Grants for Grassroots Organizations
Grants for Grassroots Organizations in the United States
Are you interested in finding grants for grassroots organizations available in your county or state? Then you’ve come to the right place. Here, we've listed grants available for counties in California. We've also added grants that support the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and all other states in the US. Get even more funding opportunities by starting a 14-day free trial of Instrumentl.
11,000+ Grants for grassroots organizations in the United States for your nonprofit
From private foundations to corporations seeking to fund grants for nonprofits.
8,000+
Grants for Grassroots Organizations over $5K in average grant size
1,000+
Grants for Grassroots Organizations supporting general operating expenses
8,000+
Grants for Grassroots Organizations supporting programs / projects
Grants for Grassroots Organizations by location
Africa
Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Georgia (US state)
Guam
Haiti
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Utah
Vermont
Virgin Islands
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
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Explore grants for your nonprofit:
Rolling deadline
Charity Pot Funding
LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
Up to US $25,000
Our Charity Pot funding supports small, grassroots organizations in North America and around the world that are working on the root cause of issues and creating long-term sustainable change.
We support organizations working in the following three areas:
Animal protection
Recognize animals as sentient beings, deserving of care and protection, and who should not be subjected to cruelty or exploitation for human gain.
Environmental justice
Defending the rights of nature and standing up for a healthy, sustainable environment for future generations.
Human rights
Stand for the rights, visibility and equality of all people worldwide and for the defense of those most vulnerable.
Rolling deadline
Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Charitable Donations
Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Unspecified amount
What We Stand For | Our Giving Priorities
We practice the discipline of being Good Company—cultivating meaningful awareness, driving sustainable action, and setting a new standard for how businesses and communities impact the Greater Good together. A grassroots appeal guides our efforts in food and the arts, while a holistic approach integrates commitment to learning and the environment. Compassion is extended from the inside out with actionable goals and a global perspective. We create mutually enriching philanthropic experiences for our CoStars, guests, investors and the community. And, although we are located in Las Vegas, we are home all around the world.
We take part in several charitable and community events throughout the year, many focused on our community giving priorities:
- Food and Hunger Relief - Providing food and nourishment, especially to those that are low-income or homeless.
- Learning and Student Enrichment - Enhancements to schools and programs that help students succeed in school.
- Accessible Art - Providing opportunities for the community to engage with and create their own expression of art.
- World Aware - Every day we commit to making choices that positively influence the world around us.
- Military - Programs and services that support the military, veterans and their families.
- Diversity and Inclusion - Programs and services that support minorities and the LGBT Community.
Organizations may request cash or in-kind donations.
Rolling deadline
Global Fund for Children Grants: Become a Partner
Global Fund for Children
Unspecified amount
NOTE: Organizations that believe they meet these criteria can submit an organizational profile at any time. If your organizational profile falls within our priorities, selection criteria, and funding availability, we will follow up to learn more about your organization. Due to the volume of inquiries, we cannot respond to each organization individually.
Global Fund for Children invests in grassroots organizations around the world to help children and youth reach their full potential and advance their rights.
Our Model
We find. - We research, explore, and identify innovative groups working with children and youth around the world.
We fund. - We invest wisely, funding our partners’ life-changing programs for children and youth and keeping a watchful eye on how those funds are put to use.
Together we strengthen. - We advise, mentor, and guide our partners. We build mutual trust, accountability, and enduring relationships. We provide tools for self-assessment. We support and help our partners grow.
We build networks. - We connect our partners to each other and to national and regional networks. We bring together brilliant minds to share knowledge, fuel advocacy, and build movements of social change.
And when our partners graduate, we stand proud. - Our greatest joy comes from knowing that we played a part in helping our partners grow strong enough to continue their important work for children without us.
Eligibility Criteria & Selection Guidelines
At Global Fund for Children, we invite you to join our growing grassroots network if you have shown great potential to improve the lives of children and youth who face poverty, injustice, and discrimination. As we embrace learning and collaboration, we hope you will serve as a model and resource for other community-based partners dedicated to the same big goals.
Focus Areas
Together with our partners, we are building a future where all young people enjoy equal resources and opportunities in society and can live to their full potential.
Our work advances the rights of children and youth across four focus areas and five regions. We have a deep commitment to courageous organizations that support young people facing poverty, injustice, and discrimination.
We support grassroots organizations that are not afraid to tackle the root causes of poverty with innovative, local solutions. Most offer holistic care to comprehensively address the needs of each child. Many become regional and national leaders in children’s rights—raising awareness, influencing policy, and ultimately impacting thousands of children and youth beyond their doors.
Education
Poverty and injustice—and the many hardships that accompany them—deny millions of children the opportunity to learn. We promote the right of all children to access high-quality education, regardless of their circumstances.Worldwide, 124 million children and adolescents are out of school. Millions more who do attend school do not acquire basic skills in mathematics and reading. And every day, conditions beyond their control—gender, ethnicity, economic status, geography, conflict, disaster—force children and youth to drop out. But giving up on them isn’t an option.
At Global Fund for Children, we believe that educating children and youth is the key to building a more peaceful and just society. When we equip young people with education and skills, we unlock their potential to contribute to their families and transform their communities.
We support education from children’s earliest years to secondary school and on through university or vocational training. We place a strong emphasis on girls’ education to address the current and historical disadvantage for girls, improving access and quality and ensuring that girls have safe, girl-friendly places to learn. For refugees, children with disabilities, child laborers, and more, we prioritize inclusive, innovative educational programming that meets children and youth where they are and addresses their unique needs. For older youth, we support life skills, vocational, and entrepreneurship education so that they are empowered to make smart decisions, build financial resilience, and shape their own futures.
