Search Through Business Entrepreneurship Grants in the U.S.

Mission

The DanPaul Foundation will use its resources to help train teachers and parents in early childhood development, protect children from abuse and neglect, stimulate children's personal social responsibilities, and offer them opportunities for enrichment and growth.

The Foundation will also encourage children to be concerned and informed about the environment and the underprivileged, particularly with regard to clean air and water, and adequate housing and nutrition for all.

Beliefs

The DanPaul Foundation believes that children should have ample opportunities for enrichment in their lives, and thus strives to provide many different ways to enrich and expand children's minds through direct programs and monetary support to organizations doing similar work.

We have provided or currently provide grants related to the following program areas:

• Workshops, Conferences, + Seminars: We strive to offer educational workshops, conferences, and seminars for parents and teachers on topics related to early childhood development.
• Student Scholarships: We aim to help students attending post-secondary education institutions by providing need-based and academic scholarships.
• Scientific Endeavors: We desire to advance scientific endeavors which seek to improve the quality of life for everyone in the world.
• Clean Air + Water: We hope to pass on knowledge and practical life skills to youth regarding their personal responsibility to the environment, teaching them about issues surrounding clean air and water.
• Child Advocacy: We believe in protecting children from abuse and neglect and particularly love to support programs that provide education and assistance to children as well as organizations advocating or caring for vulnerable children.
• Homelessness: We want to encourage young people to take a personal interest in seeing that adequate housing and proper nutrition, especially for the underprivileged and homeless, are available.
• Poverty + Neglect: We seek to help those in poverty as well as educate youth about their responsibility to consider the underprivileged and take care of those most in need of life's basic essentials like adequate housing and proper nutrition.
• Refugee Enrichment: We wish to help refugee youth by supporting programs that provide them enrichment and help them transition to life in a new country.

The DanPaul Foundation provides grants to 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organizations as defined by the IRS. The Foundation is interested in providing funding to programs that directly serve the health, education, development, and welfare of the world's youth.

Grants range from a few hundred dollars up to $15,000 per calendar year.

Background

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation seeks to dramatically improve the lives of underserved communities across the globe by supporting scalable, innovative, and impact-first solutions that leverage existing systems and stakeholders. Our goal is to find social entrepreneurs with dynamic products or services that have a proven ability to positively impact the lives of underserved people, and nurture those organizations at the early stages by providing capacity, capital, and community.

Our application process is designed to be open and accessible, and we accept applications year round from across our priority geographies and sectors. Borrowing from our venture capital legacy, we find exceptional entrepreneurs and provide them with: 

Capacity

• The core of DRK’s model is deep and extensive operational and technical support for each portfolio organization, both through dedicated hands-on Board service and specialist capacity-building resources for fundraising, board and organizational development, leadership, financial support, and scaling strategy,

Capital

• DRK provides up to $300,000 USD in either unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period, and

Community

• DRK convenes our portfolio and alumni annually, facilitating connections and community. 

What We Fund

DRK Foundation funds early-stage social impact organizations solving the world’s biggest social and environmental problems using bold, scalable approaches.

What stage of growth does DRK Foundation typically fund?

Early stage: Organizations who are early stage, which we define as post-pilot and pre-scale. This typically means: 

• Your program, product or service is already being used in the market or in the field, 
• You have early indication that your model is having its intended impact on the beneficiary populations,
• Your organization is relatively young (ideally between two and five years old, although we will consider both younger and older organizations).

Venture funding: In the case of for profits, we typically support Seed to Series A organizations, and never lead rounds; we also generally but not exclusively refrain from participating in financings exceeding a $15M USD post-money valuation.  

Etsy Uplift Fund 

We know that entrepreneurship is an important and fulfilling pathway to economic independence for creators, who can use their unique talents to build successful small and micro businesses.

But many communities face significant barriers to entrepreneurship, including:

• lack of digital education and training
• access to capital
• insufficient access to benefits like health insurance and paid leave

That’s why Etsy launched the Uplift Fund at Brooklyn Org to support nonprofits that work to dismantle these barriers and foster equal opportunities to creative entrepreneurship. Program beneficiaries need not sell goods on Etsy today, though, of course, we hope that over time they will choose to build their businesses online and on our marketplace.

Etsy customers in the US can round up their USD purchases at check out from shops using Etsy Payments to donate to the Uplift Fund. These buyer-donated funds, in addition to separate direct grants from Etsy, are distributed to nonprofit organizations that are directly working with creators who need support building businesses.

Global Impact Cash Grants

Identifying and incubating innovative early-stage solutions. We identify, incubate, and develop innovative early-stage solutions with the highest potential for impact. Global Impact Cash Grants go to nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that address a significant social problem. We're looking for programs that fit within our investment sectors, focus on the underserved, and use technology to improve the reach and efficiency of services.

We accept applications year-round from eligible organizations. A brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is used to determine whether your organization will be invited to complete a full application. Please expand and carefully review each of the three sections below to learn more

Our priority social impact sectors

We focus on investing in innovative, tech-enabled solutions to the challenges and opportunities that matter most to communities in need, prioritizing four social impact sectors:

Cisco Crisis Response

Mobilizing to provide essentials to communities in need and those in crisis, including food, housing, secure connectivity, and disaster relief

By leveraging Cisco’s people, technology, financial resources, and strategic partnerships, we help strengthen community resilience and drive long-term recovery from crises.

