Grants for Individuals - Social Advocacy

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to pediatric and family medical practices in New York State to implement the HealthySteps model, which enhances early childhood development and mental health services for children ages 0–3 and their families, particularly in underserved areas.

This funding opportunity supports a wide range of public diplomacy projects in Malaysia that promote American values, technology, education, and cultural engagement, targeting nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for research initiatives aimed at understanding and combating the tactics used by foreign actors to intimidate and control diaspora communities across borders.

This funding opportunity supports alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in developing community-driven initiatives that promote democratic values, safety, and prosperity in both American and Ivoirian communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working to promote fair labor practices and responsible investment in critical industries, enhancing workforce development and competitiveness in the U.S.

This grant provides funding to organizations that develop resources and strategies to empower individuals with developmental disabilities in Texas to effectively communicate their health care needs and navigate the health care system.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations and individuals to implement educational, cultural, and entrepreneurial initiatives that strengthen ties between the United States and the Republic of the Congo, while promoting shared values and addressing issues like trafficking and illegal immigration.

This grant provides funding to Colorado artists, activists, and organizations to implement projects that use the arts to promote social justice and improve community welfare.

This program provides funding to public entities and nonprofit organizations in Indiana to improve mental health services for at-risk youth, particularly in rural areas, by promoting community-based interventions and diversion from the juvenile justice system.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and civil society groups working to prevent and respond to anti-Christian violence in Nigeria's Middle Belt through early warning systems and improved government coordination.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for innovative projects led by alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in Togo, aimed at addressing local challenges while promoting U.S. policy goals.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that engage youth, educators, and entrepreneurs in Cabo Verde, promoting democratic values, civic engagement, and innovation in collaboration with U.S. institutions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community organizations in Fayetteville for projects that aim to reduce crime and violence, with grants ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 available to both recognized and grassroots groups.

This grant provides funding to support innovative projects that promote the understanding and application of psychoanalytic principles, particularly for early-career professionals and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that foster cultural, educational, and professional connections between the United States and Iraq, targeting nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals engaged in promoting U.S. values and partnerships.

This funding initiative provides financial support for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to implement innovative projects that address local challenges in Belarus, focusing on themes like freedom of expression and economic opportunity.