Gender Equity
Young people have the right to protect their bodies, raise their voices, and define their futures. But millions are denied these rights every day. We work to ensure that all children—regardless of their gender or their sexual identity—can be safe, learn, lead, and thrive.
Around the world, girls, young women, and LGBTQ youth—particularly those who are ethnic minorities or refugees, live in rural areas, or belong to other highly marginalized populations—face exclusion, violence, and discrimination. Too often, they are left out of decisions that determine their futures. At Global Fund for Children, we defend the right of all children to live free from discrimination and harmful gender-based attitudes and practices.
We believe that investing in girls delivers invaluable returns to the girls themselves, their families, and their communities, while confronting historical inequalities in societies worldwide. In fact, it’s essential to ending poverty and injustice. We also believe that traditional gender norms limit the full range of possibilities for boys and young men.
Through the work of our grassroots partners, we support girls’ education, sexual and reproductive health and rights, redefining masculinity, and the eradication of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices, including child marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting. Our strategies engage entire communities—including parents, schools, community leaders, and local and national governments —to work collectively toward gender justice. We equip girls with knowledge and skills that will help them lead independent lives and empower them to become agents of change, while ensuring the men and boys in their lives are engaged in building a more equitable world.
We also support programs that specifically address the needs of LGBTQ youth and help them achieve equal rights around the world.
Our grassroots partners provide shelter to LGBTQ youth who are fleeing violence or persecution, run LGBTQ support groups and summer camps, and offer essential health information and services. Our commitment to gender equity also values advocacy on sexual rights and sexual and gender identity, helping to create a safe and welcoming world for all children and youth.
Youth Empowerment
Right now, the largest youth population in history is coming of age, and most of these young people live in the developing world. It’s a challenge—and an opportunity—we can’t ignore.
According to the United Nations, 89% of the world’s youth live in developing countries. At the same time, youth unemployment is on the rise. And work alone does not mean prosperity: nearly 40% of working youth live in poverty. Together, these challenges pose an enormous threat to our global economic and political stability—unless we seize the opportunity.
By investing in young people, we advance youth rights and work to transform the youth “bulge” into a powerhouse of innovation, opportunity, and social change.
At Global Fund for Children, we empower thousands of youth by equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to lead lives of dignity, purpose, and economic stability. Our approach involves engaging young people who are also the least likely to have access to mainstream education and training, including girls, refugees, young people with disabilities, and youth engaged in hazardous work.
But economic opportunity is only part of the picture. We prioritize programs that advance young people’s political and civil participation and rights; that amplify youth voices, increase their decision-making powers, and raise awareness of their rights and needs; and that empower young people to educate and inspire their peers to act.
Freedom from Violence and Exploitation
All children deserve to grow up free from danger and harm—yet millions are threatened by war, trafficking, violence, and abuse. For survivors and children at risk, we work to bring safety and dignity to their lives.
Children and youth who live outside of mainstream society—and who are therefore most at risk of violence and exploitation—are often overlooked. Physical, psychological, and sexual abuse happen behind closed doors; poverty and inequality make children more vulnerable to sex and labor trafficking; war and community violence uproot children and youth from their homes and families. Their physical and psychosocial well-being is threatened. And too often, cultural norms make it acceptable to ignore their suffering.
Not on our watch. Global Fund for Children is dedicated to creating systemic change to end violence and exploitation for children and to help young survivors rebuild their lives.
Our grassroots partners provide protection and holistic care to trafficked children, migrants and refugees, child laborers, and survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation. They work to secure children’s legal identities—a critical step toward ensuring children’s safety and access to social services. They prevent future abuses by educating the public, training service providers, and combating harmful cultural norms and practices. And by pushing for better laws and policies to protect children and youth, they contribute to a growing movement that will not accept anything less than safety and security for every child.
Rolling deadline
Pollination Project Seed Grant
The Pollination Project
US $500 - US $1,000
Our Mission
The Pollination Project seeks to unleash the goodness in every person. Through a daily practice of generosity and giving, we make seed grants- 365 days a year- to social change agents who seek to spread compassion in their communities and in the world for the benefit of all.
Our Values
The Pollination Project values “compassion consciousness.”
Compassion consciousness means we think through and acknowledge the impact of our choices and our work: from the food we eat, to the questions we ask, to the office supplies we use, to the projects we fund and, ultimately, to the institutions and systems we challenge.
As we are deeply interconnected to all life, we play an integral role in supporting or obstructing its ability to thrive, through our thoughts, words, and deeds. Every person has the potential and power to transform our world, and that change starts with ourselves. How we show up is like the soil in which we plant our intentions, vision and hope for the world. If we are fearful, anxious, angry and resentful, what we plant will reflect this. If our soil is rich with love, compassion, beauty and joy, what we plant will be loving, compassionate, beautiful and joyful. As we are, so our work is.
As Dr. Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.” Compassion consciousness includes lifting up the oppressed, the unseen and the voiceless. Expanding compassion towards ALL life: human and non-human, is our highest intention.
We seek to fund at the very grassroots. We are interested in projects that are created by and with those who are most impacted. We look to fund people and teams who have considered the many ways their project impacts life, directly and indirectly, all over the world and who have made thoughtful choices about how to achieve their goals.
Project Funding Areas
- Animal Rights & Welfare
- Arts & Culture
- Economic Empowerment
- Environmental Sustainability
- Health & Wellness
- Human Rights & Dignity
- Kindness & Generosity
- Leadership Development
- Schools & Education
- Youth
Pollination Project Seed Grant
The Purpose of a Pollination Project Seed Grant is to support passionate, committed people with an early-stage social change vision.
Our Grants are designed to:
- Support passionate, committed people with a social change vision.
