Grants for Individuals - Social Advocacy

This program provides funding to Yale University students for innovative research and creative projects that address important issues related to the welfare and protection of non-human animals.

This funding opportunity supports emerging Native filmmakers in creating short films while providing mentorship to enhance their professional development and amplify Native narratives.

This initiative provides financial support to local newsrooms and independent journalists for investigative projects that expose racial and human rights abuses within the American criminal justice system.

This funding opportunity supports researchers affiliated with top universities to expand successful pilot projects that address critical public policy issues in Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE, focusing on education, public health, and urban development.

This funding initiative supports local individuals and organizations in Appalachian Kentucky to develop innovative projects that enhance civic engagement and address community challenges.

This fellowship provides financial support and mentorship to emerging Native filmmakers for creating innovative short films that reflect Native cultures and contemporary issues.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and approved entities in southern Missouri to implement small-scale projects that promote inclusivity and representation in community leadership and civic life.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for non-U.S. citizen alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in Latvia to implement community projects that promote democratic values and strengthen U.S.-Latvia relations.

This funding opportunity supports innovative projects that apply psychological science to address urgent community issues related to prejudice, violence, and health, particularly benefiting marginalized groups.

This funding opportunity provides financial support and development resources to filmmakers in the Greater Philadelphia area, helping them enhance their projects and skills while promoting community-focused storytelling.

This grant provides funding for innovators to develop affordable and user-friendly tools that can safely detect and mark underwater explosive ordnance in post-conflict areas, helping local communities mitigate risks and promote safe economic activities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and certified community development organizations in Toledo for housing preservation, homelessness prevention, and neighborhood revitalization projects.

This grant provides funding for individuals or teams worldwide to support feminist projects that promote gender equality and challenge discrimination across various fields such as science, art, and culture.

This scholarship provides funding for early-career researchers and therapists to explore holistic approaches to sexuality through research and therapeutic practices at the Kinsey Institute.

This grant provides temporary financial assistance to individuals in Illinois and Indiana undergoing breast cancer treatment who are facing financial hardship due to their medical expenses.

The Spirit of Humanity Award, offered by the Legacy Foundation, recognizes individuals, civic groups, organizations, or groups of individuals who inspire the Foundation's vision through their leadership and action. This annual award aligns directly with the Legacy Regional Community Foundation's mission: "creates a stronger future for our area by building endowments, providing informed leadership & connecting donors to critical needs of the region." The award seeks to honor those whose contributions reflect this core mission, thereby reinforcing the Foundation's strategic priority of fostering community betterment through leadership and impactful initiatives. The target beneficiaries of this award are individuals or groups residing in or around the Cowley/Sumner County area who have demonstrated uncommon leadership or action within the past 12 months. The impact goal is to celebrate and highlight those who embody the Foundation's values, inspiring others to contribute to the region's strength. By recognizing these efforts, the Foundation aims to cultivate a stronger sense of community and encourage ongoing engagement in addressing critical local needs. The program prioritizes actions that genuinely reflect the Foundation's mission, emphasizing leadership and contributions that may or may not be financial. This broad definition ensures that a wide range of impactful activities are considered. The focus is on inspiring positive change and demonstrating a commitment to the well-being of the community, aligning with the Foundation's theory of change that recognizing exemplary community service fosters a more engaged and resilient region. Expected outcomes include increased public awareness of the Legacy Regional Community Foundation's mission and values, a stronger sense of community pride, and the encouragement of further civic engagement. Measurable results would include the number of nominations received, the visibility of the awardees' stories in the Foundation gallery, and the anecdotal evidence of inspired community action following the award. The award serves as a tangible expression of the Foundation's commitment to informed leadership and connecting donors to critical needs, ultimately contributing to a more robust future for the area.

