. General Grants  General grants awarded will range between $5,000 – $10,000. The amount of the award will be determined by several aspects of the application including (but not limited to) the line items outlined in the project budget, the intended use of the grant, the stage of the project you are in and the team behind the project. If you receive less money than you asked for, it is usually because they have run low on allocated funds but want to support the project for its creativity or cultural or social relevancy and BFF’s small grant will help inspire other organizations to give larger amounts. The Saul Zaentz Awards: Two separate $25,000 grants This has historically been the Berkeley FILM Foundation’s highest award given each year and is the most prestigious. This is the first year they are introducing a second Saul Zaentz Award for $25,000. These films are chosen during final deliberation of the review committee and these films will embody the mission and purpose of the organization and its commitment to social justice. The grants are named after world-renowned film producer, Saul Zaentz, who was an original founder of the Berkeley FILM Foundation. Eligible Genre Short Form Narratives (40 minutes or less). Eligibility Criteria  To be considered for this grant, you must work or live in the city of Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, Oakland or Alameda. You must provide a valid street address for application. PO Box addresses will not be accepted. Applicants may submit one project for consideration per funding cycle. The applicant must be: The Director, co-director, Producer or co-Producer of the films. Organizations may not apply. Be at least 18 years of age. For more information, visit BFF.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profits, schools, churches, and government organizations in Jones County to enhance community well-being through projects focused on education, economic development, food security, and healthcare access.

This funding opportunity supports local non-profits, community groups, and individuals in Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Hell's Kitchen to develop projects that enhance community well-being, including health services, youth programs, food assistance, and arts initiatives, with grants up to $10,000.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations and school educators in Bowling Green, Ohio, for projects that improve community health and vitality, particularly in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for health and wellness projects that benefit residents in Roseau County, Minnesota, focusing on areas such as cancer care, diabetes services, hospice projects, and assistance for families facing pregnancy or child loss.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations and collaborative groups working to improve the quality of life for residents of Hebron through innovative programs and enhancements to existing services.

The Social Justice Fund NorthWest is pleased to announce the 2024 Base Building Grant, open to grassroots organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming. Donor Name: Social Justice Fund NorthWest State: Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Focus: Base Building as a community organizing tactic that grows the breadth and depth of people who share a vision for social justice and who develop and execute the organizing strategies to make that vision a reality in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming. Priority  SJF will prioritize organizations in both the prescreening and final decision process that: Have leadership (at least 51%) from Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities, and/or Conduct most of their work/organizing in reservation communities, and/or rural, small town communities SJF is looking for organizations that fit their community organizing framework AND whose work demonstrates EACH of the following four areas: Collective Power Working with a diverse membership to build collective power Building a critical mass of collective power that can win changes in policy, culture, or institution-building, and defend those wins Widening the Base Building authentic relationships with those in the base who are most affected by the issues the organization works on Bringing new people into the base who are not already engaged in organizing work Using varied methods of recruitment by uplifting differences through tailored communication and outreach Engaging in face-to-face (physical or virtual) conversation and relationship building Leadership Development Provide clear entry points for members to move to leadership positions Clear and accessible programs for political education and meaningful engagement Continual education and agitation Strategy and Long-Term Planning Developing, using, and continually adapting a base building plan which includes goals, timelines, infrastructure, leadership, opportunities for engagement, etc. Organizing strategies with clear goals Structures that hold the leadership accountable to its base Funding Information $100,000 for 2 years ($50,000/yr). Eligibility Criteria Eligible organizations must meet the following criteria: Nonprofit organizations or tribal agencies, or groups sponsored by a nonprofit organization or tribal agencyThis grant can fund: Organizations with 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 status as determined by the IRS Federally recognized American Indian tribal government or agency Organizations that are fiscally sponsored by 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 organizations or by federally recognized tribal governments Unlike their other grants, this grant will not fund organizations which are neither incorporated nor fiscally sponsored Organizations that use community organizing as their primary strategy and do base building as described in the section above: collective power, widening the base, leadership development, and strategy and long-term planning. Organizations that are led by people who are most directly affected by the problems that the organization or project is addressing Organizations that carry out most of their work in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming. For more information, visit SJF.

