Empower Grant

The Empower Grant is administered by Higher Hope, a charitable initiative operated through Players Philanthropy Fund, a recognized tax exempt public charity. The program is designed to strengthen nonprofit organizations that serve victims of violent crime and their communities. Through this grant, the funder seeks to build strategic partnerships with organizations that are already engaged in victim support work and are positioned to expand their reach, deepen their services, or introduce innovative programming. The overarching goal is to promote healing, justice, and long term community resilience for individuals and families affected by violence. The purpose of the Empower Grant is to provide financial support for both existing and planned programs that directly benefit victims of violent crime. Eligible activities include victim advocacy services, community based support programs, educational outreach, trauma recovery initiatives, and direct assistance efforts. The funding prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate clear and measurable objectives, efficient use of resources, and the potential for sustainable impact over time. Applicants are expected to show how their proposed project aligns with the mission of supporting victims and contributes to broader community healing outcomes. Funding under this program is intended to support programmatic costs associated with implementation, expansion, or enhancement of services. Organizations must present detailed project budgets and implementation plans that clearly outline how funds will be used. The grant emphasizes accountability and transparency, requiring applicants to define anticipated impact metrics and demonstrate how success will be measured. While no explicit matching requirement is stated, applicants must show responsible financial planning and effective allocation of requested funds. Eligibility is limited to registered nonprofit organizations with valid 501(c)(3) status. Applicants must have either established programs or well developed plans for new initiatives. The program is open to organizations of all sizes, including grassroots groups and national nonprofits, provided their mission aligns with supporting victims of violent crime. There are no geographic restrictions, allowing both domestic and international organizations to apply, as long as their work aligns with the funder’s mission and demonstrates meaningful impact. The application process requires submission of several key components. Organizations must provide proof of nonprofit status, including EIN or UEI verification, along with a detailed project proposal outlining objectives, activities, and expected outcomes. A comprehensive budget breakdown is mandatory, as well as documentation describing the organization’s history, current programs, and implementation timeline. Applications that do not include the required documentation may be deemed ineligible for consideration. Applications are accepted on a rolling annual cycle and remain open until December 31 of the current year. All submissions are reviewed through a structured evaluation process that considers project impact, organizational capacity, sustainability, urgency of need, and alignment with the funder’s mission. Successful applicants are those that demonstrate strong planning, clear objectives, and efficient use of resources. While specific award timelines are not detailed, applicants should expect a thorough review before funding decisions are made. Grant recipients may be required to provide periodic reporting on project implementation, use of funds, and achieved outcomes. These updates ensure accountability and allow the funder to assess program effectiveness and share success stories with stakeholders. The Empower Grant is expected to recur annually, providing ongoing opportunities for organizations to apply and secure funding to support victims of violent crime and their communities.

Focus on clear objectives, measurable impact, and efficient resource allocation; demonstrate sustainability and alignment with mission; provide complete and well organized documentation