Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation Grant

The Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation (IWPF), founded by Estelle and Irving Packer, is committed to supporting nonprofit organizations that serve children facing serious life challenges, including special needs, chronic disabilities, or acute illnesses. IWPF’s core mission is rooted in its founders' vision of empowering innovative, community-based projects that foster opportunities for children to thrive regardless of their personal hardships. Over the years, the foundation has partnered with a variety of nonprofit grantees whose work has tangibly improved the lives of children through programming, advocacy, and care. This funding opportunity, known as the "Happy Children" grant, reflects IWPF’s longstanding commitment to advancing the well-being of vulnerable children. The grant is structured to support specific programs or initiatives rather than ongoing operations, infrastructure, or salaries. Grants are one-time awards and can either serve as full funding for a proposal or act as supplementary support, with the final funding decision left entirely to the Board of Trustees’ discretion. Recipients must provide assurance through a notarized affidavit that there will be no duplicate funding for the project, and must submit a final report within sixty days of grant disbursement to verify appropriate use of funds. Eligibility is restricted to nonprofit organizations with valid 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The foundation does not fund individuals, and applicants must disclose any affiliations with federal, state, or local government entities. Private foundations, as defined by Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, are generally not eligible for support. The grant program does not prioritize any specific geography and makes no mention of regional restrictions, suggesting a nationwide scope. Applicants must submit their proposals exclusively through the foundation’s online submission portal. Hard copies and email submissions are no longer accepted. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis until December 31 each year, with the application window officially closing at year-end. IWPF’s Board of Trustees reviews applications only after the close of the submission period. Notices of approval are typically sent between May and July of the following year, and disbursement of funds generally takes place between July and August. There is no mention of pre-application steps such as letters of intent or concept papers, and communication beyond automated notifications is preferred via email. The foundation does not provide direct support for capacity-building efforts, general operations, or capital campaigns. All submitted application materials become the property of IWPF and will not be returned. Given the specificity of requirements, applicants are encouraged to carefully review their materials for compliance prior to submission.