This grant provides $100,000 over two years to grassroots organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming that focus on building community power and leadership among diverse groups, with a priority for those led by BIPOC and working in rural or reservation areas.

This funding opportunity provides urgent financial support to nonprofit organizations in Wayne County, Indiana, facing unexpected expenses that threaten their ability to deliver essential services.

This funding opportunity provides up to $5,000 to newer nonprofit organizations in Wayne County, Indiana, for small projects or urgent needs that address important community issues.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and initiatives that empower women and girls in Marinette County, Wisconsin, and Menominee County, Michigan.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations that implement projects aimed at improving the social and mental well-being of individuals in Rush County, Indiana.

Applications are now being accepted for the Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund Grants. Donor Name: Rhode Island Foundation State: Rhode Island County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/13/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Black Philanthropy Initiative was established as a field of interest fund at the Rhode Island Foundation. Recognizing the need to promote economic stability, job training, and financial literacy among not only historically underserved African American populations in Rhode Island, but also more recent African immigrants and refugees, in 2007 the fund was established to advance equity and social justice for the Black and African American communities. Bannister House was a nursing home for retired African American domestic workers located in Providence. When Bannister House was sold, the former board contributed the proceeds to the Black Philanthropy Initiative, and in 2016 the fund was renamed the Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund. The fund will continue to honor the original focus of Bannister House and the Black Philanthropy Initiative by supporting the most pressing needs of Rhode Island’s Black community. Core Areas  The fund gives priority to equity, education, social justice, and economic empowerment of the Black community in three core areas: Grants to community-based organizations that strive to uplift low-income Black Rhode Islanders. The programs should target financial stability, economic empowerment, and structural inequities. Programs can also support and promote the history and achievements of Blacks in Rhode Island and preserve the culture of the Black community. Priority will be given to organizations that primarily serve the Black community and are Black led. Grants to Black, community-based organizations that provide youth development and mentoring opportunities to Black youth. The programs should target educational success, avoidance of risk behaviors, and empowerment to make positive decisions and achieve higher aspirations. Youth should be supported in growth and engagement in productive interpersonal relationships to positively impact the Black community. Priority will be given to organizations that primarily serve the Black community and are Black led. Scholarship assistance for Black students who are pursuing or advancing a career in healthcare. Funding Information Requests for up to $15,000 will be considered. For more information, visit RIF.

