Change Makers Initiative

The Change Makers Initiative is part of the Goldman Sachs Community Development Champions Program, a private philanthropic effort designed to support nonprofit organizations that advance economic opportunity and stability in low- and moderate-income communities. This initiative specifically targets high-impact organizations that are positioned to deliver immediate and measurable results within defined community development priority areas. By offering flexible general operating support, Goldman Sachs enables organizations to allocate funding toward their most critical needs, including staffing, programming, and infrastructure, thereby strengthening their ability to respond effectively to community challenges. The Change Makers Initiative provides a one-time general operating grant to eligible nonprofit organizations. Unlike multi-year funding models, this initiative is structured to catalyze short-term, high-impact outcomes by equipping organizations with the resources needed to scale or enhance existing programs. The funding is unrestricted in nature, allowing recipients to determine how best to deploy the funds in alignment with their mission and strategic goals. This flexibility is intended to maximize organizational effectiveness and accelerate measurable improvements in economic mobility and community stability. Eligible applicants must be domestic nonprofit organizations that have obtained tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Organizations are required to demonstrate a clear and consistent focus on community development, particularly as it relates to addressing the needs of low- and moderate-income populations. Additionally, applicants must be headquartered in or conduct the majority of their operations within specific geographic areas, including the five boroughs of New York City, Hudson and Essex counties in New Jersey, and Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties in Utah. These geographic restrictions are central to the program’s targeted investment strategy. The application process requires organizations to complete a structured submission that includes detailed organizational information, a grant proposal narrative, and supporting documentation. Applicants must clearly articulate the community challenge they are addressing, describe their organization’s approach to solving it, and demonstrate how the requested funding will lead to measurable outcomes. The application also includes sections on community engagement and impact measurement, requiring organizations to show how their strategies are informed by community needs and how success will be tracked over time. Required supporting documents include IRS determination letters, Form 990 filings, and financial statements. Applications are evaluated based on several core criteria, including demonstrated impact, depth of community engagement, and level of innovation. Organizations must provide evidence of their ability to deliver measurable results in low- and moderate-income communities and show a track record of effective program implementation. Strong applications will also highlight meaningful collaboration with community stakeholders and present innovative approaches that differentiate their work from existing solutions. The evaluation process is designed to identify organizations that are both effective and forward-thinking in their approach to community development. The initiative operates on an annual cycle, with applications due by July 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Following submission, applications undergo a review process, and award decisions are finalized later in the year. Selected organizations are notified prior to a public announcement, and funding is disbursed by the end of the calendar year. Awarded organizations are expected to implement their proposed activities shortly thereafter, with a focus on delivering measurable impact within the grant period. For additional guidance, applicants may refer to the official application questions document, which outlines all required responses and submission components. Questions regarding the program can be directed to the program’s official contact email. The Change Makers Initiative does not indicate any matching fund requirement, suggesting that awarded funds are provided without the need for cost sharing. Overall, the initiative represents a strategic investment in nonprofit organizations that are capable of driving immediate, tangible improvements in underserved communities.

Emphasize measurable outcomes in LMI communities; demonstrate strong community engagement and co-design; highlight innovative approaches that differentiate from existing solutions; ensure alignment between funding request and projected impact