Search Through Literacy Grants for Nonprofits in the U.S.

The George and Sarah Buchanan Foundation was born from the shared vision of its founders, George and Sarah Buchanan, who believed in giving back to the community as a testament to their life’s blessings. Focusing on special needs, military, at-risk youth, education, and faith-based initiatives, the foundation aims to create a ripple effect of positive change across communities. The George and Sarah Buchanan Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling our mission of providing help and support to those in need across all five of our focus areas. By providing grants and partnering with 501 c3 charitable organizations, we hope to improve the lives of all recipients.

Our Grants

The Foundation makes Grants to a wide variety of charitable organizations. Programs vary in grant size and funding priorities. Supporting nonprofit and 501c charitable organizations, we award grants to enhance impactful programs and initiatives, foster innovation, and bolster the capabilities of existing systems and organizations. Nonprofits are invited to apply for grants for these programs. The foundation concentrates its giving on several key areas:

• Military

Partnering with charities that provide essential support to military personnel, veterans, and their families during and after service. Charities supporting the Military community focus on aiding active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. These organizations offer a range of support services to address the unique challenges faced by military personnel, including transition programs for those re-entering civilian life, mental health support, and assistance for wounded soldiers. They also provide housing assistance for veterans and gold-star families. Additionally, they provide financial aid, scholarships for education, and family support initiatives to ensure the well-being of military families, honoring their sacrifice and service to the country.

• Special Needs

Charitable organizations within the Special Needs sector are dedicated to serving individuals with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. These nonprofits work tirelessly to provide a spectrum of services that enhance the quality of life, promote independence, and ensure equal opportunities in all aspects of life. From early intervention programs, therapeutic services, and inclusive education to vocational training and supportive housing, these charities aim to meet the comprehensive needs of those with special needs, advocating for their rights and well-being in society.

• At-Risk Youth

Organizations working with At-Risk Youth are committed to guiding young people who face various challenges, such as poverty, homelessness, family instability, and involvement in the juvenile justice system. These charities offer programs that include mentorship, education and literacy support, after-school and enrichment activities, and career readiness training. Their goal is to provide at-risk youth with the tools and resources they need to overcome obstacles, realize their potential, and build a positive future.

• Education

Charitable organizations in the Education sector strive to ensure equitable access to quality education for children and adults alike. These nonprofits work in diverse settings, from urban to rural communities, providing programs such as early childhood education, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) initiatives, scholarship funds, and teacher training. They aim to close the education gap, foster lifelong learning, and prepare individuals for success in an increasingly complex world through vocational training opportunities.

• Faith-Based Organizations

Faith-based charitable organizations operate on the foundation of Christian values and beliefs, serving communities through a wide array of social, educational, and humanitarian efforts. These charities provide services such as food banks, homeless shelters, disaster relief, and international development projects. Beyond physical aid, they also offer spiritual support and community building activities, aiming to uplift individuals and families.

What We Fund

We support community-informed, data-driven programs that strengthen healthcare infrastructures and provide education and financial support to the most vulnerable communities around the world. Our corporate giving programs focus support where the need is greatest and we prioritize applications that demonstrate a strong capability to deliver the specific outcomes the grant would support.

We welcome funding requests for innovative, high-impact projects that relate to at least one of our core therapeutic areas:

• HIV
• Liver disease
  • Hepatitis C
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis D
  • Primary biliary cholangitis
• Oncology
  • Hematology
  • Solid tumors
• Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

Types of Support

Patient Community Support:

We strive to advance health equity, diversity in clinical trials and access to medicines to reduce disparities. We also support the local communities in which we operate.

• Examples of Patient Community Support projects Gilead has funded include:
  • Events or resources to educate patients about prevention and care options, such as:
    • Presentations
    • Web-based resources
    • Printed materials
    • Testing and screening initiatives
• The types of Patient Community Support organizations Gilead has funded include:
  • Patient advocacy and support groups
  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Nonprofit service organizations
  • Professional associations
  • Academic medical centers and universities

Corporate Sponsorships:

Many individuals face barriers to accessing healthcare due to age, disability, ethnicity or race, location, gender, gender identity or socioeconomic status.

To help ensure all people have the opportunity to get the best possible care – regardless of background – Gilead sponsors select events or conferences that raise awareness and support organizations working in our therapeutic areas of focus.

Events Gilead has sponsored include:

• Walks/runs
• Awards dinners
• Fundraising galas
• Community conferences

Gilead North America Grants

We are inspired by the work that our grantees do every day to improve access and eliminate barriers to healthcare while advancing education among patients and healthcare professionals. We support projects in North America across all our therapeutic areas — HIV, liver diseases, oncology and inflammatory and respiratory diseases.