- Support projects in their early stage of development and where a small amount of money will go a very long way – we want to kick start your dreams for a better world.
- Help ensure sustainability of your work – during review, we often ask: “what happens once the grant runs out?”
- Cover costs such as supplies, program materials, direct travel expenses, website fees, discounted professional services, printing, copying, promotional costs, technical support.
- Pay for 501(c)(3) filing fees and expenses only if your project meets our specific conditions.
- Support projects with a clear target audience, and a compelling plan to reach and impact that target audience in a positive way.
- If your project involves video or other media production, then this element of your plan will receive particularly careful attention from our team.
- Support projects that do not expect to earn profit, or where any income will be used for a purely charitable effort. We do also offer Pay it forward loans to support for-profit social benefit projects.
- The goal of our funding is to provide the means for individuals and small, not yet established, organizations to really kick start their work. If you currently pay any full time staff members on a regular basis, then you likely do not qualify for a grant with The Pollination Project.
We consider ongoing expenses to be things like paying rent on an existing lease, paying utility bills, or other costs that generally keep the lights on for an already established organization but do not directly lead to the future sustainability or expansion of a project.
Rolling deadline
Richard Donchian Foundation Grants
The Richard Davoud Donchian Foundation
Up to US $25,000
NOTE: The foundation does not use prescreening or letters of inquiry or intent! The grant application is the appropriate first step in approaching the foundation. If you believe your organization might be a good fit after reviewing the guidelines and FAQs, you are welcome to submit an application.
Mission
The Richard Davoud Donchian Foundation provides funds to nonprofit organizations whose programs result in the strengthening of the human spirit and the enhancement of personal integrity. The Foundation channels most of its financial resources toward charitable organizations whose attention is concentrated on character development through leadership training, literacy, primary education, business integrity, spiritual enrichment and ethics.
It is the expressed belief of the Donchian Foundation that every individual can become physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually stronger, resulting in the culmination of a more confident and scrupulous lifestyle. The primary objective of the Donchian Foundation's grant making activities is to ensure that its ultimate recipients become empowered to strengthen and build up their families and communities -- passing onto others that which was given to them.
Guiding Principles
The Donchian Foundation's goal is to help effective organizations advance their mission and meet their charitable objectives. Through its endorsement, the Foundation's secondary objective is to create a ripple effect that leverages new partners and greater visibility. Leveraging is a principle that the foundation believes in, and one that is applied to its efforts toward strategic philanthropy. Whether it's leveraging matching funds through challenge grants, or motivating like-minded organizations to participate in a foundation-initiated project, the ultimate intention is to foster the best possible results.
Qualities sought by the Donchian Foundation in its partner organizations are:
- effective and dynamic personnel;
- passionate leadership;
- a bias against bureaucracy;
- prudent management & governance practices; and
- commitment to results and to the documented assessment of program impact.
The Foundation focuses its grant making in three key areas: Literacy & Education; Humanitarian Efforts and Ethics & Personal Development.
Literacy & Education
– With an interest in rethinking and reconfiguring curriculum, pedagogy, and the other academic resources in schools and communities, the Foundation focuses on programs that work toward long-term improvement in all aspects of education, but with an emphasis on literacy.
Humanitarian Efforts
– To improve the lives and spirits of individuals and communities facing pressing circumstances, etc., including efforts to address Children’s Health.
Ethics & Personal Development
– To enhance the moral, ethical, spiritual and physical well-being and progress of mankind. The Foundation's grantmaking activities are centered around the concept of social purpose enterprise that seeks to raise the standards of ethical excellence in society, moral character in the community, faith in the family, integrity in business and grassroots leadership in needy communities.
Applications dueJun 2, 2023
Clif Family Foundation Operational Support
Clif Bar Family Foundation
Approximately US $7,000
About
Welcome to the Clif Family Foundation, an organization we started in 2006 to support small-to-midsize grassroots groups led by people whose vision and commitment we deeply admire. We have been proud to support hundreds of organizations that are working tirelessly to strengthen our food system, advance equitable community health outcomes, and protect the places we play by being stewards of our environment and natural resources. Our desire has been to leave the world a better place for our children. Now that we’re grandparents, the urgency to build a healthier, just, and sustainable world is even more personal. We look forward to expanding the reach and impact of the foundation in the years to come. This includes working with more organizations to make their innovative ideas a reality and supporting a new generation of leaders. We believe we can all do more good in the world. Together. Our grants are awarded annually for general operational support as well as for specific projects.
Foundation Priorities
- Strengthen Our Food System
- Grow organic farming and other climate-friendly agriculture
- Safeguard agricultural seeds and biodiversity
- Democratize access to fresh and nutrient-dense foods
- Connect families with local food outlets and farmers
- Create viable opportunities for the next generation of farmers
- Enhance Equitable Community Health Outcomes
- Promote clean water access
- Curtail exposure to toxic materials
- Increase access to nature and outdoor activities
- Expand pedestrian and bicycling opportunities
- Improve farmworkers’ standard of living, wages, and working conditions
- Safeguard Our Environment and Natural Resources
- Accelerate action on climate change
- Advance renewable energy and support green jobs
- Break the resource waste cycle
- Preserve watersheds, open spaces, and wild places
- Conserve water supplies for fair, long-term access
Priority is given to applicants that:
- Address two or more of our funding priorities at the same time:
- Strengthen our food system
- Enhance equitable community health outcomes
- Safeguard our environment and natural resources
- Demonstrate strong community ties.
- Operate within viable and clearly defined plans for positive change.
