Seed Grants for Nonprofits

NOTE: The Intel Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests. However, organizations based in the United States may share information about programs that align with the Foundation's strategic focus areas.

Our Priorities

Promoting Stem Education

We believe in the power of knowledge and technology to transform lives and enable people to solve problems with purpose.

Opportunity for All

A strong foundation in math, technology, science, and computer engineering can empower young people with skills and confidence to launch a life of learning, career success, and contributions to society. We are targeting our work on STEM education to advance gender and racial equity, with a commitment to expand technology access to fuel human potential in every community.

Intel® She Will Connect

The Intel® She Will Connect initiative connects middle school girls to hands-on technology experiences that inspire them to become innovators and encourage their interests in technology, engineering, and computer science. Through new partnerships and collaborations, we are expanding the program across the U.S. and into other countries.

WiSci STEAM Camps

Women in Science (WiSci) Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) camps—developed through a partnership between Intel, the U.S. Department of State, and the United Nations Girl Up campaign—aim to bridge inequity gaps in technology. The Intel Foundation supports the camps, where Intel volunteers use Intel Future Skills curriculum and enable girls around the world to experience robotics, drones, coding, AI, leadership training, mentorship, and friendship.

Responding to Humanitarian Crises and Natural Disasters

We form strong partnerships and take collective action to support social justice, respond to humanitarian crises, and provide disaster relief.

Making It Count

We match employees’ donations to support communities when crises occur, and provide options for employees to make their donations count where and when they are needed most. Our goal is to achieve specific outcomes and long-term impact. 

Battling COVID-19

The Intel Foundation donated $4 million toward COVID-19 relief programs focused on education, health, community development, and economic support. In addition, the Foundation matched $2 million donated by Intel employees, who also generously contributed their time and energy to serve communities throughout the pandemic.

Taking A Stand For Racial Justice

To help address social injustice and promote anti-racism, the Intel Foundation initiated “Standing on the Sidelines Is Not an Option,” a $500,000 employee donation match campaign supporting the National Urban League, the Center for Policing Equity, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and Amnesty International.

Rebuilding After Disasters

Through spotlight donation campaigns, the Foundation provides relief and matches employee contributions to help rebuild communities hit by floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters. In 2020, for example, employees and the Foundation provided an outpouring of support for communities hit by wildfires across the Western U.S.

Amplifying Employee Generosity

The Intel Foundation amplifies the impact of employees’ contributions to communities around the world.

Uplifting Communities

Our employees generously donate their skills, technology expertise, funds, and millions of hours of service to tackle environmental challenges, improve education, and help uplift people. Through grants and matching programs, the Intel Foundation ignites and fosters employees’ passion for philanthropy and desire to help solve global challenges.

Donation Matching

The Foundation matches charitable donations of US Intel employees and retirees to eligible nonprofit organizations or schools, up to $10,000 annually per employee. This program helps communities rise while increasing employees’ ability to support the causes they care about most.  

Volunteer Matching

We extend the impact of volunteerism by donating $10 per volunteer hour to qualified nonprofits and schools where Intel employees and retirees donate at least 20 hours of service in a year. This program helps to recognize employees and give them an opportunity to earn money for organizations that are meaningful to them.

Seed Grants

The Intel Foundation awards seed grants of up to $5,000 to support employee-initiated community service projects. Projects are selected based on their originality, potential impact, and expected outcomes.

Volunteer Heroes

Each year, 10 Intel super volunteers each receive a $2,500 grant for the charitable organization or school of their choice. One overall winner, chosen from among these 10 finalists, receives an additional $7,500 grant for his or her designated organization.

About Seeding Solutions

Launched in 2017, Seeding Solutions is our annual competitive grant program that supports bold research in any of our six Challenge Areas or builds bridges between our Challenge Areas. FFAR awards up to 10 grants ranging between $300,000 to $1 million. Grantees must provide matching funds from non-federal partners.

We support innovative projects that address challenges in food supply and agroecosystem management through novel partnerships. Such collaborations provide opportunities to engage stakeholders as integral members of the research team and increase the likelihood of a project’s application beyond its scope.