Funding Priorities

• HIV:
  • While advances in medical research help millions of people living with HIV have longer, more fulfilling lives today, HIV continues to have a devastating impact, especially on underserved communities and in populations who lack access to medical care and are impacted by stigma and discrimination. We support organizations working to help individuals learn their HIV status and get the care they need. We also support organizations that aim to solve the challenges of tomorrow, including how to:
    • Understand the impact HIV has on an aging population
    • Ensure continuity and retention in care
    • Spark appreciation for innovative thinking in HIV treatment
    • Identify and create a new generation of advocates
• HIV Cure:
  • We work to address the HIV epidemic by discovering transformative and life-saving medicines, developing simplified treatment regimens that increase efficacy, expanding access to treatment for those who need it most and building communities among people affected by HIV and AIDS. Continuing on this commitment, we partner with and support institutions, community groups and organizations that are engaged in HIV cure activities through grant funding.
• HIV Prevention:
  • We support the efforts of community-based organizations, public health entities and similar nonprofit organizations to educate their constituents about comprehensive HIV prevention, including the role of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Specifically, we support programs designed to:
    • Provide comprehensive education on the range of prevention options and strategies available
    • Ensure biomedical prevention plans, such as PrEP, are implemented safely and effectively in accordance with recommended guidelines
    • Engage communities and individuals at highest risk for HIV infection in prevention efforts
• Liver Disease:
  • Hepatitis C disproportionately affects people who use drugs and other at-risk populations and there remain gaps in access to testing and care. We are working to change this by providing funding for organizations that:
    • Raise awareness and provide education
    • Increase treatment capacity and sustainability
    • Move individuals down the care pathway from screening to cure
    • Eliminate barriers to testing, care and treatment
• Oncology: Cancer remains one of the greatest health challenges we face. We support organizations focused on health equity in order to: 
  • Enable people affected by cancer and their caregivers to make informed health decisions
  • Educate healthcare providers on identification, screening and diagnosis
  • Improve access to prevention and treatment by overcoming barriers to care
• Inflammatory and Respiratory Diseases: Inflammatory and respiratory diseases have a substantial impact on people of every age, gender, ethnic group and economic class. We fund organizations that work in this therapeutic area to:
  • Improve individuals’ health literacy, enabling them to make informed health decisions
  • Educate healthcare providers on identification, screening and diagnosis
  • Improve access to treatment by overcoming financial and other obstacles

Funding

Gilead doesn’t place a limit on how much grantees can apply for. We want you to request the level of funding that you’ll need to make your project a success.

Global Impact Cash Grants

Cisco welcomes applications for Global Impact Cash Grants from community partners around the world who share our vision and offer an innovative approach to a critical social challenge.

We identify, incubate, and develop innovative solutions with the most impact. Global Impact Cash Grants go to nonprofits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that address a significant social problem. We’re looking for programs that fit within our investment areas, serve the underserved, and leverage technology to improve the reach and efficiency of services. We accept applications year-round from eligible organizations. An initial information form is used to determine whether your organization will be invited to complete a full application.

Social Investment Areas

At Cisco, we make social investments in three areas where we believe our technology and our people can make the biggest impact—education, economic empowerment, and crisis response, the last of which incorporates shelter, water, food, and disaster relief. Together, these investment areas help people overcome barriers of poverty and inequality, and make a lasting difference by fostering strong global communities.

Education Investments

Our strategy is to inclusively invest in technology-based solutions that increase equitable access to education while improving student performance, engagement, and career exploration. We support K-12 solutions that emphasize science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as well as literacy. We also consider programs that teach environmental sustainability, eliminate barriers to accessing climate change education, and invite student engagement globally to positively affect the environment.

What we look for:

• Innovative early grade solutions using the internet and technology to bridge the barriers preventing access to education for underserved students globally.
• Solutions that positively affect student attendance, attitudes, and behavior while inspiring action by students to improve learning outcomes, whether they participate in person, online, or in blended learning environments. 
• Solutions with high potential to replicate and scale globally, thereby increasing the availability of evidence-based solutions that support student-centricity, teacher capacity in the classroom, and increased parental participation to help students learn and develop.

Economic Empowerment

Our strategy is to invest in early stage, tech-enabled solutions that provide equitable access to the knowledge, skills, and resources that people need to support themselves and their families toward resilience, independence, and economic security.

Our goal is to support solutions that benefit individuals and families, and that contribute to local community growth and economic development in a sustainable economy.

We target our support in three interconnected areas:

• Skills development to help job seekers secure dignified employment and long-term career pathways in technology or other sectors, including environmental sustainability/green jobs.
• Inclusive entrepreneurship with small businesses as engines of local growth as well as high growth potential start-ups as large-scale job creators nationally and internationally, in technology or other sectors, including environment sustainability/green businesses.
• Banking the unbanked through relevant and affordable financial products and capacity building services.

Cisco Crisis Response

We seek to help overcome the cycle of poverty and dependence and achieve a more sustainable future through strategic investments. We back organizations that successfully address critical needs of underserved communities, because those who have their basic needs met are better equipped to learn and thrive.

What we look for:

• Innovative solutions that increase the capacity of grantees to deliver their products and services more effectively and efficiently
• Design and implementation of web-based tools that increase the availability of, or improve access to, products and services that are necessary for people to survive and thrive
• Programs that increase access to clean water, food, shelter, or disaster relief and promote a more sustainable future for all
  • By policy, relief campaigns respond to significant natural disaster and humanitarian crises as opposed to those caused by human conflict. Also by policy, our investments in this area do not include healthcare solutions.

Climate Impact

Our strategy is to invest US$100 million in Cisco Foundation funds over the next decade to help reverse the impact of climate change, working toward a sustainable and regenerative future for all.

The commitment includes both grant and impact investment funding for early-stage climate innovation. Both categories of support will be focused on bold climate solutions, and the grants side will also concentrate on community education and activation. Grants will go to exceptionally aligned nonprofit organizations, while impact investments will go to highly promising for-profit solutions through the private sector and climate impact funds.