Letter of inquiry dueSep 19, 2023
Tikkun Olam Grant
Jewish Helping Hands
Up to US $5,000
Purpose of Grants
Jewish Helping Hands launched its Tikkun Olam Grant program in 2012 to advance our goal of inspiring and supporting tzedakah, justice and righteousness, throughout the world. Our goal is to help vulnerable populations in the United States and abroad through a variety of programs focused on economic development and social empowerment, with a particular focus on those demographics that have been overlooked and/or marginalized.
In cooperation with local communities, JHH supports programs that are sustainable and scalable through financial and hands-on support. Our objective is to promote organizations and projects that will make a tangible and lasting difference in the lives of the populations they serve. With each of our grants, JHH also intends to share its experience and expertise, so as to help further our joint mission.
Criteria for Grants
JHH values programs and projects that aim to bring about positive change for groups of all backgrounds and religious affiliations.
JHH will consider making grants to individuals or organizations that show clear promise to achieve one or both of the following:
- Respond to unmet needs of those who are poor and/or marginalized
- Promote self-help and empowerment within communities
In the 2022/2023 Grant Cycle, we are focusing primarily on projects that provide the basic necessities for a decent life:
- Women’s Empowerment
- Education
- Food
- Shelter
- Clothing
- Water
- Health
- Internet Connectivity
- Gender Equity
We are also focusing especially on projects in these areas:
- East Africa
- Central America
- North America
- Any Impoverished Jewish Communities
- Israel
JHH especially seeks to partner with grassroots organizations who utilize resources local to their communities especially when those projects support the safety and health of the community members.
Applications dueOct 1, 2023
H. C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation Grant
H. C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation
Up to US $3,000
Background
The H. C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation was created in 1956 by the philanthropy and vision of Hiram C. and Edith Gemmer, and their son, H. Robert Gemmer. The founders’ convictions and charitable interests focuses on peace, justice, sobriety, and racial harmony. They were also strong supporters of ecumenical and inter-organizations. By the generosity and estate planning of H. Robert Gemmer, the value of the Foundation’s assets grew fourfold following his death in 1992. The Foundation board meets semi-annually, normally the weekend after Memorial Day and the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Primary Areas of Funding
Peace with Justice
- Alternative to Violence, militarism and War
- Conflict Resolution
- Reconciliation and Healing
- Peace Education
- Criminal Justice
Human Rights
- Anti-Discrimination and Protection
- Immigrants’ rights
- Diversity and Intergroup Relations
- Social Justice
- Economic Justice
Applications dueJan 27, 2024
FAWCO Foundation: Development Grants
FAWCO Foundation
US $5,000
NOTE: For the 2023 cycle, In light of the situation with COVID and how it may have affected clubs’ ability to support their chosen charities, at this time clubs must have only supported their nominated charity for six months (instead of the usual one year) before applying for a DG on their behalf. This allows clubs to nominate charities that were perhaps forced to suspend operations for a time due to COVID or charities that may have been borne out of COVID. Support is defined as donation of goods, services or money made by more than two individuals of a FAWCO Member Club or FAUSA.
The FAWCO Foundation Development Grant
The FAWCO Foundation Development Grants financially assist projects which are passionately supported by FAWCO Member Clubs and FAUSA. The purpose of the program is to fund projects that can make an immediate impact and lead to success for the people they support. The assistance offered should be direct, with a goal of sustainability.
Through The Foundation, FAWCO Member Clubs and FAUSA have been aiding worthy and reputable charitable projects around the globe for over 45 years. Some clubs are working “hands-on” with their projects while others make financial contributions or donations of goods. FAWCO Member Clubs and FAUSA are passionate about supporting projects that improve the human condition throughout the world. The DGs provide the financial assistance that can help the recipients achieve their goals.
The Development Grant categories are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the areas of Education, Environment, Health and Human Rights.
The Foundation encourages FAWCO clubs to nominate grassroots organizations that receive little or no great sponsorship or support. Each FAWCO club may nominate two different projects each year.
Grant Categories
The grant categories are aligned with the UN Millennium Goals.
The FAWCO Foundation 2020 Development Grants will be offered in these categories:
Education
For projects promoting literacy, supporting academic studies, building or providing classrooms, libraries or general learning facilities for disadvantaged children or providing training designed to lead to economic and other types of empowerment for women and girls.
Due to the generosity in sponsorship, there are three awards available which will be given to the three projects receiving the most votes.
- AW Surrey Hope Through Education $5,000
-
Educating Women & Girls Worldwide, sponsored in part by Renuka Matthews $5,000
- For programs specifically aimed at women and/or girls.
- Pam Dahlgren Educating Africa’s Children $5,000
- For programs specifically in the geographical area of Africa and will be awarded to the Africa-focused nominated project which receives the most votes.
Human Rights
For projects in a FAWCO Member Club’s host country or the world:
-
providing vocational training, teaching practical skills, promoting social entrepreneurial initiatives for at-risk/marginalized population groups,
- or addressing the critical problems of violence, food and shelter, healthcare, education, poverty, advocacy, human trafficking, prostitution, refugees, including all those impacted by economic, political or other forced migration,
- or promoting cultural understanding.
Due to the generosity in sponsorship, there are three awards available which will be given to the three projects receiving the most votes.
- Breaking the Cycle, sponsored in part by AW Eastern Province $5,000
-
FAUSA Effecting Change for Women and Children at Risk $5,000
-
Safe Haven, sponsored in part by the family and friends of Louise Greeley-Copley $5,000
- For programs specifically supporting the Human Right to Safety and Shelter including:
- Refugee Programs
- Protection for Women and Children Fleeing Violence
- Victims of Human Trafficking
- Shelters for Natural or Man-made Disasters
Environment
For projects promoting the responsible use of the environment to provide for the basic needs of a family or a community.
-
Nurturing Our Planet - $5000
Global Issues
- NEW for 2020!
