Rapid Response Grants Program

North Star Fund offers Rapid Response grants to support organizations located in New York City and the Hudson Valley that are responding swiftly to emergent political threats or critical campaign moments. These grants are designed to assist with timely, specific efforts—such as mutual aid coordination, healing justice work, or bail fund support—that contribute to long-term systemic change. North Star Fund, a community foundation supported by individual donors, prioritizes grassroots organizing and community-led efforts. The Rapid Response grants provide $2,500 or $5,000 to qualifying organizations, with a maximum of $5,000 available within a 12-month period. These funds are intended to support short-term activities with an expected impact within three to six months. Grants are not intended for direct services such as food distribution or service education unless these efforts are tied into a broader organizing strategy that promotes systemic change. Eligible applicants must be organizations that conduct work in one of the five boroughs of New York City or specific counties in the Hudson Valley, including Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Columbia, Greene, Delaware, Rensselaer, Albany, and Schoharie. Organizations must demonstrate at least some elements of community organizing and have an annual budget under $800,000. Both new and established organizations may apply, and applicants are not required to have 501(c)(3) status at the time of submission. However, they must secure a fiscal sponsor by the time the grant is awarded. Rapid Response grants are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications may be submitted at any time via the JustFund portal. North Star Fund staff will follow up with questions or decisions within approximately two weeks of submission. The application includes a series of questions about the organization, membership, urgency of the issue, proposed response, and requested funding use. While current and former grantees are prioritized, all organizations that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply. North Star Fund focuses on elevating community-driven solutions and encourages small, grassroots-led efforts, especially those led by individuals directly impacted by injustice.

Emphasize your connection to systemic change and organizing. Ensure your response is time-sensitive and clearly tied to a political shift or campaign juncture.