Funding comes from the Cisco Foundation and will focus on:

• Identifying bold and innovative solutions that:
  • Draw down the carbon already in the atmosphere
  • Regenerate depleted ecosystems and broadly support the transition to a regenerative future
• Developing curricular initiatives to spur community engagement that can lead to measurable behavioral change and collective action

We will prioritize organizations that can achieve, measure, and report outcomes such as:

• Reduction, capture, and/or sequestering of greenhouse gas and carbon emissions
• Increased energy efficiency and improved mapping and management of natural resources, such as ecosystem restoration, forest treatments, reforestation, and afforestation that also will help repair our water cycles
• Transition to inclusive, just, coliberatory, and regenerative operating models, ways of being, and ways of organizing economies
• Creation of, and increase in, access to green jobs and job training
• Changes in community and individual behavior that lead to carbon footprint reduction, community climate resilience, and localized roadmaps to a sustainable shared climate future for all

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

Grant Guidelines and Focus AreasMission StatementThe Jewish Women's Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago seeks to expand and improve opportunities and choices in all aspects of Jewish women and girls' lives through strategic and effective grantmaking. The Jewish Women's Foundation endeavors to empower women as leaders, funders, and decision makers.Overall Considerations

• JWF Chicago funds with a "gender lens" and a "Jewish lens". We are interested in projects that recognize Jewish women and girls have unique needs both because of their gender, and their religious and cultural heritage.
• JWF Chicago is committed to improving the overall status of Jewish women and girls, and funds projects that promote social change by addressing at least one of the indicators described below:
• JWF Chicago considers an organization's holistic support of women and girls, as well as the specific project or program for which you are seeking a grant. This includes the extent to which Jewish women and girls are included among your leadership and in key staff positions.
• JWF Chicago supports organizations through general operating and project specific funding. General operating support will only be awarded to organizations focusing exclusively on promoting social change for Jewish women and girls.

Grantmaking Focus Areas

JWF Chicago funds in four main areas. Prospective grantees are invited to submit project and program proposals that relate to these targeted areas.

Innovation Grants

One-year funding open to all applicants that meet JWF Chicago’s overall eligibility requirements as described below.

• There is no predetermined number of Innovation Grants.
• The minimum Innovation Grant award is $10,000. There is no maximum grant amount.
• The average Innovation Grant ranges between $15,000-$25,000.
• JWF Chicago considers organizations for funding on a year-to-year basis. When applicable, previous funding of an organization does not guarantee funding for an Innovation Grant.

Grant Guidelines and Focus AreasMission StatementThe Jewish Women's Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago seeks to expand and improve opportunities and choices in all aspects of Jewish women and girls' lives through strategic and effective grantmaking. The Jewish Women's Foundation endeavors to empower women as leaders, funders, and decision makers.Overall Considerations

• JWF Chicago funds with a "gender lens" and a "Jewish lens". We are interested in projects that recognize Jewish women and girls have unique needs both because of their gender, and their religious and cultural heritage.
• JWF Chicago is committed to improving the overall status of Jewish women and girls, and funds projects that promote social change by addressing at least one of the indicators described below:
• JWF Chicago considers an organization's holistic support of women and girls, as well as the specific project or program for which you are seeking a grant. This includes the extent to which Jewish women and girls are included among your leadership and in key staff positions.
• JWF Chicago supports organizations through general operating and project specific funding. General operating support will only be awarded to organizations focusing exclusively on promoting social change for Jewish women and girls.

Grantmaking Focus Areas

JWF Chicago funds in four main areas. Prospective grantees are invited to submit project and program proposals that relate to these targeted areas.

Multiyear Grants

Three-year funding open to current JWF Chicago grantees and/or organizations previously funded by JWF Chicago in any of the past three grant cycles (since 2021).

JWF Chicago can award up to three new three-year grants per grant cycle.

JWF Chicago will award:

• up to $20,000 per grant in Year 1
• up to $20,000 per grant in Year 2
• and $10,000 per grant in Year 3

Funding in Year 2 and Year 3 will be contingent on applicant’s progress towards stated benchmarks.

The McKesson Foundation 

Founded in 1943, the McKesson Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporate foundation dedicated to advancing health outcomes for all. The Foundation’s mission is to remove barriers to quality healthcare across North America, especially for vulnerable and underserved communities.

Strategic Giving Pillars and Areas of Focus

The McKesson Foundation champions health equity by partnering with nonprofit organizations to advance efforts aligned with three strategic giving pillars and corresponding areas of focus:

Reducing the Burden of Cancer

The American Cancer Society states that one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. These cancer diagnoses often create both a health and financial crisis for patients and their families. Studies show factors including race/ethnicity, health insurance status and income can affect the timing of a patient’s diagnosis and treatment, as well as their survival and financial impact. Working with our partners, we aim to reduce the risk of getting cancer and address socioeconomic barriers to care.

• Prevention
  • provide education and services to encourage people to adopt healthy diets, exercise regularly, avoid tobacco, and protect their skin.
• Screening and Treatment
  • increase awareness of the importance of screenings, early detection and timely treatment among vulnerable populations; provide free health screenings for patients and connect them to care.
• Financial/Logistical Assistance
  • connect uninsured and underinsured patients to programs providing low or no-cost co-pays and social determinants of health (SDOH) interventions, e.g., transportation, childcare, healthy food, home meal delivery; reduce the economic burden of low-income patients with emergency funds for rent, utilities and other household expenses.

Preparing Tomorrow's Healthcare Workforce

• Patients report that they feel more heard and are more compliant with medical guidance when they share race/ethnicity with their healthcare practitioner. Nearly a third of the U.S. population is Black or Hispanic, yet the combined Black and Hispanic representation among oncologists is 8 percent and the combined Black, Indigenous and Hispanic representation among pharmacists is 10.7 percent. Closing the gap between diverse representation among the general population and among healthcare practitioners will improve health equity and patient outcomes.
• Oncology Professionals
  • increase underrepresented in medicine (URiM) student recruitment and retention;
  • increase all health professionals’ cultural competency to better serve a diverse patient population.
• Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians 
  • increase URiM recruitment and retention;
  • prepare students for broader pharmacist roles;
  • leverage pharmacists’ extensive training, community presence and public trust to serve vulnerable and rural patient populations.
• Student Engagement
  • increase students’ awareness of STEM careers;
  • support students’ financial literacy;
  • help prepare middle and high school students for higher education.

