Best Public Policy Grants in Washington

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, or fiscally sponsored projects, building progressive political power in Washington can apply for Washington Progress Fund’s core grants, offering US $25,000 - US $100,000 for long-term organizing infrastructure. Funding supports leadership development, public policy, communications, movement capacity, and organizing and elections, with a focus on BIPOC-led, anti-racist, statewide power-building.

Washington-based nonprofit organizations and Sovereign Nations running community-led policy or political campaigns in Washington can apply for Inatai Foundation’s Campaigns, Litigation, Issues & Policy Fund. Funding supports ballot measures, litigation, legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, and polling that build community power and advance racial justice and equity, with priority for rural, disability-, youth-, and immigrant- and queer-led efforts.

Washington organizations and coalitions leading community-driven public policy and racial justice campaigns can access funding through Inatai Foundation’s CLIP Fund. Support may cover ballot measures, litigation, legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, and polling for campaigns within the state, with emphasis on power-building in communities of color and areas often overlooked by funders.

Nonprofit organizations in Washington working in public policy, education, youth development, community building, arts, culture, museums, or immediate needs can apply for grants from the Robert D and Marcia H Randall Charitable Trust. Funding supports programs that improve and enrich lives in the Pacific Northwest, particularly for underprivileged communities and values-based initiatives.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities serving adults with workforce or small business programs, including those in Washington, can apply for Truist Foundation grants of more than US $15,000. With a mission to advance economic mobility, Truist Foundation provides nonprofits with support for career pathways, job readiness, and strengthening diverse and women-owned small businesses.

Request for Proposals: Launchpad Funds

Background

Coefficient Giving is increasing its giving, primarily to prepare for the billions of dollars in new philanthropic capital that may become available in the coming years. Our increased giving in global health and wellbeing is a temporary surge, with two objectives: to smooth funding and pull forward initiatives we expect to be cost-effective, and to help create an ecosystem of regrantors and implementers with the capacity to allocate this new money as cost-effectively as possible. Additional context on our scaling is provided in this blog post. 

With new potential capital on the way, we want to increase the supply of actionable and fundable plans to address some of the world’s hardest problems. We’re looking for specific, credible strategies to convert funding into measurable progress. Our ideal funds are:

However, we are also open to funds that are thematic and don’t have a quantified goal — for example, a fund organized around a promising type of intervention. Such funds still need to be led by a single, identifiable person who is accountable for the fund’s direction.

Through this request for EOIs, we aim to seed or scale Launchpad Funds that can grow to $100m+ over the next few years. We don’t seek scale for its own sake; it is a proxy for the ambition of the fund, and a signal that the problem is large and tractable enough to justify deploying significantly more capital over time.

What we will fund

• We expect to support established ideas that have either not yet secured anchor support or could significantly scale beyond their existing level of funding.
• This funding can cover operating expenses, but we expect most of it to be used for activities that make progress on the fund’s goals — whether through regranting or direct implementation.
• For exceptional proposals, we may consider funding levels beyond $50m. We anticipate higher funding levels will involve more thought partnership from our team.
• While we don’t expect to make grants longer than 36 months, funded proposals may later be considered for additional funding beyond the initial period.

The Kennedy Fellowships and Presidential Scholarships at Harvard Kennedy School provide opportunities for both U.S. and international students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and professional distinction. These scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need, ensuring support for diverse applicants. The school is committed to improving public policy and leadership, making a significant impact on societal challenges. Apply for these prestigious awards after completing your admission application.

The John Berger Fellowship at Harvard Kennedy School supports MPP students who are graduates of Harvard College, aiming to work in U.S. or international institutions focused on international affairs. This fellowship is part of HKS's commitment to improving public policy and leadership, offering scholarships and fellowships based on merit and financial need, without discrimination against applicants based on citizenship, race, or other protected classifications.

Washington students pursuing graduate-level public policy, science, and technology studies can access funding through Harvard Kennedy School’s Charles Edison Fund Fellowship. This fellowship supports those seeking to expand the impact of the Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program, and may benefit individuals focused on public policy work connected to science and international affairs.