Education

Supporting students, teachers, and schools by increasing engagement, building skills, promoting subject mastery, and expanding their capacity to thrive

Cisco is committed to inclusive access to digital skills training and supporting those who use technology to educate. Through programs like Cisco Networking Academy and social investments in education, we create new opportunities for individuals to thrive.

Economic Empowerment

Transforming communities through skill development, long-term career opportunities, entrepreneurship, and access to financial products and services

Strategic grants that unlock economic prosperity and growth for individuals and communities.

Climate Regeneration

Building an inclusive, regenerative, and resilient climate future through education, regenerative agriculture, conservation, protection, and clean energy solutions

Our efforts began in 2021, when the Cisco Foundation committed US$100 million over 10 years to fund nonprofit grants and impact investing in climate solutions. 

Community Grants

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We are committed to auto and home safety programs and activities that help people manage the risks of everyday life.
• We invest in education, economic empowerment and community development projects, programs and services that help people realize their dreams.
• We help maintain the vibrancy of our communities by assisting nonprofits that support community revitalization.

Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants focus on safety, community development and education.

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

We strive to keep our customers and communities safe. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Auto safety — improving driver, passenger, vehicle or roadway safety
• Home safety — shielding homes from fires, crime or natural disasters
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation
• Disaster recovery

Community Development

We support nonprofits that invest and develop stronger neighborhoods. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Affordable housing — home construction and repair
• Commercial/small business development
• Job training
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Financial literacy
• Sustainable housing and transportation
• Food insecurity

Education

Our education funding is directed toward initiatives that support the following programs:

• Higher education
• K-12 academic performance
• K-12 STEM
• Pathways for college and career success

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Social Service Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund direct-service organizations that tackle the roots of chronic poverty by applying effective solutions to the most challenging social and economic problems. The Foundations prioritize supporting programs that have proven successful in facilitating economic independence and in strengthening families. Preference is also given to programs with the potential to scale productive practices in order to reach more people in need.

Funding Priorities in Social Service

In the recent past, 15% of total funding has been allocated to Social Service. Organizations with budgets over $5 million have received 60% of funding in Social Service.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted for new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and general support

Funding

Minimum grant size is $100,000.

Indigenous Peoples

The idea that underpins Foundation programs in this area is that we strive to catalyze economic development by investing in entrepreneurship and business education and investing in capacity building for business and entrepreneurship in Indigenous communities. The Foundation has 30 years of experience with programs that work to give life to this idea.

Since 1992 our Entrepreneurship Scholarship program has provided scholarships to Indigenous students who study business or entrepreneurship. We invest about $500,000 annually on scholarships and another $100,000 to $500,000 on endowment building. The program began with students at tribal colleges, but the Foundation now funds Indigenous students at other institutions as well. Those institutions have a high number of Indigenous students and graduates.

In 2001 the Foundation requested that Gonzaga University develop an MBA in American Indian Entrepreneurship, and the Foundation provided full-ride scholarships for Indigenous students to attend. Since its inception, the program has produced more than 80 graduates. We know of no comparable program in the country.

The Foundation also has made capacity-building grants to aid the establishment of business and entrepreneurship training in Indigenous communities. Grant recipients include American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL), Capital for Aboriginal Prosperity through Entrepreneurship (CAPE) Fund, Lakota Funds, and the Native CDFI network. The expectation is that these will complement our investments in education by enhancing the conditions and opportunities for entrepreneurs and business owners.

JSF Grant Making Strategy

JSF makes grants to organizations that help people overcome barriers to education and employment. Addressing these barriers enables them to graduate and find good jobs, thereby contributing to and enriching their communities.

JSF assists people indirectly by making grants to schools, universities, and non-profits, and funds initiatives such as scholarships, mentoring, tutoring and internships. Grants are focused on three areas: individuals with disabilities, individuals with financial need, and Indigenous peoples.

About Us

The Lemelson Foundation was established by Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson in 1992 with the vision of cultivating future generations of inventors to create a better world. After twenty-five years of giving, the Foundation continues to be led by the Lemelson family. To date we have provided more than $300 million in support of our mission.

Lemelson Foundation Grant

The Lemelson Foundation invests in helping young people become inventors and in helping inventors change the world. To spur invention in the 21st century, we fund programs and projects in invention education and entrepreneurship as the solutions to a better future.

Our Initiatives:

• Education - Developing STEM-based, invention education
• Entrepreneurship - Supporting ecosystems for invention-based businesses from incubation to market
• Ecosystems - Fostering regional invention ecosystems for stronger economies
• Climate - Leveraging the tools of invention and innovation to improve our climate

Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Grants

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation only accepts unsolicited proposals for specific areas within the education, family economic stability and childhood health sectors in select countries where we work, namely the United States, India and South Africa.

As a guideline, the foundation does not fund more than 25% of a project’s budget or more than 10% of an organization’s total annual operating expenses.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has always recognized the power of providing grants to partner organizations that we knew were already working hard to improve the lives of urban children living in poverty. By aligning with organizations that are already making a difference, we continue to make an immediate impact on the lives of thousands of children.