NOTE: NMV has changed to a rolling deadline submission process, however, we will have two suggested deadlines each season. Priority will be given to those submitted by that season’s recommended submission date. 

NMV's Continuous Investment Cycle

Our Criteria/Focus

New Media Ventures funds for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations building progressive power. Our primary focus areas are media & narrative, organizing & advocacy, and elections & civic engagement.

Scalable with a proof of concept

We prefer ventures with an existing user base (even if they are only beta users), demonstrated proof of concept, and a clear plan for generating revenue and/or growth. In some cases, we will fund ventures with little or no user base if there is compelling research proving the efficacy of the idea, or a clear opportunity to build power.

Sustainable model and impact

We have a preference for work that is sustainable and builds progressive power. We’d like to invest in ventures who expect to generate revenue, although they may not now, or who have a plan for a sustainable operating model. Note: We do not invest in one-off media projects like documentaries, although we might invest in a company building a sustainable business model for making documentaries!

Strong, diverse team

We look for leadership teams that have both the technical and business talent to create something great and who understand their market intimately. We are especially interested in democratizing access to capital and encourage people who have been historically overlooked in the startup community to apply. In our experience, founders with direct experience of the challenges they are working to solve are best positioned to do so.

Progressive & mission-driven

NMV is mission-driven and works to invest in entrepreneurs and activists building progressive power in the United States. We care about environmental protection, economic equality, racial justice, a thriving democracy, and more. The startups we support are mission-driven and seeking to make the world a better place.

What support do selected organizations receive?

$50K to $150K in funding. We typically make investments in for-profits (most often via convertible notes) and give unrestricted grants to nonprofits. Additionally, NMV supports the portfolio through:

• A network of founders where leaders ask questions, identify problems, and surface solutions in community.
• Webinars and one-on-one coaching to help new leaders navigate organizational and operational challenges, like setting goals and managing cash on hand.
• Catalyzing additional funding by connecting them to donors and investors at our flagship event, the NMV Summit, and at other times of the year when possible.
• We’re currently refining our program in response to feedback from current portfolio members and look forward to rolling out the next iteration of our support program in the months ahead.

Who Should Apply?

New Media Ventures funds across various fiscal structures, including for profit and nonprofit.. We’re looking for scalable solutions from diverse, mission-driven teams that are working to advance progressive change. We’ll consider supporting:

• Early stage ventures working to build and scale solutions in this context
• New programs and / or collaborations of larger organizations that are positioned to develop new tech tools or other cutting edge approaches that could be transformative for the progressive movement

NMV funding is best suited for early-stage projects or startups (pre-seed/seed stage) for which a one-time investment of $50K to $150K can make a meaningful difference. Our mission is to support entrepreneurs and activists who are strengthening our democracy, building progressive political power, and/or empowering historically marginalized communities.

Ultimately, we hope to find the best technology and innovations and love to be surprised by things we haven’t seen or considered before. You should look at our portfolio and our most recent investment slate to get a sense of the breadth of organizations we support.

Swift Foundation Grant

The Marion E. Kenworthy-Sarah H. Swift Foundation was established by Dr. Kenworthy and her long time associate Sarah H. Swift, MSW, in 1962. Its purpose was and remains to advance mental and emotional health of young people under age 21 by making grants to support innovative programs that advance the mental health of young people through social work, psychiatry, preventive psychiatry and community mental health.

The Foundation emphasizes seed money for new programs as well as support for programs whose effectiveness is established. Research projects in the foundation’s area of interest are also accepted.

During their lifetimes Dr. Kenworthy and Ms. Swift sought to build bridges between psychiatry and social work with commitment to teamwork and collaboration among helping professions. In this spirit the foundation supports development and improvement of understanding in all mental health areas, including preventative psychiatry, that affect the welfare and emotional health of young people.

Funding Priorities

Funding priorities of the foundation, which may be modified from time to time, include but are not limited to:

• Start up or seed money for projects in the Foundation’s area of interest.
• Service proposals, particularly for replicable programs that involve needy populations of children and adolescents.
• Research proposals that address important issues in the mental health and welfare of children and adolescents.
• Advocacy proposals that show promise of having a policy impact in a given area of psychiatry, social work or child welfare.
• Prevention or early intervention projects that address mental health issues or the emotional well being of children.
• Building projects and drug prevention and treatment projects are not funded.