Accelerating Crisis Response

With the increased frequency and intensity of climate events, more people across North America need temporary or extended shelter, as well as food and medications, during and in the aftermath of crises. And with 10 percent of the population in both Canada and the U.S. living in food insecure households, programs to provide regular, nutritious meals to children, families and seniors can reduce chronic disease and improve long-term health.

• Preparedness
  • support relief agencies’ efforts to prepare for forecasted as well as unforeseen emergencies;
  • support relief agencies’ efforts to help people become Red Cross Ready.
• Disaster Relief and Recovery
  • mobilize resources to provide acute services, such as water, food, shelter, comfort kits, medicines, and healthcare for people affected by natural disasters or crises;
  • help families return to normalcy after a disaster.
• Medicine and Food
  • assist vulnerable individuals and communities by supporting acute and chronic care services that provide medicines and food.

The National Home Library Foundation makes grants to nonprofits to assist in the distribution of books and other forms of reading materials to libraries and community groups with limited resources or abilities to otherwise procure these materials.

NHLF grants are made to assist in the support, promotion and development of literacy and reading-related programs with the goal of combating illiteracy and/or encouraging an interest in reading and literacy among all ages.

Objective

• To assist in the distribution of books and other forms of reading materials to libraries and community groups with limited resources or abilities to otherwise procure these materials.
• To assist in the support, promotion and development of programs with the goal of combating illiteracy and/or encouraging an interest in reading and the literary arts for all ages.
• To encourage the development of programs relating primarily to literary or cultural topics that utilize various means of communication.

What We Support

The Rauch Foundation takes an entrepreneurial approach to promoting change by investing in areas where we can have a fundamental impact.

Our mission has two main priorities:

• To promote a healthy planet through research into global food systems.
• To promote the financial preparedness of rising generations of students by supporting schools in the delivery of financial literacy programs

Building on the Rauch Foundation’s long history of providing evidence-based research and data to inform policy, our work in food systems is centered on exploring the nexus between the food we consume and the systems involved in its financing, sourcing, production and delivery. Using the island of Poros, Greece and its efforts to stop the expansion of open net pen industrial fish farming as a case study, we have been laying out a case for how global, national, and regional actions can impact the health of a community, its economy, and the local environment.

Our school-based work in financial literacy acknowledges growing national support for a curriculum that helps young people develop the skills to navigate a successful future for themselves and their families.

Working for systemic change.

The Rauch Foundation invests in ideas and organizations that spark positive systemic change.

We are not afraid of controversial ideas, original approaches, or new ways to tackle old problems. However, we do look for sound data, leadership, other grant partners, strong management skills, and a focus on evidence-based outcomes. Once we invest in the work of an organization, our involvement may include a long-term partnership or assistance with capacity building and leadership.

We are committed to partnering with nonprofits and NGOs, the private sector, labor, research institutions, universities, the media, and other funders to help achieve shared goals and work through common issues.

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.

Starseed Foundation seeks to provide opportunities and exposure to the arts and environment, to improve the quality of life for those in need, and support social programs that offer cultural and lasting benefit to deserving populations.

In furtherance of these goals Starseed Foundation shall:

• Make gifts to exempt organizations which focus on expanding and enriching the performing and visual arts through education and public performance
• Make gifts to exempt organizations which focus on the environment through education and environmental protection work
• Make gifts to exempt organizations in support of literacy
• Make gifts to exempt organizations to alleviate hunger and support social services;
• Make gifts to exempt organizations that support programs related to children and animal welfare
• Make gifts to exempt organizations, with board approval, in support of culture and community improvement
• Make gifts to exempt institutions of education that support the goals listed above.

The Affirm Cares Employee Foundation

Our 501(c)(3) non-profit was established by Affirm in late 2019. We aim to make a significant and meaningful impact in the communities where we work and live.

Purpose

Affirm Cares gives grants to and partners with local organizations that make a meaningful impact in our pillar focus areas. We empower organizations working to provide financial literacy and inclusion, alleviate housing insecurity and homelessness, encourage civic engagement, promote community enrichment, and technology education. We support sustainable and scalable initiatives with a measurable impact in at least one of our three pillars: 

• Financial Literacy and Inclusion
• Vibrant Communities
• Technology Education and Training

Focus Areas

Affirm Cares volunteers share our time, funding, and energy to support:

• Financial literacy & inclusion: Provide fair and responsible credit for communities and businesses, credit education support, and nonprofit investments focused on equitable economic growth.
• Technology education & training: Support access to technology for K–12 coding academies and bootcamps, as well as providing workforce development and support for small urban and rural businesses.
• Vibrant communities: Partner with organizations focused on housing insecurity, homelessness, civic engagement, neighborhood preservation and revitalization, small business development, and community enrichment.

Funding

 Awards will typically range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000 barring exceptional circumstances. 

Background

For over 70 years, the Calvin K. Kazanjian Economics Foundation, Inc. has supported efforts to raise the nation’s level of economic literacy. Working with and funding a variety of institutions the Foundation has projects ranging from the development of National curriculum guides and standards for the schools in economics, to more focused materials for teaching economics and personal finance at all grade levels and through a variety of disciplines. The Foundation has taken a leadership role in applying new technologies to economics education including the development of a nationally broadcast educational film series for schools and colleges in the 1950s-1980s, and computer assisted instruction in the 1990s. The Foundation has recently underwritten the development of on-line games and activities for students.