Foundation priorities:

We fund social enterprises that directly serve or impact children or youth from urban low-income communities in the areas of education, health, and family economic stability (including livelihoods and financial inclusion). These social enterprises may be structured as for-profit or nonprofit entities.

Partnerships

We collaborate with a range of organizations focused on creating opportunities for children and families living in urban poverty, with a deep emphasis on measuring impact. Our funding advances projects already making an impact in education, health, and family economic stability. Through these enduring and long-standing partnerships, we create lasting change together.

Background

Qurate Retail Group’s Global Impact team seeks to embed inclusion, sustainability, and social responsibility into all aspects of our business. Our strategy is to inspire a more sustainable way to retail by sparking actions that accelerate business growth and positively impact team members, customers, communities, business partners, and the planet. This strategy prioritizes actions in three key areas that the company’s stakeholders have deemed to be important, and where the company believes it can deliver the largest impact:

• Protecting Our Environment to reduce our impact on the climate and ecosystems
• Championing Empowerment and Belonging to include everyone in the future of retail
• Curating Product Responsibly to ensure that what we sell respects people and planet

As we work to advance our strategy, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of business ethics, customer service and privacy, and product safety and quality. We hold ourselves accountable by setting public goals and striving for continuous improvement by empowering team members to find innovative solutions.

Community & Social Impact

We invest in the causes that promote the health and wealth of women around the world, enabling and unlocking the full potential of women to thrive in all aspects of life.

Our Strategy & Commitments

We believe that an empowered woman is a powerful woman.

At Qurate Retail Group, we are committed to the well-being of women and opportunities that empower them to be their best selves.

We invest in the causes that promote the health and wealth of women around the world, enabling and unlocking the full potential of women to thrive in all aspects of life. By promoting the well-being and economic empowerment of women, we can help to foster greater gender equality and advance more inclusive and prosperous societies. Women’s empowerment is not only a human rights issue, but it is also a smart investment in our collective future.

Through our corporate philanthropy, cause marketing and team member giving and volunteering, we aim to deliver measurable and differentiated social and community impact. 

Our Strategic Focus Areas

Despite a near-even worldwide gender distribution, disparities between men and women in wealth, representation, and health care access persist. Qurate Retail Group’s Together for Good initiative seeks to bridge these gaps by empowering women globally. In any given year, we seek to focus 60% of our direct and in-kind contributions to causes that support key health issues facing women today, as well as remove barriers to improving their financial security.

Health ( Physical, Mental and Social Well-being)

Improve health outcomes by providing women with the knowledge, resources and support they need to make informed decisions concerning their health & well-being.

Focus Areas

• Promoting equitable access to quality healthcare and preventative services for early cancer detection and heart disease
• Increasing menopause awareness and support to improve perceptions and highlight the importance of self-care
• Addressing social and economic determinants of health that disproportionately affect women (e.g. gender-based violence)

Wealth ( Economic opportunities, Independence and Prosperity)

Break the cycle of economic inequality by removing barriers to help unlock the earning potential of women.

• Supporting women's entrepreneurship and small business, particularly from underserved communities
• Investing in career/leadership development & training programs that prepare and support women for meaningful jobs and careers (including in emerging industries

Rise for Education Grant Program

Hydroponic Classroom Gardens for STEM Education & Nutrition

Bring real-world learning into your classroom with a hydroponic garden that sparks curiosity, strengthens STEM and nutrition education, and makes hands-on science simple, engaging, and accessible—all year long.

• Integration STEM/STEAM: Use garden-based lessons to enhance STEM, arts, and creativity.
• NGSS Alignment: Incorporate NGSS lessons for practical science and engineering.
• Learn Hard Skills: Develop practical skills with hands-on gardening.
• Entrepreneurship: Build business skills with projects like Farmer's Markets and product sales.
• Community Building: Foster community and collaboration through shared gardening responsibilities and projects.
• Enhaced Student Engagement: Boost student involvement and performance with engaging learning.

Mission

Driven by a philanthropic calling to support marginalized communities throughout the world, the Semnani Family Foundation partners with on-the-ground organizations and leverages its resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner that delivers the maximum benefit.

History

Guided by his grandmother Maliheh’s example and teachings, Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh established the Semnani Family Foundation in 1993. The foundation’s first grant was issued through CARE International to an orphanage in Romania that cared for newborns affected by HIV. Over the last few decades, the foundation has continued to build upon its mission to empower the disaffected, partnering with a variety of organizations in different countries who can make the greatest impact.

In addition to its global influence, the Semnani Family Foundation established roots within the state of Utah with the founding of Maliheh Free Clinic in 2005 to provide free healthcare to thousands of uninsured people in the Salt Lake City area.

Where We Work

The Semnani Family Foundation focuses primarily on promoting health, education, and disaster relief for marginalized communities all around the world. Driven by a clear mission to adapt and serve at the global level, we have leveraged our resources to make a meaningful impact in the following countries so far:

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia
• Colombia
• England
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• India
• Iran
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Romania
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Uganda
• United States
• Yemen

At the heart of the Foundation lies a fervent commitment to human welfare, always prioritizing health and the needs of society’s most vulnerable.