Grants from Stray Dog Institute help Washington nonprofits and NGOs working on food system public policy, farmed animal protection, and sustainable agriculture with US $2,500 - US $10,000 for operating or project support. 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups advancing systems-focused, justice-oriented change in areas like environmental policy, labor, and food justice may be eligible.

Muslim undergraduate and graduate students in film, television, acting, or theater who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients can receive US $3,000 - US $5,000 to advance their studies and careers. Focused on media and public policy impact, Islamic Scholarship Fund supports those enrolled at accredited U.S. universities, including students from Washington.

Washington law students in public policy–related judicial internships can access funding through the Islamic Scholarship Fund’s ISF Judicial Internship Scholarship. Eligible applicants are first- or second-year American Muslim law students in accredited U.S. schools with an 8-week offer from a state or federal judge; awards provide a US $3,000 stipend.

Law and public policy students in Washington can access funding through the Islamic Scholarship Fund’s ISF Law Scholarship Program, which offers US $5,000 - US $10,000 for studies in the U.S. Eligible applicants are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients committed to improving access to justice for Muslims in America.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities and research institutions working on pollinator health, sustainable agriculture, and related public policy in Washington can apply for funding from One Hive Foundation, with awards up to US $75,000. Eligible projects include scientific research, advocacy, public education, policy translation, and capacity-building for organizations focused on pollinator conservation and ecologically responsible agriculture.

Nonprofit and academic institutions in Washington working on public policy and broader U.S.-Japan relations can seek funding for arts and culture, education and public affairs, exchanges and scholarship, or global challenges projects. The Japan-United States Friendship Commission supports institutional training, research, and exchange programs that deepen people-to-people understanding between Japan and the U.S.

Nonprofits and advocacy organizations improving early childhood development and education policy can apply for grants up to US $20,000 from the Ohio Children’s Foundation. Grants from Ohio Children’s Foundation help Washington public policy groups and early learning programs support at-risk children ages 0–5, strengthen school readiness, and advance high-quality early childhood education through services and policy advocacy.

Agronomy, crop, and soil science PhD holders interested in public policy can gain a yearlong Congressional fellowship in Washington through the Crop Science Society of America. This U.S.-based program places fellows in Congressional offices or committees, offering a stipend, relocation support, and intensive orientations on legislative, agriculture, and environmental issues.

With a mission to improve lives through evidence-based policy, Arnold Ventures provides Washington public policy and social program researchers with support to conduct rigorous quasi-experimental evaluations. Eligible projects study causal impacts of policies or interventions in areas like higher education, workforce training, infrastructure, contraceptive access, or public finance across the U.S.

Public policy and governance researchers in Washington can apply for Arnold Ventures’ randomized controlled trial funding to evaluate social programs and policies. Focused on evidence-building across U.S. social policy, this opportunity supports rigorous RCTs that inform decision-makers and may benefit organizations working in areas like criminal justice, health care, housing, and democracy.

Graduate students in Earth system sciences attending universities in Canada, the U.S., or Mexico can receive US $40,000 plus research visits and professional development to pursue science, public policy, or related tracks. Grants from University Corporation for Atmospheric Research help emerging public policy and atmospheric science leaders, including those connected to Washington, explore the intersections of science and society.

The BJA FY 2026 Capital Case Litigation Initiative aims to enhance legal representation in state capital cases. By providing essential funding, this initiative supports both prosecutors and defense attorneys to ensure equitable legal processes for indigent defendants. The U.S. Department of Justice emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights. Applications are due by November 5, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET, marking a critical opportunity for improvement in capital case litigation.

Better Food Policy Fund 

Since its inception, the Better Food Policy Fund has set its strategic direction in a participatory fashion. We are intentionally building capacity for engagement to ensure the Fund aligns with the needs of food policy council stakeholders.   

Thus far, the Fund has engaged 300+ food policy council stakeholders to help co-develop the Fund. We are immensely grateful for the individuals who helped shape the initial direction of this fund. We view this growing stakeholder audience as the people to whom the Fund’s governing body, the Independent Advisory Committee, is ultimately accountable.