With the knowledge that even the best materials will remain unused unless the gatekeepers of the classroom feel knowledgeable and comfortable with them, the Kazanjian Foundation has invested heavily in teacher education. As an initial and longtime supporter of the Developmental Economics Education Program the Foundation helped build a network of school districts committed to initiating and enhancing economics and personal finance instruction. This work and other efforts of the Foundation helped make economics and personal finance instruction a required part of the school curriculum in 38 states.

The Kazanjian Foundation has not limited its support to only traditional K-12 classrooms. Working with the American Economic Association and other professional organizations the Foundation has helped improve economics instruction in the college classroom. The Foundation has also underwritten the development of various instruments to measure economic and personal finance knowledge and supported research to determine the most effective way to teach economics.

Understanding that schools and colleges are not the only conveyance for increasing economic literacy, the Kazanjian Foundation has invested in programs to help clergy of all denominations convey basic economic concepts to their congregations. The Foundation has also supported efforts to increase economic knowledge among social workers and their colleagues in the hopes that they in turn can improve the basic personal finance skills of those they serve.

Though pleased with the success of its efforts in economic and personal finance education to date, the Foundation is none-the-less determined to further its mission set by Calvin K. Kazanjian, the founder and first president of Peter Paul Almond Joy.

Funding Interest

Foundation’s current funding interest includes but not limited to:

• The delivery of economic education to youth in non-school settings
• Behavioral economics with a focus on environmental issues
• Economic education initiatives to under-served communities in the local states
• On-line competitions
• Entrepreneurship education
• Marketing capabilities to serve more population in economic education
• Programs to generate more excitement for economic and financial education
• Economic education programs in a recently mandated state

 Literacy Opportunity Fund 

The Literacy Opportunity Fund awards grants to nonprofit organizations within the United States that provide literacy services directly to students.

Funded by the Nora Roberts Foundation and administered by ProLiteracy, the Literacy Opportunity Fund distributes grants of $3,000 to $6,000 to support general operating expenses.

This new fund aims to meet the needs of literacy organizations of all types and sizes so that they may effectively and efficiently provide services to students.

Grants are given to support general operating expenses. Applications are reviewed based on the individual needs of the literacy organization. General operating expenses might include salaries, technology, supplies, teacher stipends, equipment, space rental, etc. However, your application might also focus on a particular project or new programming effort.

Grants are awarded quarterly throughout the year. Applications will be reviewed, and notifications of approval or denial will be made eight (8) weeks after the submission deadline.

Store-Based Giving Guidelines

Through the Store-Based Giving Program, Ross helps young people in our communities dress for a bright future. We proudly support nonprofit organizations that help socioeconomically disadvantaged youth with academic achievement and/or building important life skills, like financial literacy and career readiness.

Our support through this program comes in the form of gift cards to our Ross Dress for Less or dd’s DISCOUNTS Stores. The gift cards must be used to purchase school or professional clothing/accessories for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth. Other uses of the gift cards are not supported or allowed. Please note that award amounts will depend on available budget and alignment with our mission; however, the gift cards are usually valued between $300-$500.

Culture Connect Legacy Fund

The Culture Connect Legacy Fund grant program was established to carry forward the mission of the Atlanta-based social enterprise, Culture Connect. Culture Connect fostered cultural fluency between immigrants and the broader community by focusing on three core areas: ensuring language access in schools and hospitals, cultivating culturally competent and welcoming communities, and promoting economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.

This one-time grant opportunity, funded by the Culture Connect Legacy Fund, is to support nonprofit organizations serving immigrant and refugee populations that demonstrate a commitment to language access and cultural competency. Organizations are eligible to apply for project or general operating support funding for grants up to $150,000 or 100% of the last fiscal year annual budget (whichever is less).

The Culture Connect Legacy Fund is a Donor-Advised Fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and all funding decisions are made by Culture Connect.

Projects/Areas of Work Categories

Example projects / areas of work are shown below, but are not exhaustive of all that will be considered.

• Language Access - interpretation, translation and English education
  • Examples
    • Training professional interpreters
    • Funds to access professional interpreters or leverage professionally translated materials
    • Translated documents to improve language access to critical community services
    • Linguistically and culturally appropriate English classes to improve literacy
• Access to Public Benefits and Services
  • Examples
    • Translated eligibility or application materials to public benefits or services (food security/SNAP/Food stamps, healthcare, Medicaid, school enrollments and IEP)
    • In-language navigators for public benefits (assistance accessing, enrolling, or handling denial of benefits)
    • Training for professional interpreters serving education, court and other public benefits settings
    • Improving health outcomes for immigrant and refugee individuals and their families
• Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship
  • Examples
    • Implement job training and placement programs that focus on high-demand skills and industries
    • Programs that enable immigrant and refugee leaders to become entrepreneurs (solo practitioner or cottage industry included)
    • Programs that increase economic mobility of immigrant or refugee individuals
    • Programs that unlock new opportunities within companies for immigrant and refugee individuals
    • Establish microloan programs and small business grants to support entrepreneurial initiatives within the communities
    • Develop affordable, community-based childcare centers that offer flexible hours to accommodate working parents
• Affordable and Accessible Healthcare
  • Examples
    • Programs that train, deploy and equip healthcare navigation
    • Translated materials to improve health outcomes
    • Cultural competency training for healthcare professionals to reduce unintended miscommunication and therefore poor health outcomes
    • Community health clinics or health fairs with culturally competent and multilingual staff
    • Offer culturally sensitive mental health services, including counseling and support groups, to address stigma and provide care

Vision, Mission and Values

Inspired by our Founder, Craig H. Neilsen, the Foundation is committed to changing the world for those living with spinal cord injuries and we are driven by our Vision, Mission and Values. Our vision is a statement of what is possible, the picture of the future we want to create. Our mission speaks to our primary purpose. And our values provide the lens for decision-making and define how we will achieve our mission.

