Best Local Government Grants in Virgin Islands

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups working on civic engagement, financial literacy, housing insecurity, technology education, or vibrant community programs in the U.S., including the Virgin Islands, can apply for funding. Affirm Cares supports scalable, measurable initiatives such as voter education, neighborhood revitalization, small business development, and K–12 technology access on a rolling basis.

Local government agencies and conservation-focused organizations in the Virgin Islands can seek funding to expand technical assistance staff supporting land stewardship and producer services. National Association of Conservation Districts provides U.S. and territory partners with resources for conservation planning, outreach, and education that strengthen civic engagement, environmental resilience, and support for historically underserved producers and Tribal conservation goals.

With a mission to support youth-led service, Youth Service America provides Virgin Islands young people with funding to design and lead community projects. Youth ages 5–25 can apply for US $250 - US $500 to run civic engagement, service, advocacy, or social-emotional learning projects that engage diverse youth volunteers.

Libraries of all types in the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories can receive US $2,500 to fund community-building programs and civic engagement activities. American Library Association’s Peggy Barber Tribute Grant supports program-related expenses like supplies, promotion, staff time, and partner fees for initiatives that strengthen community ties and use libraries as third spaces.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. economic mobility, inequality, or civic and political engagement can receive US $35,000 - US $50,000 for one-year projects, including those based in the Virgin Islands. Russell Sage Foundation provides support for innovative, theory-driven studies using diverse methods and data, prioritizing underrepresented scholars and work on structural barriers to opportunity.

Nonprofit public charities with 501(c)(3) status working on national democracy, civic engagement, or civil liberties initiatives can seek funding for programs such as voting rights, money-in-politics reform, and gun violence prevention. The Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund supports projects implemented across the U.S., which may include efforts benefiting the Virgin Islands.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on civic engagement and voter participation initiatives in the Virgin Islands and across the U.S. may be eligible for funding to support year-round organizing and democratic participation work. Park Foundation supports efforts such as voter education, mobilization, protection of voting rights, and combating voter suppression through its Civic Participation Program.

Youth-led teams planning civic engagement or community leadership projects in the Virgin Islands and across the U.S. can receive up to US $4,500 in stipends and project support through the Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness Fellowship. Focused on civic engagement and youth leadership, the Institute for Citizens & Scholars invites diverse young changemakers to apply.

Local governments and other eligible entities working on civic engagement and leadership programs in rural U.S. communities can access funding through Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ Trust for Civic Life. Civic Experiment Grants provide up to US $25,000 for nonpartisan, community-led projects that spark civic participation and build long-lasting local civic infrastructure, including communities similar to the Virgin Islands’ rural areas.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing communications, journalism, leadership, or historic preservation can apply for the Jeannett Slesnick Community Spirit Scholarship, awarding US $500 - US $2,500 toward four-year college tuition. Students interested in civic engagement fields may be eligible if they meet the Foundation’s academic, financial need, and enrollment requirements.

Local government and grassroots civic organizations in the Virgin Islands working on nonviolent social justice activism may be eligible for rapid response funding for urgent organizing needs. A.J. Muste Memorial Institute supports U.S.-based groups with up to US $5,000 to seize timely political opportunities through direct actions and civic engagement efforts.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, eligible tribal entities, and select government institutions planning major capital projects can seek more than US $50,000 for construction, renovation, or property acquisition through the M J Murdock Charitable Trust. Focused on capacity-building across arts, education, health, environment, and civic engagement, these grants prioritize projects benefiting the Pacific Northwest and may include initiatives serving the Virgin Islands.

Virgin Islands local government partners and civic-focused nonprofits seeking new equipment or technology for community-serving programs may be eligible for support; awards are typically more than US $50,000. The M J Murdock Charitable Trust prioritizes 501(c)(3) organizations and select public entities advancing civic engagement, education, health, environment, arts, or scientific research, primarily in the Pacific Northwest.