Close To Home $5,000
This Grant can be placed within any of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to which we align our Development Grants in the areas of Education, Environment, Health and Human Rights. In order to recognize FAWCO club’s local charities that are often overlooked on the world’s stage, the TFF is offering this Development Grant that is available for projects that take place in the nominating Club’s home country.
Health
For projects providing medical treatment, diagnostic services, preventive care or medical counseling. This can include, but is not limited to, cancer, HIV/AIDS, communicable, non-communicable and environmental diseases, substance abuse, life-improving surgeries, mental issues, the critically ill, the disabled, the aged, medical transport, special needs and maternal health for mothers and children.
Critical Health Concerns - $5000
Grants for Grassroots Organizations over $5K in average grant size
Grants for Grassroots Organizations supporting general operating expenses
Grants for Grassroots Organizations supporting programs / projects
Charity Pot Funding
LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
Our Charity Pot funding supports small, grassroots organizations in North America and around the world that are working on the root cause of issues and creating long-term sustainable change.
We support organizations working in the following three areas:
Animal protection
Recognize animals as sentient beings, deserving of care and protection, and who should not be subjected to cruelty or exploitation for human gain.
Environmental justice
Defending the rights of nature and standing up for a healthy, sustainable environment for future generations.
Human rights
Stand for the rights, visibility and equality of all people worldwide and for the defense of those most vulnerable.
Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Charitable Donations
Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
What We Stand For | Our Giving Priorities
We practice the discipline of being Good Company—cultivating meaningful awareness, driving sustainable action, and setting a new standard for how businesses and communities impact the Greater Good together. A grassroots appeal guides our efforts in food and the arts, while a holistic approach integrates commitment to learning and the environment. Compassion is extended from the inside out with actionable goals and a global perspective. We create mutually enriching philanthropic experiences for our CoStars, guests, investors and the community. And, although we are located in Las Vegas, we are home all around the world.
We take part in several charitable and community events throughout the year, many focused on our community giving priorities:
- Food and Hunger Relief - Providing food and nourishment, especially to those that are low-income or homeless.
- Learning and Student Enrichment - Enhancements to schools and programs that help students succeed in school.
- Accessible Art - Providing opportunities for the community to engage with and create their own expression of art.
- World Aware - Every day we commit to making choices that positively influence the world around us.
- Military - Programs and services that support the military, veterans and their families.
- Diversity and Inclusion - Programs and services that support minorities and the LGBT Community.
Organizations may request cash or in-kind donations.
Global Fund for Children Grants: Become a Partner
Global Fund for Children
NOTE: Organizations that believe they meet these criteria can submit an organizational profile at any time. If your organizational profile falls within our priorities, selection criteria, and funding availability, we will follow up to learn more about your organization. Due to the volume of inquiries, we cannot respond to each organization individually.
Global Fund for Children invests in grassroots organizations around the world to help children and youth reach their full potential and advance their rights.
Our Model
- We research, explore, and identify innovative groups working with children and youth around the world.
- We invest wisely, funding our partners’ life-changing programs for children and youth and keeping a watchful eye on how those funds are put to use.
- We advise, mentor, and guide our partners. We build mutual trust, accountability, and enduring relationships. We provide tools for self-assessment. We support and help our partners grow.
- We connect our partners to each other and to national and regional networks. We bring together brilliant minds to share knowledge, fuel advocacy, and build movements of social change.
- Our greatest joy comes from knowing that we played a part in helping our partners grow strong enough to continue their important work for children without us.
Eligibility Criteria & Selection Guidelines
At Global Fund for Children, we invite you to join our growing grassroots network if you have shown great potential to improve the lives of children and youth who face poverty, injustice, and discrimination. As we embrace learning and collaboration, we hope you will serve as a model and resource for other community-based partners dedicated to the same big goals.
Focus Areas
Together with our partners, we are building a future where all young people enjoy equal resources and opportunities in society and can live to their full potential.
Our work advances the rights of children and youth across four focus areas and five regions. We have a deep commitment to courageous organizations that support young people facing poverty, injustice, and discrimination.
We support grassroots organizations that are not afraid to tackle the root causes of poverty with innovative, local solutions. Most offer holistic care to comprehensively address the needs of each child. Many become regional and national leaders in children’s rights—raising awareness, influencing policy, and ultimately impacting thousands of children and youth beyond their doors.
Education
Poverty and injustice—and the many hardships that accompany them—deny millions of children the opportunity to learn. We promote the right of all children to access high-quality education, regardless of their circumstances.Worldwide, 124 million children and adolescents are out of school. Millions more who do attend school do not acquire basic skills in mathematics and reading. And every day, conditions beyond their control—gender, ethnicity, economic status, geography, conflict, disaster—force children and youth to drop out. But giving up on them isn’t an option.
At Global Fund for Children, we believe that educating children and youth is the key to building a more peaceful and just society. When we equip young people with education and skills, we unlock their potential to contribute to their families and transform their communities.
We support education from children’s earliest years to secondary school and on through university or vocational training. We place a strong emphasis on girls’ education to address the current and historical disadvantage for girls, improving access and quality and ensuring that girls have safe, girl-friendly places to learn. For refugees, children with disabilities, child laborers, and more, we prioritize inclusive, innovative educational programming that meets children and youth where they are and addresses their unique needs. For older youth, we support life skills, vocational, and entrepreneurship education so that they are empowered to make smart decisions, build financial resilience, and shape their own futures.
Gender Equity
Young people have the right to protect their bodies, raise their voices, and define their futures. But millions are denied these rights every day. We work to ensure that all children—regardless of their gender or their sexual identity—can be safe, learn, lead, and thrive.