Our Vision

Individuals with spinal cord injuries, and those who care for them, live full and productive lives as active participants in their communities.

Our Mission

Craig H. Neilsen Foundation’s funding is dedicated to supporting both programs and scientific research to improve the quality of life for those living with spinal cord injury.

Community Support Grants - Key Information

Applicants should describe their request for funding of projects, program support, and/or capacity building within this context:

“Projects” are discrete initiatives designed to achieve a specific, identified goal during the funding period. Funding can be requested to develop, launch, or augment solutions that respond to a need or eliminate barriers to participation.

"Program support” funds the activities and services provided by organizations that serve the community. Funding may be requested to support or improve participation by persons with SCI. Priority is given to programs that have broad impact, affect people across the lifespan, demonstrate community partnerships and/or empower people with SCI by providing options and opportunities to achieve greater independence.

“Capacity building” supports an organization’s effectiveness, operations, and potential for long-term sustainability. Funding may be requested for specified needs such as equipment, alterations that promote access, strategic and/or collaborative planning efforts, staff training, and professional development. These funds are for established organizations and not intended to subsidize start-up costs. 

Topic Areas

• Arts, Sports and Recreation: e.g., community partnership initiatives, visual and performing arts programs, equipment, travel funds, event support, or wellness programs.
• Assistive Technology: i.e., access to a piece of equipment, device, or product system (e.g., an app) to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities.
• Education: i.e., programs to promote return to school/university, education readiness, literacy interventions, General Education Development courses, tutoring programs. Note: For educational activities used as a tool to advance employment, independent living, or rehabilitation, specify the respective programmatic goal, rather than Education.
• Employment: e.g., vocational training, local employment placement, return-to-work programs, employment initiatives.
• Independent Living: e.g., accessible housing to move people with SCI out of nursing homes, adaptive driving programs, consumer education focused on independent living, transition/ reintegration projects, companion animal services, and independent living centers.
• Rehabilitation: e.g., health/wellness literacy, patient/family education, patient assistance funds, and equipment used in inpatient or outpatient programs.

Background

Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand are announcing over $8 million in grants to 37 organizations through their Black Community Commitment (BCC). Created in 2020, the Jordan Black Community Commitment — a joint and equal 10-year, $100 million initiative of Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand — is focused on leading sustainable change to impact the fight against systemic racism and create more equitable futures for Black Americans.

Focus Areas

• Economic Justice:
  • Expand pathways to generational wealth to Black people through access to financial literacy and career development coaching.
• Education:
  • Support Black students by increasing the amount of Black educators, supporting educators in underserved neighborhoods, and providing access to higher education opportunities.
• Narrative Change:
  • Increase awareness of the role race plays in our history to drive a deeper understanding of the consequences of racism in our everyday lives.
• Social Justice:
  • Grow the Black Community’s social and political capital by investing in and advocating for policy reform to increase voter registration and turnout.

AARP Community Challenge

The AARP Community Challenge grant program is part of the nationwide AARP Livable Communities initiative that helps communities become great places to live for residents of all ages. The program is intended to help communities make immediate improvements and jump-start long-term progress.

Since the program's debut in 2017, AARP has awarded $20.1 million through over 1,700 grants. Projects have been completed across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Flagship Grant

Flagship AARP Community Challenge grants have ranged from several hundred dollars for smaller, short-term activities to tens of thousands of dollars for larger projects. Since 2017, AARP has funded projects with an average grant amount of $10,000 to $12,000. Nine out of 10 grants (or 92 percent) are for $20,000 or less.

This year, grants will not exceed $25,000. AARP also reserves the right to award compelling projects of any dollar amount.

We are accepting applications for projects that benefit residents — especially those age 50 and older — in the following categories:

• Creating vibrant public places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities.
• Delivering a range of transportation and mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability and access to public and private transit
• Supporting a range of housing options that increases the availability of accessible and affordable choices
• Increasing digital connections and enhancing digital literacy skills of residents
• Supporting community resilience through investments that improve disaster management, preparedness and mitigation for residents

The Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation was born out of a desire to encourage children to reach their full potential. The story of the Finish Strong Foundation actually begins in 2003, when we were originally founded as the DMSE Children’s Fitness Foundation which focused on children’s fitness and encouraging healthy lifestyles. However, a healthy and fulfilling childhood goes beyond the physical.

In 2022, we reimagined our branding and mission to relaunch as the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation. This refresh spotlighted our long-held belief that children who increase their physical activity, receive help to improve their literacy, accomplish goals that heighten their self-esteem, and have a strong community behind them to support it all will build a solid foundation for a fulfilling life.

• Our mission at the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation is to inspire and empower youth across New England and beyond to increase physical activity, expand literacy, and build community and self-esteem though running, reading, and performing acts of kindness.

• Our vision is rooted in a belief that discovering a passion for physical activity, reading, and acts of kindness at a young age gives individuals self-confidence and self-respect, which empowers them to move forward—one step at a time.

• The Foundation is 100% focused on individuals of all ability levels to achieve their goals. Our eighteen-year track record of giving demonstrates our unwavering commitment to preparing individuals for future success and building vibrant communities.

We have two signature programs that bring our mission to life:

• The Dream Big Marathon dares kids to run 26 miles, read 26 books, and perform 26 acts of kindness. Inspired by the Dream Big children’s book, classrooms, scout troops and other groups of young people can take part in this nationwide experience. 
• Running Is A Right seeks to provide young people living with limb loss the access they need to recreational prosthetics. We’ve partnered with Shriners Hospitals for Children to produce special events across the country that engage and inspire.