Grantmaking

The Better Food Policy Fund invests in US-based food policy councils, empowering community and government collaboration for progressive food policy. We utilize participatory processes to enhance equity and redistribute power in the funding landscape. We seek to celebrate and uplift the work of food policy councils, and believe every food policy council is worthy of financial support.

We define “food policy councils” as councils, networks, coalitions, or other groups working across boundaries at the tribal, municipal, county, state, or regional level.  

We support actions aimed at ensuring an enabling environment for policy change, such as: 

• increasing levels of inclusive and equitable stakeholder engagement in public processes
• engaging systems thinking when tackling complex food system challenges
• facilitating collaboration with and across local government agencies and departments 
• developing or revising local policies and plans  

We define “better food policy” as practices, procedures, ordinances, laws, etc. of governing institutions which strengthen community-based food systems.

We define “civic collaboration” as people joining together at the intersection of community and government to address public issues.

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.

This project aims to facilitate collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy and State governments across four regions in the U.S. The focus is on planning for the safe transportation of used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. By engaging local stakeholders, the project seeks to ensure a transparent and effective transportation program that garners public trust. DOE plans to award four agreements, promoting regional partnerships in this critical area of nuclear waste management.

Who is Stand Together?

Stand Together is a philanthropic community that helps America’s boldest changemakers tackle the root causes of our country’s biggest problems, from education to the economy, broken communities, and toxic division, among dozens of other pressing issues. We provide our partners with access to resources including funding, a unique network of peers, and a playbook for applying proven principles to transform lives and society.

Foreign Policy Grants

A government’s most important task is to secure the rights and liberties of its citizens—in part, by providing for the common defense. For this reason, the United States should maintain a strong military to keep America safe, prosperous, and free.

In recent decades, the United States has pursued an approach to foreign policy known as primacy or liberal hegemony. This foreign policy has required active and aggressive U.S. military engagement around the globe that has undermined our safety and imperiled our prosperity and liberties.

The Trust supports scholars and institutions interested in challenging the current approach, providing alternative visions for U.S. foreign policy, and engaging in research that can bridge the gap between ideas and policy. The Trust is especially interested in foreign policy research projects from political science, international relations, history, or economics. However, proposals from all fields will be considered on their merits.

Grant Info

We are especially interested in research that:

• Explores topics and issues related to a grand strategy of restraint.
• Examines the role of values and ethics in the formulation of U.S. foreign policy.
• Addresses the unintended consequences of U.S. military actions abroad and explores the costs and impact of engagements in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and other places where significant counterterrorism efforts have been conducted.
• Considers the impact of U.S. military engagement abroad on American society—for instance, the effect of our foreign policy decisions on civil liberties or the health and welfare of veterans.
• Explores the concept of threat inflation and problematizes theories of credibility and reputation in relation to U.S. foreign policy.
• Analyzes executive–legislative relations in foreign policy, including the constitutional division of war powers.
• Examines the impact of domestic interest groups, businesses, think tanks, and the permanent national security bureaucracy on U.S. foreign policy.
• Explores the growth of the intelligence and national security establishments since 9/11.
• Surveys the costs, risks, and impacts of foreign aid and alliance commitments.
• Studies the costs and benefits of burden-sharing and burden-shifting with current allies.
• Scrutinizes Pentagon spending, force structure, and the strategic demands of U.S. defense policy—including structural incentives for military expenditures.
• Considers the consequences of an increasingly multipolar world, especially as concerns principal geostrategic regions (e.g., Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and the Western Pacific).
• Explores how changes in technology (such as A2/AD) that impact the offense-defense balance can be leveraged to support a sound approach to grand strategy.

Grant Criteria

Please submit a brief of no more than 3 pages that details the scope of the project. We are open to any type of project: papers, communications campaigns, conferences and convenings, school tours, and much more (we welcome creative ideas).

Funding

Funding levels are commensurate with the requirements of the research and the potential for the research to advance an understanding of critical issues. Accepted proposals may also receive support to disseminate the research findings.