Around the world, girls, young women, and LGBTQ youth—particularly those who are ethnic minorities or refugees, live in rural areas, or belong to other highly marginalized populations—face exclusion, violence, and discrimination. Too often, they are left out of decisions that determine their futures. At Global Fund for Children, we defend the right of all children to live free from discrimination and harmful gender-based attitudes and practices.
We believe that investing in girls delivers invaluable returns to the girls themselves, their families, and their communities, while confronting historical inequalities in societies worldwide. In fact, it’s essential to ending poverty and injustice. We also believe that traditional gender norms limit the full range of possibilities for boys and young men.
Through the work of our grassroots partners, we support girls’ education, sexual and reproductive health and rights, redefining masculinity, and the eradication of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices, including child marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting. Our strategies engage entire communities—including parents, schools, community leaders, and local and national governments —to work collectively toward gender justice. We equip girls with knowledge and skills that will help them lead independent lives and empower them to become agents of change, while ensuring the men and boys in their lives are engaged in building a more equitable world.
We also support programs that specifically address the needs of LGBTQ youth and help them achieve equal rights around the world.
Our grassroots partners provide shelter to LGBTQ youth who are fleeing violence or persecution, run LGBTQ support groups and summer camps, and offer essential health information and services. Our commitment to gender equity also values advocacy on sexual rights and sexual and gender identity, helping to create a safe and welcoming world for all children and youth.
Youth Empowerment
Right now, the largest youth population in history is coming of age, and most of these young people live in the developing world. It’s a challenge—and an opportunity—we can’t ignore.
According to the United Nations, 89% of the world’s youth live in developing countries. At the same time, youth unemployment is on the rise. And work alone does not mean prosperity: nearly 40% of working youth live in poverty. Together, these challenges pose an enormous threat to our global economic and political stability—unless we seize the opportunity.
By investing in young people, we advance youth rights and work to transform the youth “bulge” into a powerhouse of innovation, opportunity, and social change.
At Global Fund for Children, we empower thousands of youth by equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to lead lives of dignity, purpose, and economic stability. Our approach involves engaging young people who are also the least likely to have access to mainstream education and training, including girls, refugees, young people with disabilities, and youth engaged in hazardous work.
But economic opportunity is only part of the picture. We prioritize programs that advance young people’s political and civil participation and rights; that amplify youth voices, increase their decision-making powers, and raise awareness of their rights and needs; and that empower young people to educate and inspire their peers to act.
Freedom from Violence and Exploitation
All children deserve to grow up free from danger and harm—yet millions are threatened by war, trafficking, violence, and abuse. For survivors and children at risk, we work to bring safety and dignity to their lives.
Children and youth who live outside of mainstream society—and who are therefore most at risk of violence and exploitation—are often overlooked. Physical, psychological, and sexual abuse happen behind closed doors; poverty and inequality make children more vulnerable to sex and labor trafficking; war and community violence uproot children and youth from their homes and families. Their physical and psychosocial well-being is threatened. And too often, cultural norms make it acceptable to ignore their suffering.
Not on our watch. Global Fund for Children is dedicated to creating systemic change to end violence and exploitation for children and to help young survivors rebuild their lives.
Our grassroots partners provide protection and holistic care to trafficked children, migrants and refugees, child laborers, and survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation. They work to secure children’s legal identities—a critical step toward ensuring children’s safety and access to social services. They prevent future abuses by educating the public, training service providers, and combating harmful cultural norms and practices. And by pushing for better laws and policies to protect children and youth, they contribute to a growing movement that will not accept anything less than safety and security for every child.
Pollination Project Seed Grant
The Pollination Project
Our Mission
The Pollination Project seeks to unleash the goodness in every person. Through a daily practice of generosity and giving, we make seed grants- 365 days a year- to social change agents who seek to spread compassion in their communities and in the world for the benefit of all.
Our Values
The Pollination Project values “compassion consciousness.”
Compassion consciousness means we think through and acknowledge the impact of our choices and our work: from the food we eat, to the questions we ask, to the office supplies we use, to the projects we fund and, ultimately, to the institutions and systems we challenge.
As we are deeply interconnected to all life, we play an integral role in supporting or obstructing its ability to thrive, through our thoughts, words, and deeds. Every person has the potential and power to transform our world, and that change starts with ourselves. How we show up is like the soil in which we plant our intentions, vision and hope for the world. If we are fearful, anxious, angry and resentful, what we plant will reflect this. If our soil is rich with love, compassion, beauty and joy, what we plant will be loving, compassionate, beautiful and joyful. As we are, so our work is.
As Dr. Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.” Compassion consciousness includes lifting up the oppressed, the unseen and the voiceless. Expanding compassion towards ALL life: human and non-human, is our highest intention.
We seek to fund at the very grassroots. We are interested in projects that are created by and with those who are most impacted. We look to fund people and teams who have considered the many ways their project impacts life, directly and indirectly, all over the world and who have made thoughtful choices about how to achieve their goals.
Project Funding Areas
- Animal Rights & Welfare
- Arts & Culture
- Economic Empowerment
- Environmental Sustainability
- Health & Wellness
- Human Rights & Dignity
- Kindness & Generosity
- Leadership Development
- Schools & Education
- Youth
Pollination Project Seed Grant
The Purpose of a Pollination Project Seed Grant is to support passionate, committed people with an early-stage social change vision.
Our Grants are designed to:
- Support passionate, committed people with a social change vision.
- Support projects in their early stage of development and where a small amount of money will go a very long way – we want to kick start your dreams for a better world.
- Help ensure sustainability of your work – during review, we often ask: “what happens once the grant runs out?”
- Cover costs such as supplies, program materials, direct travel expenses, website fees, discounted professional services, printing, copying, promotional costs, technical support.