Our Grant Program

Twice each year, the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation will award grants to organizations that share our mission to help youth discover a passion for running, reading, and acts of kindness, leading to an increase in their self-confidence and self-respect while empowering them to move forward—one step at a time.

Funding requests up to $5,000 will be considered.  We continue to prioritize organizations headquartered in New England or with significant impact in the New England region. Priority will also be given to geographic areas with low reading scores and high poverty levels.

Background:

In 2025, F5's STEM Education and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Grants are focused on supporting nonprofit organizations committed to helping build the pipeline of tomorrow’s female changemakers and future leaders, by investing in organizations and programs to increase access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and career opportunities for women and girls of color.

This year, we have introduced AI as a focus area for our granting, to reflect the rapidly changing environment in the fields of both STEM education and careers in STEM. We want to ensure everyone has access to AI’s transformative potential.

Grant Details

• Those served through the grant funding must be majority (>50%) women of color and/or girls of color.
• Grant funding is unrestricted
• Grant amount is a one-time $50,000 USD grant
• Nonprofits in all countries are eligible for funding

The National Book Fund (NBF) provides adult education and literacy programs throughout the United States with New Readers Press books and educational resources needed to support literacy initiatives.

NBF grants are made in the form of New Readers Press materials requested in the grant proposal.

The order form for New Readers Press materials available for download in the online application is the ONLY order form that will be accepted for this grant. Prices for materials are as indicated for both ProLiteracy members and nonmembers.

Grants typically average from $500 to $2,000, although greater or lesser funding amounts are considered. Grant requests significantly over the $2,000 level are not typically funded but will be considered, as long as a clear programmatic and financial need is stated in your application.

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.

Mission

Founded in 1943, the McKesson Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporate foundation dedicated to advancing health outcomes for all. The Foundation’s mission is to remove barriers to quality healthcare across North America, especially for vulnerable and underserved communities.

Strategic Giving Pillars and Areas of Focus

The McKesson Foundation champions health equity by partnering with nonprofit organizations to advance efforts aligned with three strategic giving pillars and corresponding areas of focus:

Reducing the Burden of Cancer

The American Cancer Society estimates 1.9M people will receive a cancer diagnosis in 2022 and two in five Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. These cancer diagnoses often create both a health and financial crisis for patients and their families. Studies show factors including race/ethnicity, health insurance status and income can affect the timing of a patient’s diagnosis and treatment, as well as their survival and financial impact. Working with our partners, we aim to reduce the risk of getting cancer and address socioeconomic barriers to care.

• Prevention
  • provide education and services to encourage people to adopt healthy diets, exercise regularly, avoid tobacco, and protect their skin.
• Screening and Treatment
  • increase awareness of the importance of screenings, early detection and timely treatment among vulnerable populations; provide free health screenings for patients and connect them to care.
• Financial/Logistical Assistance
  • connect uninsured and underinsured patients to programs providing low or no-cost co-pays and social determinants of health (SDOH) interventions, e.g., transportation, childcare, healthy food, home meal delivery; reduce the economic burden of low-income patients with emergency funds for rent, utilities and other household expenses.

Preparing Tomorrow's Healthcare Workforce

Patients report that they feel more heard and are more compliant with medical guidance when they share race/ethnicity with their healthcare practitioner. Nearly a third of the U.S. population is Black or Hispanic, yet the combined Black and Hispanic representation among oncologists is 8 percent and the combined Black, Indigenous and Hispanic representation among pharmacists is 10.7 percent. Closing the gap between diverse representation among the general population and among healthcare practitioners will improve health equity and patient outcomes.

• Oncology Professionals
  • increase underrepresented in medicine (URiM) student recruitment and retention;
  • increase all health professionals’ cultural competency to better serve a diverse patient population.
• Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians 
  • increase URiM recruitment and retention;
  • prepare students for broader pharmacist roles;
  • leverage pharmacists’ extensive training, community presence and public trust to serve vulnerable and rural patient populations.
• Student Engagement
  • increase students’ awareness of STEM careers;
  • support students’ financial literacy;
  • help prepare middle and high school students for higher education.

Accelerating Crisis Response

With the increased frequency and intensity of climate events, more people across North America need temporary or extended shelter, as well as food and medications, during and in the aftermath of crises. And with 10 percent of the population in both Canada and the U.S. living in food insecure households, programs to provide regular, nutritious meals to children, families and seniors can reduce chronic disease and improve long-term health.

• Preparedness
  • support relief agencies’ efforts to prepare for forecasted as well as unforeseen emergencies;
  • support relief agencies’ efforts to help people become Red Cross Ready.
• Disaster Relief and Recovery
  • mobilize resources to provide acute services, such as water, food, shelter, comfort kits, medicines, and healthcare for people affected by natural disasters or crises;
  • help families return to normalcy after a disaster.
• Medicine and Food
  • assist vulnerable individuals and communities by supporting acute and chronic care services that provide medicines and food.

Grant Guidelines and Focus AreasMission StatementThe Jewish Women's Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago seeks to expand and improve opportunities and choices in all aspects of Jewish women and girls' lives through strategic and effective grantmaking. The Jewish Women's Foundation endeavors to empower women as leaders, funders, and decision makers.Overall Considerations

• JWF Chicago funds with a "gender lens" and a "Jewish lens". We are interested in projects that recognize Jewish women and girls have unique needs both because of their gender, and their religious and cultural heritage.
• JWF Chicago is committed to improving the overall status of Jewish women and girls, and funds projects that promote social change by addressing at least one of the indicators described below:
• JWF Chicago considers an organization's holistic support of women and girls, as well as the specific project or program for which you are seeking a grant. This includes the extent to which Jewish women and girls are included among your leadership and in key staff positions.
• JWF Chicago supports organizations through general operating and project specific funding. General operating support will only be awarded to organizations focusing exclusively on promoting social change for Jewish women and girls.