Local government and other eligible public entities in the Virgin Islands can access M J Murdock Charitable Trust support for strategic civic engagement and community service projects. Grants of more than US $50,000 help expand programs or add staff in areas like civic engagement and education, health, environmental stewardship, and nonprofit capacity-building, primarily when at least half of the project’s impact reaches the Pacific Northwest.

Local government and other 501(c)(3) organizations in the Virgin Islands can apply for more than US $10,000 from the James B and Lois R Archer Charitable Foundation to support arts, civic engagement, education, health, or human services programs. Funding may cover specific projects, capital needs, or general operations for community-focused initiatives.

Local government and 501(c)(3) organizations in the Virgin Islands working on civic engagement, education, arts and culture, health, or human services can seek funding for programs, capital projects, or general operations. Grants from James B and Lois R Archer Charitable Foundation provide up to US $10,000 and are available across the U.S., with some preference for West Texas.

The ACS Congressional Fellowship Program offers trained scientists the chance to engage in the policy-making process, providing critical information to lawmakers on science-related issues. Each year, two fellows are placed in the offices of Senators, Representatives, or Committees, with the aim of educating them on how science policy is formed. Candidates with a strong background in chemical sciences or engineering are encouraged to apply, regardless of whether they hold a doctorate.

The Amanda Reed Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Amanda Reed, a Rockford resident and 2001 Boylan Central Catholic High School graduate, who tragically lost her life due to domestic violence. This scholarship supports individuals committed to stopping domestic abuse and promoting community safety. Applicants are encouraged to provide references from those familiar with their work in domestic violence prevention. Academic performance will be considered moderately in the selection process, fostering a compassionate and proactive community.

The Bezos Scholars Program, supported by the Bezos Family Foundation, is a transformative, no-cost leadership development initiative designed for high school juniors. Each year, selected scholars from the U.S. and Africa engage in a year-long program, developing leadership skills through civic engagement and community projects. Participants receive personalized college advising, funding for their projects, and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Aspen Ideas Festival, fostering a diverse community of changemakers committed to making a difference.

The Thriving Community Impact Fund offers grants up to $2,499 to support local programs that enhance community health and well-being. This initiative by Gundersen Health emphasizes collaboration, focusing on areas such as physical and mental health, poverty alleviation, and neighborhood improvements. Organizations like non-profits and government agencies can apply for funding during a rolling application period, with decisions made monthly. The fund aims to empower communities and address health inequities through impactful partnerships.

Alliance for Social Trust: Trust in Practice Awards

Trust is the foundation of vibrant, resilient communities and healthy civic life. Across the country, local and national organizations are demonstrating the profound ways trust shapes our collective well-being—strengthening relationships between neighbors, cultivating confidence in institutions, and enabling people to work together to solve shared challenges. These efforts are often rooted in the knowledge and leadership of those closest to the work. 

The Trust in Practice Awards support non-profit organizations that are collaborating on new initiatives to build trust across local or virtual communities. Grantees will be part of a national network dedicated to fostering trust through the Alliance for Social Trust’s programs and storytelling platforms. Award recipients will also participate in the annual Trust in Practice Summit to celebrate the work of trust builders.

Proteus Fund

Proteus Fund partners with foundations, individual donors, activists, and other allies to work strategically towards racial, gender, queer, and disability justice and an inclusive, fully-representative democracy. We curate an ecosystem of mutually reinforcing, aligned donor collaboratives and fiscally sponsored projects that deploy a creative array of strategies and tactics to further this vision.

RISE Together Fund: Small Grants

Call For Application

RISE Together Fund (RTF), an initiative of Proteus Fund, is announcing an open call for inquiries for our 2026 Small Grants Fund for U.S. public charity organizations or fiscally sponsored projects of such organizations, that support Black, African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian (BAMEMSA) communities.

As part of RTF’s commitment to prioritizing the needs and sustainability of the fields we collectively support, RTF will provide organizations with general operating grants to allow for organizational flexibility when possible. 