We have strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country that are working to advance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities. Our focus areas include basic needs like food and housing, workforce development and education, and community development. In addition to our philanthropic investments, we also encourage our employees to make a difference by offering robust employee giving and volunteering programs, including the opportunity to direct funds to organizations they support through volunteer efforts, and a matching gifts program that doubles their individual giving to causes they care about. Last year, we invested $350 million in the communities we serve, and employees contributed more than 1 million volunteer hours and directed $65 million through individual giving and matching gifts to support nonprofits.Through our regional U.S. sponsorships, we support the economic, social and cultural life of the places we live and work. We provide an extensive program of arts and sports sponsorships to help maintain vibrant, healthy communities.Sponsorships supporting communitiesBank of America welcomes your sponsorship proposal for opportunities that make our communities a better place to live and work. We are particularly interested in providing support to address needs vital to the health of our communities through a focus on:

• preserving neighborhoods;
• educating the workforce for 21st century jobs;
• addressing critical needs such as hunger and emergency shelter;
• arts and culture;
• the environment; and
• diversity and inclusion programs.

Grants are made at the Foundation’s discretion based on our current funding strategies focused on housing, jobs and hunger. 

Mission

At the Nasdaq Foundation, our mission is to:

• Reimagine investor engagement to equip under-represented communities with the financial knowledge and tools to share in the wealth that markets create; and
• Leverage the Foundation’s investment in the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, alongside new strategic partnerships with organizations that can help build a deeper, data-led understanding where the challenges are greatest, what existing efforts could be amplified, and how the Foundation can make new and distinctive contributions.

Quarterly Grant Program

As we strive to accelerate progress in diversifying entrepreneurship and empowering a more diverse group of investors, the Nasdaq Foundation will accept grant requests for programs that align with our mission.

Areas of Focus

We use our resources in two areas of focus:

• Programs designed to empower diverse investors with the financial knowledge and confidence they need to share in the wealth that markets can create.
• Programs designed to support women and under-represented minority communities with the resources needed to grow and sustain their businesses.

Program Criteria:

Empower-Financial Knowledge And Confidence

Empower diverse investors with the financial knowledge and confidence they need to share in the wealth that markets can create.

Grants will be given in this area to organizations and programs which deliver impact in one or more of the following ways:

• Enhance financial literacy among women and under-represented communities
• Improve access to knowledge and tools among women and underrepresented communities

Support diverse entrepreneurs with the resources to strengthen and scale their businesses and contribute to the prosperity of society.

Grants will be given in this area to organizations and programs which deliver impact in one or more of the following ways:

• Equip women and diverse founders with mentoring and resources
• Improve access to capital for women and diverse founders

Amounts and Terms

There is no set minimum or maximum grant amount, though the average size of a grant made by the Foundation is $75,000. The Nasdaq Foundation’s Leadership Team will consider whether the amount requested is commensurate with the project proposed and appropriate for the Nasdaq Foundation’s annual grant making target and charitable purposes.

Reasonable overhead costs may be included in the grant request but must be specified.

Unless otherwise specified and agreed upon, all grants have one-year terms. Under very limited circumstances, the Nasdaq Foundation will make a multiple-year commitment. It is incumbent upon the grant seeker to demonstrate the necessity or benefit of multiple-year funding in the grant proposal.

There is no limit as to the number of proposals a single entity may submit at one time.

Our Impact

Boundless Futures Foundation empowers, embraces, and elevates female entrepreneurs through grants to new businesses and to likeminded nonprofits.

Boundless Futures Foundation’s grants to businesses are awarded directly to female entrepreneurs who put social impact front and center in their business products or practices. We look at a society’s biggest issues and believe in the power of entrepreneurs to provide solutions by going above and beyond “business as usual” to create impact through profit and purpose — to solve a problem, improve on the status quo, or give back in an intentional way.

Grant-eligible entrepreneurs demonstrate clear and consistent commitment to creating positive change through businesses with ambitious and effective social reach. These businesses address issues related to:

• Poverty & Hunger
• Sustainability & the Environment
• Strong Communities

Past grantees illustrate the kinds of powerful businesses and visionary entrepreneurs Boundless Futures Foundation supports.

Grants are also awarded to mission-aligned nonprofits that provide women with skills and resources to start and sustain businesses through entrepreneurship-focused programs or services.

We’ve seen the statistics, and we are proud to join the effort to reduce barriers for women to thrive as entrepreneurs. We have also been a part of those statistics: we know, firsthand, that female entrepreneurs benefit from capital, expertise, and education. Our grants reflect our commitment to meeting those needs. We amplify our impact by supporting female-founded business that do good by doing well.

Her Village Grants

Her Village grants awarded to qualifying nonprofit organizations support work that advances and strengthens entrepreneurial skills, resources, ecosystems, and educational opportunities for girls and women. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $30,000. Our grantmaking to nonprofits is founded in the belief that, equipped with support, skills, and capital, female entrepreneurs can have a boundless impact in society.

Funding

Applicant organizations may request up to $30,000 in support.