The DC Bar Foundation is seeking applications from nonprofit legal services providers located in the District of Columbia to fund civil legal services in the categories of underserved areas, housing, and shared legal services interpreter bank through the 2025 Access to Justice (ATJ) Grants Program. Donor Name: DC Bar Foundation State: District of Columbia Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The primary purpose of the ATJ Grants Program is to fund civil legal services to District residents with low income and/or who live in underserved areas. Thus, funding will be provided: ONLY for free civil legal services; ONLY for services to District residents with low income; and ONLY for projects that address underserved areas, housing, or support a shared legal services interpreter bank in the District. DCBF defines the following terms for the purpose of determining eligibility for the ATJ Grants Program: “Civil legal services” must include the individual representation of District residents. It may also include the following: Supervision of such representation; Appellate advocacy on behalf of District residents; and Policy advocacy in the District that is associated with the representation of individual clients. “Low-income” is calculated by using the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) income limits that determine the eligibility for District residents for HUD’s assisted housing programs. “Underserved” is defined as those residents of the District of Columbia who share a common neighborhood, geographic area, language, culture, ethnicity, religion, life situation, or lack of adequate and affordable access to legal services. “District resident” is defined as any individual with a residential address in the District of Columbia. DCBF may accept an organization’s reasonable functional alternatives to this definition if DCBF determines such functional alternatives are consistent with the goal of increasing access to justice in the District for special populations, including but not limited to individuals in correctional facilities, individuals living in or fleeing from violence, and unhoused individuals. The Foundation’s Standards for Funding Standards for Organizations Funding will be provided to organizations that have systems in place that align with widely accepted industry standards for promoting quality, efficiency, and effectiveness in the delivery of civil legal aid and/or legal aid adjacent services, including methods for self-assessment to provide feedback regarding the extent to which those systems are achieving their desired purpose. A strong proposal will demonstrate the applying organization: Seeks to identify and respond to one or more of the most pressing civil legal needs of District residents with low income or who are underserved, and make legal services accessible to this population; Has systems in place to ensure appropriate supervision, training, and development of its staff, applies feedback obtained from stakeholders and clients to evaluate and improve organization effectiveness and quality; Integrates pro bono attorneys and others to supplement and increase the effectiveness of its representation and other services; Provides other services designed to increase accessibility of legal services to DC residents with low income or underserved, such as assistance with self-help strategies, legal information through its website or other channels, community legal education; and Engages with other important stakeholders working on behalf of or serving its targeted client population, such as the judiciary, government agencies, social services agencies, and community groups. Standards for Projects Funding will be provided only to projects that measure and report to DCBF their performance against stated goals with respect to legal services to be delivered, outreach and training, pro bono development, and any other activities to be funded under the requested grant. A strong proposal will demonstrate that the project: Has ambitious yet realistic goals for delivering significant amounts of legal services, as measured by the volume and type of legal services to be provided, the number of DC residents to be assisted, the number of cases to be accepted, the DC wards from which the majority of clients are anticipated, and other measures. Seeks to increase access to services to residents in underserved areas of the District, as measured by the percentage of the total proposed legal services that will be provided in areas containing the greatest concentrations of residents with low income or who are underserved. Has high goals for providing significant amounts of outreach and training, as measured by the number of outreach efforts and/or trainings that will be conducted, the number of individuals to whom outreach will be conducted, the number of trainings to be held, the number of DC residents who will attend, the volume of materials distributed (literature, website accesses, etc.), and other relevant measures. Seeks to increase engagement of pro bono attorneys and law firms in the provision of legal services to DC residents who are low income or underserved, as measured by the number of pro bono attorneys recruited, the number of attorneys trained, growth in the total number of attorneys and firms participating, and other relevant measures. Has adequate capacity for delivering the services that are proposed, as indicated by experience in providing services similar to those being proposed, related current work that will be supported or enhanced by the proposed services, and other factors. Has a high likelihood of sustainability, taking into account such factors as potential funding sources beyond DCBF, a longer-term service delivery strategy, and other factors. The Foundation’s Priorities for Funding Additionally, in allocating available funding, the Foundation will give priority to proposals that seek to address the most pressing legal needs of District residents with low income or who are underserved and make legal services accessible to this population. Proposals that address one or more of the following criteria will be given priority (all other factors being equal): Addresses underserved areas in the District, OR addresses housing-related matters, OR supports a shared legal services interpreter bank. Is likely to expand the number of DC residents who are provided legal assistance. Seeks to avoid duplication of services being provided in the District, in the same issue area, or to the same special population segments as those being proposed. Is likely to make legal assistance more accessible to DC residents. Is likely to expand pro bono participation by recruiting, training, and supervising law firm attorneys to help deliver free legal assistance to DC residents. Is likely to leverage DCBF resources by applying them strategically to expand efforts by other service providers and/or provide services that could NOT potentially be supported by other funding sources. Will test innovative approaches for achieving the above priorities. Grant Period January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Qualified recipients must: Be a not-for-profit DC corporation; Have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; Operate primarily within the District of Columbia; Be located within the District of Columbia; and Deliver civil legal services to DC residents with low income or who are underserved; or Be a nonprofit organization that meets the requirements above and supports the provision of civil legal services to DC residents with low income or who are under-served. For more information, visit DC Bar Foundation.