About RTF's Small Grants Fund

BAMEMSA movements have a strong history of organizing and collaboration, and are well poised with the knowledge, learning and experience to build an inclusive, multiracial democratic future and respond to the current unconstitutional threats facing the country. Through this fund, RTF aims to resource community power building organizations that use a multiplicity of approaches to create change rooted in the strength and leadership of BAMEMSA movements.

RTF supports groups that build community power, strengthen movement bases, defend civil and human rights including freedom of protest, speech, religion, and association, end the criminalization and surveillance of our communities, and respond to the rise in xenophobia, Islamophobia, and hate. RTF values groups that are intersectional in their approach and have or are developing sustainable long-term strategies to support BAMEMSA communities and movements.

Priority Issue Areas

• Protecting and advancing the rights of immigrant and refugee BAMEMSA communities by responding to harmful policies and practices, and strengthening community-led advocacy at the local, state, or federal level.

• Mobilizing BAMEMSA communities for nonpartisan civic engagement and election protection by increasing nonpartisan voter participation, combating voter suppression, and building sustained civic infrastructure ahead of, during, and between elections.

• Advocating for U.S. policy changes that end violence in Gaza and the West Bank by elevating Palestinian voices, influencing public discourse, and engaging in advocacy that shifts U.S. political, diplomatic, or funding decisions.

• Challenging harmful national security frameworks and their impacts on BAMEMSA communities by documenting, exposing, and organizing against surveillance, Islamophobia, and policies rooted in the War on Terror, particularly in the context of 9/11’s 25-year legacy.

• Responding to emerging opportunities and threats affecting BAMESMA communities such as influencing policy developments, addressing civic issues in the U.S., or developing narratives to change public discourse. This includes work addressing weaponizing issues around bodily autonomy and LGBTQ+ identity to fracture movements and communities.

Priority Strategies

RTF values organizations that take an intersectional approach and are intentionally building long-term community power. We prioritize support for groups that strengthen movement ecosystems, deepen their base, and defend the rights of BAMEMSA communities through the following strategies:

• Convening, Collaboration, and Movement Coordination: Bringing together organizations, leaders, and coalitions to align shared goals, coordinate strategies to advance shared visions, and reduce fragmentation across the field. This includes facilitating strategic convenings, developing platforms for collaboration, building cross-issue or cross-regional partnerships, developing shared agendas or issue campaigns, and strengthening trust and alignment among movement actors.
• Community Power-Building, Base Building, Civic Engagement, and Organizing: Expanding and activating a grassroots base within BAMEMSA communities to drive collective action and policy change. This includes community leadership development, public education campaigns, community organizing, nonpartisan voter engagement and election protection, and ongoing nonpartisan civic participation efforts that build sustained community power.
• Legal and Policy Advocacy Infrastructure: Advancing legal strategies and policy advocacy that expand and protect the rights of BAMEMSA communities. This includes impact litigation, legal advocacy, know-your-rights efforts, policy development, and advocacy at a local, state, or federal level.
• Communications and Narrative Strategy: Shaping public discourse and advancing narratives that reflect the experiences, dignity, and demands of BAMEMSA communities. This includes developing messaging strategies, producing and amplifying media, countering harmful or divisive narratives (including those targeting immigrants, religious minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and reproductive rights), and increasing the voice share of BAMEMSA community members.
• Bolstering Movement Infrastructure: Strengthening the internal capacity and long-term sustainability of organizations and the broader movement ecosystem. This includes organizations supporting leadership development and pipelines, data and technology infrastructure, security and safety, and other core functions that enable groups to operate effectively and respond to evolving challenges.

Limited funding may be available for requests above $25,000.

U.S. Civil Society Microgrants

We seek to support projects that engage Pulitzer Center journalism to amplify the voices of affected communities, foster public debate, and drive meaningful audience engagement with our focus areas.

Audience engagement has been at the core of the Pulitzer Center’s work since its founding in 2006. In addition to grants and fellowships that facilitate breakthrough journalism, we support initiatives that connect the reporting to the audiences that need it the most. Our goal is pursuing real-world impact: engaging and mobilizing communities, increasing understanding and connection, and influencing decisions locally and globally. 