How and Why Giving Back to Communities is Important to O’Reilly

From O’Reilly Auto Parts’ inception, O’Reilly co-founder C.H. “Chub” O’Reilly instilled the culture of maintaining high standards for every endeavor, including the area of building civic pride. With Chub’s good example to guide them, all four of his children adopted a business and family philosophy of “giving back” to the community as the Company grew and prospered. Supporting a large number of charitable organizations in all communities in which we operate has long been a focal point for O’Reilly Auto Parts. In order to make an even greater impact, the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation was established in 2020.

O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, Inc.

Impact

The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation complements O’Reilly Auto Parts’ role as the Friendliest Parts Store in Town. The Foundation serves as an additional conduit to connect with, support, and strengthen the communities in which O’Reilly Auto Parts’ team members and customers live and work. The Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of the O’Reilly family as dependable community partners, seeking to support critical services in times of need to build stronger communities.

Mission

The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation strives to have a lasting, positive impact in the communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts’ team members and customers live and work by supporting organizations and programs which address issues critical to improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented individuals and families. In particular, the Foundation will concentrate its giving in support of organizations and programs addressing economic stability and mobility, workforce development, health and social services, and disaster relief.

Economic Stability and Mobility

Advocating for and endowing programs which provide assistance with issues including hunger, homelessness, and poverty for the economic betterment of the communities in which we operate.

Workforce Development

Promoting programs which aid in workforce readiness, technical training, and literacy, including children’s literacy, to ensure the continuance of an educated society and a capable, innovative workforce.

Health and Social Services

Championing and prioritizing matters of health, including mental and behavioral health, access to basic needs such as medical and dental care for underprivileged communities, and providing funding for organizations focused on childhood development and children’s advocacy as well as care and support for victims of domestic violence.

Disaster Relief

Providing funding and visibility to organizations specializing in providing relief from natural disasters and state of emergency, including providing temporary shelter, food, water, and hygiene or sanitation products to those affected and aiding in cleanup efforts.

Application Requirements

We will consider three principal types of grants:

Project Support Grants support specific projects or programs aligned with our mission. These requests may include some funds earmarked for the overhead costs associated with running a project.

General Operating Support Grants provide limited general operating support for the core operations or organizations whose missions and activities are aligned with our mission. These grants will often help the grantee build organizational, programmatic, and fundraising capacity. Operating support is not intended to help organizations in fiscal crisis. Applicants must have a current strategic or business plan that clearly outlines the organization’s goals and presents a plan for achieving results. Operating support grants must not exceed 15% of an organization’s total agency budget.

Capital Support Grants provide limited support for capital campaigns to fund the acquisition and construction of facilities, existing property renovation, or the purchase of major equipment. The program has a comprehensive approach to funding capital initiatives, which also includes funding for increased program capacity. A feasibility study may be required for capital initiatives to be considered.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation focused on making grants to support environmental, human services and other causes.

The Lawrence Foundation was established in mid-2000. We make both program and operating grants and do not have any geographical restrictions on our grants. Nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or other similar organizations are eligible for grants from The Lawrence Foundation.  

Grant Amount and Types

Grants typically range between $5,000 - $10,000. In some limited cases we may make larger grants, but that is typically after we have gotten to know your organization over a period of time. We also generally don’t make multi-year grants, although we may fund the same organization on a year by year basis over a period of years.

General operating or program/project grant requests within our areas of interests are accepted. In general, regardless of whether a grant request is for general operating or program/project expenses, all of our grants will be issued as unrestricted grants.

True Inspiration Awards

The True Inspiration Awards® program was created in 2015 to honor the legacy of Chick-fil-A® founder S. Truett Cathy. Through these annual grants, it is our pleasure to celebrate and support nonprofit organizations making an impact in their local communities.

S. Truett Cathy Honoree

One organization will be selected as the S. Truett Cathy Honoree. The S. Truett Cathy Honoree embodies the generous, innovative spirit of Chick-fil-A’s late founder — pioneering new ways to solve problems and serve others.

Category winners

In 2025 we will continue to support nonprofits with a total commitment of $6 million in grants ranging from $30,000-$350,000.

Sixteen organizations will be awarded for their work in these areas.

Caring for People (four winners): Programs or projects supporting educational initiatives, including fostering character and leadership development, academic excellence and community involvement in underserved youth.

Caring through Food (four winners): Programs or projects focused on addressing hunger and food insecurity facing children and their families.

Community (four winners): Programs or projects focused on providing housing and other direct services to support young people and their families.

Caring for our Planet (four winners): Programs or projects that show care for our environment and our planet, or that demonstrate environmental stewardship through initiatives directly related to our other True Inspiration Awards categories of food, community and people (i.e., community beautification, education opportunities, community gardens, outdoor classrooms, etc.) 

Calling to Serve

Since its inception in 2016, the Robinson Foundation has sought to demonstrate God’s love through sharing the gifts we have received. We understand the often unspoken hardships and struggles that people in and outside of our community face everyday. As such, our contributions are focused on relieving these hardships for the betterment of our world.

As a family-operated foundation, we pray that our small efforts will not only create immediate change in the lives of our neighbors, but will help set those lives on a course for success in the future. We are thankful for each and every day we have on this earth to use what God has granted us to make a difference.