The Nexus Grant, offered by the City of Austin, is designed to support new and emerging local small organizations, individual artists, and small arts businesses in producing creative public projects. With an award of $5,000, the program aims to nurture the creative community by funding activities that enrich the city and its tourists through community-centered arts and collaboration. This aligns with a broader mission to foster cultural vibrancy and accessibility within Austin. The primary beneficiaries of the Nexus Grant are new and emerging applicants within the creative community, including artists, culturally specific groups, LGBTQIA and disability communities, nonprofits, and social advocacy organizations. The program's impact goals are centered on supporting creative public activities, encouraging community engagement, and promoting cultural collaboration. Through these efforts, the grant seeks to strengthen Austin's artistic landscape and provide diverse cultural experiences for both residents and visitors. The program prioritizes applicants who represent, serve, and are accountable to communities at immediate risk of cultural erasure and displacement within Austin, and those that have been historically marginalized and under-funded by the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division. This includes communities such as Black/African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities. Additionally, priority is given to applicants who have not received City of Austin Cultural Funding awards in the last five years, emphasizing support for truly emerging entities. Eligible activities for funding include exhibitions, performances, workshops with a performance or exhibition component, and public art projects accessible to the public. Grant funds can cover various expenses such as administrative and artist payments, space and equipment rentals, supplies, marketing, insurance, and fiscal sponsor fees. The expected outcomes are the successful production of these creative public projects, increased community engagement in the arts, and the empowerment of underrepresented voices within Austin's cultural sector. Measurable results would include the number and type of projects produced, audience reach, and the diversity of communities served, contributing to the city's strategic priorities of cultural equity and inclusion.

The Dao Prize, funded by the Daofeng and Angela Foundation in conjunction with Young America’s Foundation’s National Journalism Center (NJC), is an annual award designed to recognize excellence in investigative journalism. The program's mission aligns with fostering high-quality journalism, particularly in investigative, local, and multimedia formats. While the specific mission of the Daofeng and Angela Foundation or the NJC's broader strategic priorities are not explicitly detailed as a 'theory of change' in the provided text, the establishment of this prize clearly indicates a strategic priority to support and elevate journalists who produce impactful and well-researched stories, thereby contributing to an informed public and a robust journalistic landscape. The target beneficiaries of the Dao Prize are U.S.-based news publications and individual journalists, including those working for Substack pages, YouTube channels, podcasts, and other multimedia outlets. The impact goals are to encourage and reward exceptional journalistic work, particularly in areas often overlooked or under-resourced, such as local and multimedia journalism. By providing substantial financial awards, the prize aims to empower journalists and outlets to continue their critical work, thereby strengthening the foundation of American journalism and its ability to hold power accountable and inform communities. The program prioritizes excellence in investigative journalism, with additional categories specifically recognizing outstanding local and multimedia journalism. This focus ensures that the prize not only celebrates groundbreaking investigations but also acknowledges the vital role of community-focused reporting and innovative storytelling formats. Expected outcomes include a rise in the quality and quantity of investigative, local, and multimedia journalism, as well as increased recognition and financial stability for journalists producing such work. Measurable results include the annual selection of a grand prize winner receiving $100,000, along with runners-up and winners in the local and multimedia categories each receiving $10,000. The prize's impact can be measured by the caliber and reach of the winning stories, the ongoing careers of the recognized journalists, and the visibility of the award itself in encouraging future submissions and high standards. The explicit criteria for evaluation—based on a ten-point scale across five main categories—ensure a rigorous and transparent selection process, reinforcing the prize's commitment to recognizing true excellence.

Poynter Reporting Grants for Transgender Coverage Grant Amount: $10,000 to $15,000 (three grants available) Eligibility: Reporters planning projects on all platforms (online, radio, video, print). Must have attended or watched both Beat Academy Transgender Coverage webinars. If not attended, enroll in the course. Support: One-on-one coaching available as needed. Focus: Strong applications focus on concrete local examples of transgender issues. Focus can be personal, family, community, or state level. Emphasis on a crisp story pitch, clear reporting plan, and evidence of reporting skill. Projects should be completed by December 31, 2024. Application Details: Applications due by May 3, 2024. Winners announced in late May. For questions, email Jon Greenberg at beatacademy@poynter.org. Funding Source: Supported by the Gill Foundation.

This grant provides financial assistance to nontraditional college students, established entrepreneurs, and community advocates in El Dorado, Arkansas, who demonstrate a commitment to community service and embody the values of compassion and leadership.