Arnold Ventures

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through evidence-based policy solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We focus on improving systems where outcomes are falling short, incentives are misaligned, and the time is right for change. To advance this mission, we invest in rigorous research to strengthen the evidence base on what works to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities, and to inform policy and practice at scale.

AV’s Higher Education team seeks to fund rigorous, causal research on programs, policies, and practices that improve student outcomes and deliver stronger returns on investment for students and taxpayers. Our work focuses on strengthening the evidence base on effective student success models and aligning policy and funding incentives to support their adoption and scale.

Causal Research to Improve Outcomes for Part-Time Students

Purpose of the RFP

This RFP seeks to fund rigorous causal research that builds the evidence base on effective programs and policies for part-time students and identifies scalable, cost-effective approaches to improve completion and labor market outcomes. Findings should generate actionable insights to inform institutional practice, system-level decision making, and state policy, with the goal of improving outcomes and maximizing return on investment for students and taxpayers.

Population of Interest

Because enrollment intensity is fluid, proposals do not need to limit eligibility to students who are enrolled part-time at baseline. Instead, studies should focus on interventions that primarily serve or are expected to meaningfully impact students who are more likely to enroll part-time, including:

• Adult learners (age 25+)
• Student parents and caregivers
• Working adults

Interventions may serve mixed-enrollment populations, so long as the proposed study is clearly designed to improve outcomes for these populations.

Information for Russell Sage Foundation Grant Seekers

RSF makes external grants for social science research projects that address questions of interest under its research priorities. 

Research Priorities

RSF supports high-quality innovative research under four core research priorities:

• Behavioral Science and Decision Making in Context
• Future of Work
• Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration
• Social, Political, and Economic Inequality

In addition, it supports research under the following time-limited co-funded research priorities:

• Immigration and Immigrant Integration
• Implications of the 2023 Supreme Court Decision to Ban Race-Conscious Admissions at Colleges and Universities for Educational Attainment and Economic Mobility
• Causal Research on the Criminal Justice System

Overview of Core Research Grants

All research grant applications must be preceded by a letter of inquiry (LOI). RSF has 3 funding cycles per year and only considers proposals that are invited following review of an initial letter of inquiry. After peer review, about 15% of those who submit an LOI will receive an invitation to submit a full proposal. RSF rarely considers projects for which the investigators have not already fully-developed the research design, the sample framework, access to data, etc. Investigators are encouraged to submit an LOI after they have developed and pre-tested survey instruments, completed preliminary data analyses if the data are publically-available or conducted some preliminary interviews for qualitative studies.

Funding

There are two levels of funding for core grants, Trustee-approved grants and Presidential-Authority grants. The maximum grant amount for a Trustee grant is $200,000, including 15% indirect costs. Grants up to $75,000 are considered Presidential-Authority grants. RSF has 3 funding cycles per year and only considers proposals that are invited following review of an initial letter of inquiry. After peer review, about 15% of those who submit an LOI will receive an invitation to submit a full proposal. The final funding rate for core research grants is approximately 6-10% of submitted LOIs.

Implications of the 2023 Supreme Court Decision to Ban Race-Conscious Admissions at Colleges and Universities for Educational Attainment and Economic Mobility - Request for Proposals

The Russell Sage Foundation, in collaboration with the Hewlett, Spencer, and William T. Grant foundations, seeks to support innovative research on the effects of the Supreme Court decision on a diversity of outcomes—from who attends college and where and the extent to which alternatives to race-conscious policies contribute to educational attainment and economic mobility among different groups in the population. Our interests extend beyond the effects on applications, admissions, enrollment, and degree completion and include the downstream effects, including whether and how the decision alters the college-to-career pipeline that many employers rely on to diversify their workforce, and the factors associated with public opposition to and support for race-conscious policies. We are particularly interested in analyses that make use of newly available data or demonstrate novel uses of existing data. We also support original data collection and encourage methodological variety and inter-disciplinary collaboration. 

Read the full RFP for this time-limited co-funded research priority here.