Grantmaking Focus Areas

JWF Chicago funds in four main areas. Prospective grantees are invited to submit project and program proposals that relate to these targeted areas.

Annual Grants

One-year funding open to all applicants that meet JWF Chicago’s overall eligibility requirements as described below.

• There is no predetermined number of Annual Grants.
• JWF Chicago considers organizations for funding on a year-to-year basis.
• Previous funding does not guarantee continued funding.
• The minimum Annual Grant award is $15,000. There is no maximum grant amount.
• The average Annual Grant ranges between $20,000-$25,000.

National Endowment for Financial Education Grant

We provide funding for rigorous, innovative and actionable research that seeks to improve the public's financial well-being and has the potential to make a profound contribution to the field of financial education. We currently offer research grants and will soon expand our support to include directed research opportunities.

We welcome original research questions and replication studies that align with our funding priorities. Research projects must use rigorous empirical and/or theoretical analysis. Original data is welcome but not required.

Our grant cycle remains open to all eligible concepts, but we give preference to well-designed projects that align with any of the following four topic areas:

• Measurement: Studies that re-evaluate current financial literacy metrics and how financial literacy, behavior, perception, knowledge and skill can be measured more effectively.
• Systemic Inequality: Studies that investigate knowledge, skill and wealth disparities, especially among populations that are statistically more likely to experience systemic barriers to improving their financial well-being.
• Data and Methodological Limitations: Studies that examine bias—specifically as it pertains to personal finance— to help our field identify knowledge gaps and to strengthen research data and design by including traditionally less heard voices.
• Youth Focus: Studies that examine inconsistencies in exposure to financial education among youth in the U.S. as well as variations in financial socialization and education within family units.

The Center for Cooperative Media, a grant-funded program within the School of Communication and Media at Montclair State University was founded in 2012 in response to the downsizing of New Jersey news organizations and the changes in the ownership of regional public media. These shifts in the news and information landscape hurt the volume of local news available in a state that has historically had limited news coverage, due to its proximity to the major metropolitan areas of New York City and Philadelphia. With 564 municipalities packed into a densely populated state, New Jersey was—and is—ripe for innovation in local journalism.

The mission of the Center for Cooperative Media is to grow and strengthen local journalism and support an informed society in New Jersey and beyond. The Center coordinates statewide and regional reporting, connecting more than 300 local news and information providers through its flagship project, the NJ News Commons. We offer innovative professional development seminars, with training sessions on topics such as data and investigative journalism, fact-checking, OPRA, podcasting, video production, digital sales, and business planning, among many others. We also offer one-on-one coaching. The Center’s research agenda is focused on issues impacting local journalism, especially collaboration and sustainability questions.

About Civic Science Media

At its core, civic science media is created when journalists and other storytellers work intentionally with diverse community members and scientists to collaboratively address issues of shared interest. Civic science media serves as an important bridge between scientists or scientific organizations and the people most impacted by scientific discovery, and promotes a dynamic conversation between scientists, media, and the public. The goal is both to inform and support active participation in solving or addressing community-identified concerns related to science, including climate change, public health, and artificial intelligence.

Civic Science Media Project Funding

The Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University is delighted to announce a funding opportunity for civic science media projects, thanks to support from the Rita Allen Foundation. The awards aim to accelerate civic science media collaborations across the United States with funding and coaching.

This is the second open call for pilot awards in support of projects that can bridge the gap between scientists, media, and communities, with a focus on increasing public participation in science, expanding public deliberation about emerging science and creating opportunities for science to be informed by diverse communities.

• The award builds on a global research project conducted in 2020 and 2021 by the Center that studied how and why journalists and civil society organizations around the world collaborate to achieve and increase impact. Led by Dr. Sarah Stonbely and funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the research showed that journalists have become more willing to partner with civil society organizations in order to achieve tangible impact on issues such as corruption, governance, climate and environment, and human rights.
• With new openness among journalists and media makers to partner with civil society and community organizations, rapid advances in scientific discovery and debate, and increased polarization across communities, there is an urgent need to create a culture of civic science — where all people feel a sense of belonging in, and benefit from, the practice of science so they can inform meaningfully deliberation about society's most pressing problems.
• Rita Allen Foundation recently published the industry’s first in-depth analysis of civic science media, in a report that highlights a broad range of civic science media initiatives from across the country. The landscape scan showcases a range of civic science media projects and insights from leaders in this emergent field; potential award applicants should familiarize themselves with the paper.

The Award

A total of 10 awards up to $15,000 each are available. This opportunity is not meant to fund long-term, multi-year partnerships, but rather short-term pilots that:

• Foster ongoing, multidirectional dialogue between media organizations, scientists, and local communities.
• Include direct community participation in the scientific and/or media-creation process, ensuring that local concerns and perspectives substantially influence the conversation.
• Enhance science literacy by making complex scientific topics more accessible and engaging.

In addition to funding, participants will receive hands-on coaching, including regular check-ins, peer-to-peer meetings, and tailored support to align goals, address challenges, and ensure robust and impactful community engagement.

Priority areas include artificial intelligence, climate science, and neuroscience, which align with the broader goals of the Rita Allen Foundation’s overall civic science program.

The awards are intended to cover the cost of the applicant’s and co-collaborator’s time, project materials, equipment, and associated production/editing costs to complete the project. Audience participation incentives are also encouraged; applicants should ensure they are not being extractive when it comes to involving members of the public.