FRD Foundation

The FRD Foundation was created on April 4, 1963 by Frances R. Dewing. She  received her BA from Wellesley College in 1900 and Ph.D. from Radcliffe College in 1906. The monies of the FRD Foundation are to be used to provide "seed money" for intellectual stimulation of young children.

Frances Hall Rousmaniere Dewing was interested in innovative ideas and philosophy. She felt that young children are very open to trying new ways of thinking. The focus is on children up to grade 6.

The FRD Foundation is a small, non-profit, charitable organization that supports innovative ways of teaching young children. Approximately 20 to 30 grants are made per year.

Funding Priorities

The Frances R. Dewing Foundation supports innovation in early childhood education. Emphasis is placed on new, untried or unusual projects and programs that if successful could have a snowball or ripple effect benefiting the larger educational or local community.  Generally such projects and programs need seed money to develop and try new educational methods and tools. The foundation provides seed money in the form of small grants, generally ranging from $1000 to $25,000. The foundation prefers to provide a significant portion of any project it funds. 

Consideration is only given to projects concerned with early childhood education, specifically for children up to sixth grade. Emphasis is placed on new, untried or unusual educational organizations or institutions which endeavor to introduce new educational methods, again, aimed at the education of young children. (NOTE: Day Care projects must be specific and innovative.)

The grant is made for a specific identifiable need. The Trustees consider applications for educational projects or programs aimed directly at children up to sixth grade - NOT parent educations, staff recruitment, endowments, etc. The Trustees of the Frances R. Dewing Foundation decided to narrow the scope of the Foundation guidelines, interpreting early childhood education in real terms, thus excluding educational programs aimed at teens or adults. This was necessitated by the overwhelming number of applications and our limited funds. 

The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation is an independent self-funding 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting activities that help meet the educational and health needs of today's society and future generations. For decades, the Foundation has been a proud supporter of programs in our state that help advance science, health and education.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that includes community leaders and GSK corporate executives. The day to day operations are overseen by the staff.

The Foundation was the vision of Glaxo chairman and chief executive, the late Joseph J. Ruvane, Jr. Mr. Ruvane brought the company from Florida to the Research Triangle Park and with it his passion for community. His vision was to establish an annually budgeted corporate giving program and a stable, long-term source of support for our state. In 1996, the company ceased funding the foundation. The foundation's growth is based solely on investment and market growth derived from its own independent endowment.

Since our establishment in 1986, we have awarded $68.9 million in grants over 30 years! We pay approximately $3 million in grants each year to North Carolina nonprofit organizations.

Traditional Grants

The Foundation provides grants of $25,000 and above to organizations working to help meet the educational and health needs of today’s society and future generations.

The Foundation’s primary focus is to provide seed funds for new and worthwhile educational programs. This policy does not preclude the consideration and possible funding of ongoing projects. This policy does not preclude the consideration and possible funding of ongoing projects. Proposals may be submitted for one year of funding or multi-year funding with a maximum duration of five years.

Ordinarily, the board does not provide funds to programs that benefit a limited geographical region. The board may make an exception to this policy when a program has the potential to transcend its community’s geographic boundaries or is established as a pilot program to be replicated on a larger scale.

Our Mission

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

Specific focus is placed on:

• Humanitarian Support; 
• Disadvantaged Children;
• Education;
• Arts and Culture;
• Environmental Causes;
• Animals.

Guiding Philosophy

The Foundation believes that it can provide the highest value to the grant recipients where gifts provide a start or a “seed” that can provide a benefit over time. Accordingly, the Foundation will generally give preference to those organizations, individuals, and/or initiatives that will stand the test of time, will inspire others to get involved, and will be a manifestation of our mission.