Areas of Interest

• Animal Welfare
• Children & Families
• Disaster Relief
• Education
• Medical Assistance
• Nature & Wildlife Conservation
• Poverty Relief
• Religious & Spiritual Endeavors
• Veterans' Issues

Grant Considerations

We take many different aspects of applications into account when making grant issuing decisions, however these are some of the high-level questions we ask ourselves during the process:

• How does the organization serve their key audience goals?
• Is the organization fiscally responsible?
• Will a grant have a tangible, meaningful impact?
• Will we see direct results from this grant?
• Does the organization have other financial contributors?

About

How do we achieve universal access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene by 2030?

Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene are basic human rights and essential for public health and economic prosperity. Yet, progress towards SDG 6 is off-track. 2.2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water, and half of the world’s population face severe water scarcity for at least part of the year

• Additionally, 3.5 billion people lack access to safely managed sanitation while 419 million still practice open defecation. According to UNICEF, almost half of schools worldwide lack handwashing facilities with water and soap, affecting 802 million children
• Such limitations lead to wider spread of serious diseases such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the leading causes of death for young children under 5 around the world. Meeting SDG 6 targets by 2030 requires a 4x increase in pace of progress.

Reckitt has time and again reinstated its commitment towards SDG 6 by working tirelessly with local communities, social enterprises, government, NGOs and various charitable organizations around the world to improve access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene. Through Reckitt’s partnership with Water.org, over 2.4 million people now have access to clean water or sanitation in their homes. In 2024, school programmes, like the Dettol Hygiene Quest have brought high-quality hygiene education to 24.5 million children in more than 15 countries, reducing water-borne diseases and absenteeism.

Reckitt believes social entrepreneurship has a powerful role to play in solving the world’s greatest challenges. With a portfolio of over 60 entrepreneurs, Reckitt acts as a catalyst working with expert partners like Yunus Social Business and Health Innovation Exchange to scale pioneering solutions and build sustainable business models.

Reckitt is proud to have supported the Lead2030 SDG6 challenge since 2019, working with 11 WASH entrepreneurs to date. We want to build on this success in 2025, by supporting innovations that create measurable impact by enabling access to clean water, sanitation or hygiene, and are particularly interested in innovations with a focus on children or women/girls.

The focus of this challenge is not limited to providing equitable access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene facilities but to also creating a sustainable ecosystem that ensures, year after year, continuous development and increasing awareness.

Whilst Reckitt are interested to receive applications that target at a wide range of areas within WASH, there is a particular interest in hearing about innovations that do either of the following:

• Make innovative use of digital technology and AI to reach more people and enable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene on a wide scale
• Promote good hand hygiene practices and reduce water-borne diseases
• Help us tackle WASH related challenges in our value chain supporting Reckitt's Water positive agenda e.g. water recycling and reuse at factories

Challenge crtieria

Aligned: Evidently aligned with the SDG6 indicators.

Youth-led: Founded by a person aged 18 – 30.

Focused: Clear implementation and scale-up plan, identified key stakeholders and beneficiaries, and proposed outcomes that are reasonable and well thought out.

Proven: Solution is readily available, being piloted, implemented, or scaled.

Impactful: Solutions must have a positive social impact, for example, promoting health, generating educational outcomes, or employment opportunities.

Measurable: Solution’s impact in society must be adequately measured.

Financially viable: Must be able to achieve efficiency and to survive independently through the resources they generate and/or the investments and donations they attract.

Scalable: Potential to grow impact after expanding in scope or size and/or into other regions.

Prize

 The winning solution will receive:

• Sponsorship to participate in the One Young World Summit 2025.
• A US$50,000 grant from Reckitt.
• 12 months of mentorship from a team of Reckitt professionals. The mentorship team will work to accelerate your solution based on the needs of your initiative or organisation.

Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.

Each year, the Mutual of America Foundation sponsors a national competition in which hundreds of organizations demonstrate the value of their partnership to the communities they serve, their ability to be replicated by others and their capacity to stimulate new approaches to addressing significant social issues.

Six organizations are selected by an independent committee to receive the Community Partnership Award.

• The Thomas J. Moran Award is given to the national award-winning program and includes $100,000 and a documentary video about the program.
• The Frances R. Hesselbein Award is given to a partnership that is addressing social challenges in more than one community, or which demonstrates the potential to be replicated in other communities. This recipient receives $75,000.
• Four other organizations are named Honorable Mention recipients for their programs, and each receives $50,000.

Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 262 partnerships from cities and towns across America. Like so many of our clients working in the nonprofit community, Mutual of America is dedicated to having a direct, positive impact on society.

About First Nations Development Institute

Since 1980, First Nations Development Institute, a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has worked to strengthen American Indian economies to support healthy Native communities. First Nations invests in and creates innovative institutions and models that strengthen asset control and support economic development for American Indian people and their communities. Founded in 1980, First Nations began its national grantmaking program in 1993. Through mid-year 2024, First Nations has successfully managed 3,473 grants totaling $85 million to Native American projects and organizations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territory American Samoa.