This microgrant aims to support civil society organizations and groups in the United States to utilize Pulitzer Center-supported reporting as part of projects that contribute to a more informed and empowered community.

 For this grant cycle, we are seeking grant proposals for civic engagement projects to be completed by early December 2026 that focus on one of the following issues:

• Climate and the environment, with a focus on U.S fisheries and fishing communities or climate and labor
• Information and Artificial Intelligence
• Global health, with specific focus on mental well-being or connections to the Global South

The objective is to use Pulitzer Center-supported journalism as the inspiration for the projects supported by this civil society microgrant. By leveraging this reporting, we expect to build projects that amplify the voices of affected communities, foster public debate, and drive meaningful audience engagement that will lead to impactful conversations in communities in the U.S. and beyond.

Grants range from US$2,000 to US$4,000. Project proposals can support existing activities or support the launch of new activities. 

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Oriole Foundation / Michael Oakes Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Oriole Foundation. The Michael Oakes Memorial Scholarship award intends to honor late superintendent, Mike Oakes.

Mike Oakes's spirit of generosity, community service, and passion for education is commemorated by this Oriole Foundation award. With an emphasis on creating a positive community impact, this scholarship recognizes the value of individual and organizational service within the community.

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association

The Foundation of the Federal Bar Association provides the best way for practitioners to give back to the Federal legal community. Chartered by Congress in 1954, the Foundation serves people in communities across the United States through its generous grants, scholarships, and programming.

Our Mission: The Foundation’s mission is to:

• Promote and support legal research and education;
• Advance the science of jurisprudence;
• Facilitate the administration of justice;
• Foster improvements in the practice of Federal law

Foundation Grants

Foundation grants support community service projects and civics programs which comply with the Foundation’s mission to promote and support legal research and education; advance the science of jurisprudence; facilitate the administration of justice; and foster improvements in the practice of Federal law.

Civics Education Grant

The Civics Grant Program is designed to support projects and initiatives that promote a wider public understanding of democratic principles, the judicial system and the rule of law. Through targeted funding, the program empowers FBA chapters, sections, divisions, national standing committees (FBA entity), and other organizations to develop and support projects in their communities that foster public understanding of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, particularly among younger Americans.

Applicants may only receive one (1) Foundation grant per year.

Grant Guidelines

To advance its mission to build a responsible and equitable technology ecosystem, the Kapor Foundation makes strategic grants across three focus areas: (1) Computing Education, (2) Innovation, and (3) Governance.

Within each focus area, we fund research on critical topics at the intersection of racial equity and tech, capacity-building that strengthens coalitions and movement-building infrastructure, and policy advocacy that drives systemic change.

Funding Priorities

We fund organizations and initiatives aligned with our core focus areas:

Given advances in Al, a new vision of education is urgently needed — one that ensures students are equipped with the technical skills to build emerging technologies and the critical skills to navigate their socio-technical implications. We fund computing education initiatives across K-12, postsecondary, and alternative pathways that expand computing participation at scale, shift policy to ensure equitable access, and expand the pipeline of educators prepared to teach computing.

2. 

Al is being designed, developed, and deployed rapidly, yet the communities most affected by its impacts are largely excluded from its creation and subsequent economic benefits. We support organizations and individuals that build responsible Al technologies, leverage technology to close gaps in access and opportunity, and invest in initiatives and coalitions that advance responsible Al in the entrepreneurship and venture capital ecosystems.

3.

As Al adoption accelerates, bolder approaches to regulation are necessary to protect marginalized communities from technological harm, expand economic opportunity, and ensure the benefits of technology reach everyone. We support efforts that build awareness of key policy issues, develop policy agendas, and mobilize coalitions.

For 2026, our priority advocacy areas are: 1) computing education, 2) algorithmic bias, 3) Al safeguards for children, 4) data center development, and 5) surveillance and civil rights.