It is the Foundation’s belief that its philanthropic assets will have the greatest impact on smaller and non-political charitable organizations, so it is likely that most grants will be made to these types of organizations. However, this focus is not exclusive and the Foundation will consider organizations of any size that otherwise meet its mission, guiding principles, and grant-making guidelines. It is intended that end-users get 100% of the charitable contribution with no pass-through of any funds to another organization or person not directly responsible for the use of the money as understood by the Hansen Family Foundation. Additionally, recipient organizations must have at least a 75% giving vs. operating cost ratio to be considered. An organization with a lower ratio requires a 100% BOD-affirming vote to be considered.

There is no geographic limitation of the recipient organization or individual (either where it is located or where the Foundation’s involvement may occur). As a practical matter, however, the Foundation may be better able to include gifts of its time and talents where the charitable recipient is located where Board members live or work.

The Foundation seeks charitable recipients that:

• Share its value and beliefs
• Embrace the Foundation’s commitment and potential involvement
• Want to be accountable and demonstrate results (where the Foundation can cause effective change)

In keeping with the Foundation’s commitment to organizations it supports, gifts will normally be multi-year. One time grants will not be excluded, but these types of grants would not generally demonstrate the level of commitment and partnership that the Foundation seeks to provide to its grantees.

The Foundation will select its charitable recipients with great care and will exercise patience to find the right organizations, individuals, and initiatives that meet the selection criteria of the board. This care will be evidenced by the personal involvement of the board in the nomination, due-diligence, and on-site review process when selecting the recipients.

The Foundation will follow sound financial practices that support the long-term missions and annual objectives of the Foundation.

These practices include:

• Have wise investment and spending policies so that the foundation will grow and thereby provide more money for worthy causes
• Be committed to restrained administrative spending to ensure that foundation principal continues to grow
• Grow in resources and gifts (to be able to increase total grant size each year)
• Be able to see that Foundation has achieved leverage with its gifts and that the organizations supported have truly benefited within the scope of their mission statement.

In addition, we expect the Foundation to be actively engaged with, and be committed to, the organizations and individuals it supports. This engagement and commitment may include monetary and/or non-monetary gifts by some or all of the Board members.

Our Pledge

Infinite Hero’s pledge to those who have risked their lives is to reward their sacrifice and bravery with support that articulates our gratitude. We partner with like-minded organizations to provide access to innovative rehabilitation programs that address the unique needs of veterans and their families.

The measure of our impact is positive outcomes, not merely gestures. Like the heroes we serve, we refuse to shy away from a challenge. Where boundaries exist, we will plow through them. Where strategies and solutions have not yet been found, we will create them.

We will marshal the resources of technology, community, medical research and mental health care to foster collaborative innovation and affect positive change for our heroes in need.

Foundation Inspiration

Some heroes do not come home to their families because they have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. Many more make it back but carry physical and mental injury.

It is the responsibility of us all to provide the therapies and resources they need to carry on with the scars of their sacrifice and experience the quality of life they deserve.

Front Line Issues

Infinite Hero Foundation believes that the service-related mental and physical health challenges our military heroes and their families face are foundational issues. In the case of physical injury, the veteran family must undergo extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury and other mental injuries are much more insidious and can go undetected for several months or more before the symptoms drive the individual or family to seek treatment. Innovations are needed to develop more effective treatments and ensure accessibility for every military hero and family regardless of geography or resources.

Grant Program

Since its inception in 2012, Infinite Hero Foundation has awarded more than $3 million dollars in funding and support to seventeen different veteran service organizations offering innovative and effective programs or treatments for service-related mental and physical injuries. 

We see IHF as an investment fund for nonprofit entities pushing the envelope on developing effective treatments for heroes’ service-related mental and physical injuries.

We invest in and partner with like-minded organizations that create cutting edge technologies, methods, practices, or products which advance the front lines of combat against the mental and/or physical challenges faced by military heroes and their families.

The return on investment we seek is not financial, but societal, benefiting Service Members of all branches, Veterans and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.

We provide the seed money and support for big ideas, for a limited time.

Grant Sizes and Types

Program grants between $25,000 to $100,000 per cycle, per year will be considered based on need and an approved budget. Infinite Hero funds must be applied directly to program costs and cannot be used for fundraising or administrative overhead.