- Pay for 501(c)(3) filing fees and expenses only if your project meets our specific conditions.
- Support projects with a clear target audience, and a compelling plan to reach and impact that target audience in a positive way.
- If your project involves video or other media production, then this element of your plan will receive particularly careful attention from our team.
- Support projects that do not expect to earn profit, or where any income will be used for a purely charitable effort. We do also offer Pay it forward loans to support for-profit social benefit projects.
- The goal of our funding is to provide the means for individuals and small, not yet established, organizations to really kick start their work. If you currently pay any full time staff members on a regular basis, then you likely do not qualify for a grant with The Pollination Project.
We consider ongoing expenses to be things like paying rent on an existing lease, paying utility bills, or other costs that generally keep the lights on for an already established organization but do not directly lead to the future sustainability or expansion of a project.
Richard Donchian Foundation Grants
The Richard Davoud Donchian Foundation
NOTE: The foundation does not use prescreening or letters of inquiry or intent! The grant application is the appropriate first step in approaching the foundation. If you believe your organization might be a good fit after reviewing the guidelines and FAQs, you are welcome to submit an application.
Mission
The Richard Davoud Donchian Foundation provides funds to nonprofit organizations whose programs result in the strengthening of the human spirit and the enhancement of personal integrity. The Foundation channels most of its financial resources toward charitable organizations whose attention is concentrated on character development through leadership training, literacy, primary education, business integrity, spiritual enrichment and ethics.
It is the expressed belief of the Donchian Foundation that every individual can become physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually stronger, resulting in the culmination of a more confident and scrupulous lifestyle. The primary objective of the Donchian Foundation's grant making activities is to ensure that its ultimate recipients become empowered to strengthen and build up their families and communities -- passing onto others that which was given to them.
Guiding Principles
The Donchian Foundation's goal is to help effective organizations advance their mission and meet their charitable objectives. Through its endorsement, the Foundation's secondary objective is to create a ripple effect that leverages new partners and greater visibility. Leveraging is a principle that the foundation believes in, and one that is applied to its efforts toward strategic philanthropy. Whether it's leveraging matching funds through challenge grants, or motivating like-minded organizations to participate in a foundation-initiated project, the ultimate intention is to foster the best possible results.
Qualities sought by the Donchian Foundation in its partner organizations are:
- effective and dynamic personnel;
- passionate leadership;
- a bias against bureaucracy;
- prudent management & governance practices; and
- commitment to results and to the documented assessment of program impact.
The Foundation focuses its grant making in three key areas: Literacy & Education; Humanitarian Efforts and Ethics & Personal Development.
Literacy & Education
– With an interest in rethinking and reconfiguring curriculum, pedagogy, and the other academic resources in schools and communities, the Foundation focuses on programs that work toward long-term improvement in all aspects of education, but with an emphasis on literacy.
Humanitarian Efforts
– To improve the lives and spirits of individuals and communities facing pressing circumstances, etc., including efforts to address Children’s Health.
Ethics & Personal Development
– To enhance the moral, ethical, spiritual and physical well-being and progress of mankind. The Foundation's grantmaking activities are centered around the concept of social purpose enterprise that seeks to raise the standards of ethical excellence in society, moral character in the community, faith in the family, integrity in business and grassroots leadership in needy communities.
Clif Family Foundation Operational Support
Clif Bar Family Foundation
About
Welcome to the Clif Family Foundation, an organization we started in 2006 to support small-to-midsize grassroots groups led by people whose vision and commitment we deeply admire. We have been proud to support hundreds of organizations that are working tirelessly to strengthen our food system, advance equitable community health outcomes, and protect the places we play by being stewards of our environment and natural resources. Our desire has been to leave the world a better place for our children. Now that we’re grandparents, the urgency to build a healthier, just, and sustainable world is even more personal. We look forward to expanding the reach and impact of the foundation in the years to come. This includes working with more organizations to make their innovative ideas a reality and supporting a new generation of leaders. We believe we can all do more good in the world. Together. Our grants are awarded annually for general operational support as well as for specific projects.
Foundation Priorities
- Strengthen Our Food System
- Grow organic farming and other climate-friendly agriculture
- Safeguard agricultural seeds and biodiversity
- Democratize access to fresh and nutrient-dense foods
- Connect families with local food outlets and farmers
- Create viable opportunities for the next generation of farmers
- Enhance Equitable Community Health Outcomes
- Promote clean water access
- Curtail exposure to toxic materials
- Increase access to nature and outdoor activities
- Expand pedestrian and bicycling opportunities
- Improve farmworkers’ standard of living, wages, and working conditions
- Safeguard Our Environment and Natural Resources
- Accelerate action on climate change
- Advance renewable energy and support green jobs
- Break the resource waste cycle
- Preserve watersheds, open spaces, and wild places
- Conserve water supplies for fair, long-term access
Priority is given to applicants that:
- Address two or more of our funding priorities at the same time:
- Strengthen our food system
- Enhance equitable community health outcomes
- Safeguard our environment and natural resources
- Demonstrate strong community ties.
- Operate within viable and clearly defined plans for positive change.
Tikkun Olam Grant
Jewish Helping Hands
Purpose of Grants
Jewish Helping Hands launched its Tikkun Olam Grant program in 2012 to advance our goal of inspiring and supporting tzedakah, justice and righteousness, throughout the world. Our goal is to help vulnerable populations in the United States and abroad through a variety of programs focused on economic development and social empowerment, with a particular focus on those demographics that have been overlooked and/or marginalized.
In cooperation with local communities, JHH supports programs that are sustainable and scalable through financial and hands-on support. Our objective is to promote organizations and projects that will make a tangible and lasting difference in the lives of the populations they serve. With each of our grants, JHH also intends to share its experience and expertise, so as to help further our joint mission.