The Native Farmer Professional Cohort is facilitated in partnership with two First Nations programs, Stewarding Native Lands and Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments.

Native Farmer Professional Cohort 

The First Nations’ Native Farmer Professional Cohort aims to strengthen the farming and land stewardship skills of 12 Native farmers and support them in accessing resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS). The focus of the Native Farmer Professional Cohort is to improve soil health, water quality, local food systems, and land stewardship in alignment with Native values. Participants will learn about conservation planning, business planning, Native agricultural traditions, and natural resource management.

The cohort is a 12-month enrichment opportunity designed to support knowledge-sharing and networking among Native farmers. The cohort includes virtual webinars, fieldwork, and three in-person training sessions. Participants must also complete a project evaluation and submit a one-page reflection at the program’s conclusion. By the end of the 12-month program, participants will:

• Deepen their understanding of traditional land stewardship practices to improve Tribal lands.
• Receive three specialized trainings on conservation and business planning.
• Establish a peer network with Native beginning farmers.

First Nations seeks applicants who are:

• Committed to participating in the cohort for the 12-month cohort period.
• Committed to implementing stewardship initiatives aligned with cultural values.
• Interested in developing their management and leadership skills and learning more about traditional land stewardship practices.

Award stipends are intended to support the participation of selected Native farmers in the cohort activities. In addition, participants will receive individualized technical assistance to deepen their work and boost farming, ranching, and conservation operations. Travel and other costs for participation in the cohort are covered by First Nations.

Gupta Family Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, USA. Our mission is to support organizations that provide focused intervention in the lives of people who have been disadvantaged in some way to help them become self-reliant. We take a very broad view of “disadvantage” to include anything that holds a person back from realizing their potential, such as poverty, physical or mental disability, social alienation, etc. The foundation also supports relief agencies that serve people affected by emergencies such as natural disasters.

The foundation evaluates and awards annual and multi-year grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000 (USD). Our focus is on funding smaller organizations all around the world that are led by individuals with a deep personal commitment to their missions. 

Our selection criteria include:

• Mission alignment
• The organization is run by the founder or, if not, by a successor who embodies the original inspiration, passion and commitment of the founder.
• At least 90% of grant monies reaches the intended beneficiaries.
• The organization is non-sectarian, i.e.,
  • It does not, directly or indirectly, support or condone the proselytization of any religion,
  • It is not supported by or affiliated to a religious organization.

Our Mission

The Hansen Family Foundation provides opportunities to domestic, international, secular, and non-secular organizations that support the American way of life, which is defined by the principles of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” 

Causes

Children

The Hansen Family Foundation supports causes dedicated to helping children both home as well as abroad. Learn More

Education

The Hansen Family Foundation believes that a decent education should be made available to everyone, young or old, the world over. Learn More

Animals

The Hansen Family Foundation believes in helping those who cannot speak on their own behalf. Learn More

Environmental

The Hansen Family Foundation is dedicated to preserving the world we all share. Learn More

Humanitarian

The Hansen Family Foundation views the plight of our fellow man as an opportunity to actively engage and effect change. Learn More

Arts & Culture

The Hansen Family Foundation supports all forms of artistic and cultural endeavors. Learn More

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Vision

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation, "A Foundation for All", was established in 2002. It was begun in order to give a clear voice for those who wish to be a part of the many, worthy, forces for change in our world.

We are a foundation whose purpose is to look ahead towards the future, giving the past its due by remembering where we came from, and how much we can all accomplish together. We aim to make the critical difference on our planet by recognizing and having respect for our ever changing world. We respect all Life, the Environment, and all People, no matter who they are.

What is 100x...?

100x Impact Accelerator is a world-leading impact accelerator, based at the London School of Economics. Our goal is to create cohorts of social unicorns driving positive social change around the world - at scale.

We have built 100x on a set of values that embrace ambition, humility, rigour, and trust. We believe in entrepreneurs that take risk, stay curious, and prioritise their mission. We like evidence based solutions where end customers and constituents find real value in the products or services they are accessing. And most of all, we know your work is some of the hardest work in the world. That’s why we believe in empathy – making sure you have people by your side who can support you on your journey and have been in your shoes before.

What we are looking for

100x is looking for the next generation of social unicorns - organisations affecting positive change on the scale of billions. We are looking for radical thinkers, the visionaries and the entrepreneurs who crave a new, better world.

Impact Areas

• Climate and Environment
  • We recognise that the world is facing unprecedented environmental challenges.
  • We aim to support and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that address these challenges and promote environmental sustainability.
  • We believe that entrepreneurship and innovation are key drivers of environmental progress.
  • This is why we work with passionate and visionary entrepreneurs who are developing solutions that reduce environmental impact, promote resource efficiency, and create sustainable value for all stakeholders.
  • Our goal is to shape a planet where humans thrive, economies develop, and the environment prospers.
• Democracy
  • We believe that social movements and interventions are fundamental to shaping healthy democratic systems and that strong and inclusive democracies are essential for promoting human rights, social justice, and sustainable development.
  • Our goal is to support and accelerate the growth of innovative solutions that strengthen democracy and promote citizen participation.
  • We believe that access to information, civic education, and inclusive political processes are critical for promoting democracy and ensuring that all voices are heard.
  • At 100x, we aim to help ventures build scalable, impactful businesses that can transform how citizens engage with politics and hold their leaders accountable
• Happiness and Wellbeing
  • We believe that a thriving society must prioritise the well-being of its people.
  • We recognise that happiness and well-being are not just individual concerns but also significantly impact social and economic outcomes.
  • Our goal is to support and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that promote happiness, mental health, and well-being.
  • We believe that access to quality mental health resources, community support, and healthy lifestyle choices are essential for promoting overall well-being.
  • There are social enterprises redefining how wellness works - for all, not just a few, and we're determined to accelerate the impact of those making huge strides towards a happier society.
• Education
  • Education is a powerful tool for creating positive change in the world.
  • Our goal is to support and accelerate the development of innovative education solutions that have the potential to transform the way people learn and acquire skills.
  • We believe there are social enterprises creating bold solutions that level the education playing field.
  • At 100x, we want to partner with these ventures and skyrocket their impact; fundamentally transforming education systems for students, families, and teachers around the world.
• Equitable Economies
  • We recognise that the current economic system is not working for everyone.
  • We believe that a more equitable economy is not only possible but essential for creating a sustainable and just future.
  • Our goal is to support and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that promote economic equity and empowerment, particularly for marginalised communities.
  • We believe that radical thinkers are the key to replacing broken economic models.
  • At 100x, we're searching for social ventures who are proving that fair and inclusive economic systems are not only possible but scalable.
• Health and Social Care
  • Healthcare systems around the world are facing significant challenges, including rising costs, inadequate access, and poor-quality care.
  • Our goal is to support and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that improve health outcomes, promote wellness, and increase access to healthcare and social services.
  • We believe there are social enterprises creating scalable solutions to improve population health, and we want to partner with these ventures that share our vision of driving radical social change in this area.
• New Frontiers
  • We believe that disruptive innovation and emerging technologies can potentially transform the world in unprecedented ways.
  • New frontiers in science, technology, and entrepreneurship are opening up new opportunities for addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges.
  • Our goal is to support and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that leverage cutting-edge technologies and disruptive business models to create positive impact at scale.
  • 100x aims to work with passionate and visionary entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible and disrupting the status quo by helping them to build scalable impactful businesses that can transform industries and create new markets.
• Refugees and Cohesion
  • We recognise that the displacement of people due to conflict, persecution, and natural disasters is a major global challenge that requires urgent attention.
  • We believe that promoting social cohesion, inclusion, and integration is critical for creating a more just and peaceful world.
  • We aim to support and accelerate the development of innovative solutions that promote the integration and wellbeing of refugees and host communities.
  • We know there are passionate and visionary entrepreneurs who are committed to creating sustainable solutions that address the needs of refugees and host communities.
  • We want to help them build scalable, impactful businesses that can transform how refugees are supported and integrated into their new communities.

Selection Criteria

100x is looking for the next generation of social unicorns - organisations affecting positive change on the scale of billions. Our selection process is rooted in a holistic evaluation of both the people and the model. Here are the key criteria we consider:

• Outstanding Leadership
  • We want to back social entrepreneurs who demonstrate grit, potential for growth and ambition for the future
• Addressable Impact
  • Identified and evidenced impact opportunity that is sizeable and can create system level change
• Established Proof-of-Concept
  • Developed and delivered a model with evidence to suggest it is the ‘right solution'
• High Velocity of Change
  • Growing traction and there is a sense of solution being on the precipice for explosive growth
• Distinctiveness of Solution
  • A quality or feature that is impressive, rare and novel
• Cohort Fit
  • Alignment with our programme offerings, cohesiveness across the portfolio, and willingness to be an ambassador for 100x

Through these criteria, we aim to select ventures that not only have innovative solutions but also leaders deeply committed to driving positive social and environmental change. We value proximity to communities, inclusive approaches, and the capacity to affect systematic transformation.

We aim to have 70% of our portfolio to come from emerging markets and value applications where founders and/or senior team members be based in the region the organisation operates in.

We want to back organisations that are female-led, have considered gender in their product or service designs, and reflect a global market of leaders.

What We Offer

Our funding is flexible, impact-first, unrestricted, and based on trust. We offer catalytic grants and repayable grants to charities and social enterprises. Upon completion of the 100x accelerator programme, if your organisation has achieved extraordinary and outsized impact, you may be eligible for our follow-on funding.

Our programme is hybrid and spans 12 weeks. Two leaders (including at least one Founder and/or C-Suite member) from your organisation must be able to attend two sponsored trips to London at the start and end of the programme. Each trip will last no more than 3-5 days. 100x will cover reasonable transit and visa costs. You will also be expected to participate virtually for the rest of the programme. Please note, that the 100x Impact Accelerator programme is delivered in English, and you must have a reliable internet connection. If this is an issue, we offer a small stipend to support internet access so that you can fully engage in the programme.

• £150,000 in catalytic capital
• 12 Weeks Impact Accelerator programme
• World-Class support and bespoke mentors
• Cohorts of like-minded social entrepreneurs
• Summit Day celebrating and connecting ventures
• Alumni Membership long-term access to our community