Criteria for Grants
JHH values programs and projects that aim to bring about positive change for groups of all backgrounds and religious affiliations.
JHH will consider making grants to individuals or organizations that show clear promise to achieve one or both of the following:
- Respond to unmet needs of those who are poor and/or marginalized
- Promote self-help and empowerment within communities
In the 2022/2023 Grant Cycle, we are focusing primarily on projects that provide the basic necessities for a decent life:
- Women’s Empowerment
- Education
- Food
- Shelter
- Clothing
- Water
- Health
- Internet Connectivity
- Gender Equity
We are also focusing especially on projects in these areas:
- East Africa
- Central America
- North America
- Any Impoverished Jewish Communities
- Israel
JHH especially seeks to partner with grassroots organizations who utilize resources local to their communities especially when those projects support the safety and health of the community members.
H. C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation Grant
H. C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation
Background
The H. C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation was created in 1956 by the philanthropy and vision of Hiram C. and Edith Gemmer, and their son, H. Robert Gemmer. The founders’ convictions and charitable interests focuses on peace, justice, sobriety, and racial harmony. They were also strong supporters of ecumenical and inter-organizations. By the generosity and estate planning of H. Robert Gemmer, the value of the Foundation’s assets grew fourfold following his death in 1992. The Foundation board meets semi-annually, normally the weekend after Memorial Day and the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Primary Areas of Funding
Peace with Justice
- Alternative to Violence, militarism and War
- Conflict Resolution
- Reconciliation and Healing
- Peace Education
- Criminal Justice
Human Rights
- Anti-Discrimination and Protection
- Immigrants’ rights
- Diversity and Intergroup Relations
- Social Justice
- Economic Justice
FAWCO Foundation: Development Grants
FAWCO Foundation
NOTE: For the 2023 cycle, In light of the situation with COVID and how it may have affected clubs’ ability to support their chosen charities, at this time clubs must have only supported their nominated charity for six months (instead of the usual one year) before applying for a DG on their behalf. This allows clubs to nominate charities that were perhaps forced to suspend operations for a time due to COVID or charities that may have been borne out of COVID. Support is defined as donation of goods, services or money made by more than two individuals of a FAWCO Member Club or FAUSA.
The FAWCO Foundation Development Grant
The FAWCO Foundation Development Grants financially assist projects which are passionately supported by FAWCO Member Clubs and FAUSA. The purpose of the program is to fund projects that can make an immediate impact and lead to success for the people they support. The assistance offered should be direct, with a goal of sustainability.
Through The Foundation, FAWCO Member Clubs and FAUSA have been aiding worthy and reputable charitable projects around the globe for over 45 years. Some clubs are working “hands-on” with their projects while others make financial contributions or donations of goods. FAWCO Member Clubs and FAUSA are passionate about supporting projects that improve the human condition throughout the world. The DGs provide the financial assistance that can help the recipients achieve their goals.
The Development Grant categories are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the areas of Education, Environment, Health and Human Rights.
The Foundation encourages FAWCO clubs to nominate grassroots organizations that receive little or no great sponsorship or support. Each FAWCO club may nominate two different projects each year.
Grant Categories
The grant categories are aligned with the UN Millennium Goals.
The FAWCO Foundation 2020 Development Grants will be offered in these categories:
Education
For projects promoting literacy, supporting academic studies, building or providing classrooms, libraries or general learning facilities for disadvantaged children or providing training designed to lead to economic and other types of empowerment for women and girls.
Due to the generosity in sponsorship, there are three awards available which will be given to the three projects receiving the most votes.
- AW Surrey Hope Through Education $5,000
- Educating Women & Girls Worldwide, sponsored in part by Renuka Matthews $5,000
- For programs specifically aimed at women and/or girls.
- Pam Dahlgren Educating Africa’s Children $5,000
- For programs specifically in the geographical area of Africa and will be awarded to the Africa-focused nominated project which receives the most votes.
Human Rights
For projects in a FAWCO Member Club’s host country or the world:
- providing vocational training, teaching practical skills, promoting social entrepreneurial initiatives for at-risk/marginalized population groups,
- or addressing the critical problems of violence, food and shelter, healthcare, education, poverty, advocacy, human trafficking, prostitution, refugees, including all those impacted by economic, political or other forced migration,
- or promoting cultural understanding.
Due to the generosity in sponsorship, there are three awards available which will be given to the three projects receiving the most votes.
- Breaking the Cycle, sponsored in part by AW Eastern Province $5,000
- FAUSA Effecting Change for Women and Children at Risk $5,000
- Safe Haven, sponsored in part by the family and friends of Louise Greeley-Copley $5,000
- For programs specifically supporting the Human Right to Safety and Shelter including:
- Refugee Programs
- Protection for Women and Children Fleeing Violence
- Victims of Human Trafficking
- Shelters for Natural or Man-made Disasters
Environment
For projects promoting the responsible use of the environment to provide for the basic needs of a family or a community.
- Nurturing Our Planet - $5000
Global Issues - NEW for 2020!
Close To Home $5,000
This Grant can be placed within any of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to which we align our Development Grants in the areas of Education, Environment, Health and Human Rights. In order to recognize FAWCO club’s local charities that are often overlooked on the world’s stage, the TFF is offering this Development Grant that is available for projects that take place in the nominating Club’s home country.
Health
For projects providing medical treatment, diagnostic services, preventive care or medical counseling. This can include, but is not limited to, cancer, HIV/AIDS, communicable, non-communicable and environmental diseases, substance abuse, life-improving surgeries, mental issues, the critically ill, the disabled, the aged, medical transport, special needs and maternal health for mothers and children.
Critical Health Concerns - $5000
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