Private Social Advocacy Grants

The AARP Foundation is offering a grant opportunity to organizations seeking to increase their impact by piloting a scaling strategy. This aligns with the AARP Foundation's mission to materially improve the circumstances of people aged 50 and over with incomes at or below 250% of the poverty line, lift their income above this threshold, or prevent them from falling below it. The Foundation also prioritizes programs that consult older adults in their development and implementation or create volunteer opportunities for them. This funding opportunity aims to support organizations in expanding their reach and depth to engage a larger audience, thereby addressing urgent problems faced by this demographic. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are individuals aged 50 and over who are living with low income. The impact goals are to improve the financial well-being of this population through direct services or non-direct services such as capacity building, systems change, or implementation. The Foundation is particularly interested in projects serving older adults in 22 specific U.S. states and territories that exhibit high levels of senior poverty, including Alabama, Arizona, and Puerto Rico, among others. Organizations from anywhere in the U.S. are eligible, but those serving populations disproportionately affected by systemic barriers, racial and ethnic disparities, and other harmful biases will be prioritized. The AARP Foundation's strategic priorities for this grant focus on scaling existing work to achieve greater impact. This can involve leveraging partnerships to increase program reach, using collaborative or coalition models to enhance organizational capacity, engaging new partners for policy implementation (excluding legislative advocacy), expanding public-private partnerships, applying effective systems-level approaches to new areas, or incorporating innovative strategies into existing programs. These diverse approaches reflect the Foundation's theory of change, which posits that by supporting organizations in scaling their effective programs, a broader positive impact on the economic security of older adults can be achieved. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increasing the number of 50+ individuals whose circumstances are materially improved, whose income is lifted above 250% of the poverty line, or who are prevented from falling below it. The grant aims to foster expanded reach and depth of programs, engaging larger audiences and demonstrating the effectiveness of various scaling strategies. The total program funding for this opportunity is up to $2 million, supporting projects for up to three years, indicating a commitment to sustained impact and the development of robust, scalable solutions to senior poverty.

The MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship offers $10,000 plus up to $5,000 for expenses to U.S. journalists, both freelance and staff, to develop a news project that localizes the impact of climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy, with a focus on local perspectives and solutions, aiming to engage and empower their audience.

This grant provides $100,000 over two years to grassroots organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming that focus on building community power and leadership among diverse groups, with a priority for those led by BIPOC and working in rural or reservation areas.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Native women-led organizations addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit Peoples in the U.S.

This grant seeks a skilled grant writer to help secure funding for a memorial and healing center dedicated to honoring the victims and survivors of a tragic mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, while promoting healing, education, and social justice.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Philadelphia and Camden that create free outdoor programs to help underserved communities access and enjoy parks, trails, and waterways.

Progressive Multiplier offers grants, loans, and resources to progressive nonprofits, supporting them in scaling their projects and revenue generation efforts, with a focus on issues like clean energy, climate change, economic justice, and various rights, while also encouraging outreach across political divides.

This funding opportunity supports research projects that explore how race, citizenship, and public policy impact the integration and outcomes of immigrants in the United States.

This grant provides financial assistance to women in southwest Michigan who have faced barriers to education or employment, helping them pursue post-secondary degrees or certifications for greater financial independence.

This funding opportunity supports youth-led organizations in 21 countries that provide free mental health resources to their communities, emphasizing inclusivity and youth engagement.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Minnesota that provide essential services to individuals and families facing housing and food insecurity, helping them acquire necessary tools and infrastructure to improve their support efforts.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in East Hawai‘i that are working on community projects related to education, health care, economic sufficiency, and recreational activities.

Grant Opportunity: TJX Empowering Women Program Description: The TJX Empowering Women Program is a grant opportunity that supports organizations dedicated to empowering and enriching the lives of women. The program focuses on providing resources for victims of domestic violence, as well as offering education, training, and job placement services. TJX has a long-standing partnership with the National Domestic Violence Hotline in the U.S., providing foundation grants to support their helpline services. In Canada, TJX launched the Find Your Stride initiative, partnering with organizations like Dress for Success Canada, WoodGreen’s Homeward Bound program, Women in Need Society (WINS), Alice House, and Petites-Mains to provide basic needs assistance, work skills development, educational programs, and job placement opportunities for vulnerable women. Eligibility: Organizations of all types across the USA are eligible to apply for this grant opportunity. This includes nonprofits, startups, researchers, local governments, small businesses, and other organizations committed to empowering women and supporting victims of domestic violence. Funding Highlights: - 300,000 shelter nights provided - 30,000 domestic violence services provided Alice House Partnership: TJX Canada is a proud partner of Alice House, an organization that helps women create a life free from domestic and intimate partner violence. With funding from TJX Canada, Alice House has launched Alice On The Go, a self-directed online program aimed at preventing domestic violence and educating women about warning signs and power dynamics in relationships. TJX's support also extends to Alice House's Economic Independence Program which assists women leaving Alice House in achieving financial independence. Testimonial: "Alice House has been my rock; they have shown me what it is like to always have choices in my life and how to make and keep boundaries in place for me and my children. I am glad that my family has been fortunate enough to have them as part of our new beginning." - Cindy, past Alice House client

The Highland Lakes Service League is inviting applications for its Community Grants program, aimed at enhancing the Highland Lakes area through various focus areas including the promotion of animal welfare, cultivation of arts and culture, improvement in education, provision of basic human services, and promotion of recreation and public spaces. The grants program is open to 501(c)(3) organizations serving Burnet or Llano counties in Texas. Applications are accepted annually from June 15th to August 31st. The grant amounts are not specified. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/ closing deadlines: June 15th to August 31st

The Opportunity Grants by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, offering up to $10,000 for a 12-month period, are designed to stimulate and support new or existing programs, projects, or capital investments of nonprofit organizations serving Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties in South Carolina, excluding general operating support, religious, political activities, and scholarships among others.

The Walter Cerf Community Fund offers large grants up to $25,000 for project-specific initiatives that align with Vermont's charitable needs in arts, education, historic preservation, and social services. This funding supports projects that promote community building and address the needs of underserved populations, specifically in Addison County or Brandon. Large grants require a focus on project-specific funding and do not support general operational costs.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in western and central New York that are working to reduce firearm violence through education and intervention, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations such as pregnant individuals, young children, and older adults.

The Junior League of Sioux City, through its Mildred Anderson Community Grants program, supports short-term community need projects with a focus on volunteer participation. Established in 1990 with a generous donation, these grants promote charitable activities within the Siouxland tri-state area. Grant recipients are selected through a competitive process and must meet certain eligibility criteria including not having received a grant in the prior year, not being involved in a current Junior League project, and utilizing community volunteers in their projects. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadline: October 1st to January 15th

The Rose Community Foundation is offering a grant opportunity to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Denver region, including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties, or those advancing statewide policy efforts benefiting this area. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to foster equity, justice, inclusion, and engagement by supporting organizations engaged in equity-focused policy and advocacy work. The foundation seeks to fund a diverse array of organizations with varying approaches, perspectives, and populations served, working at local or state levels, and pursuing both short-term and long-term policy objectives. The grant program targets a diverse ecosystem of organizations in Greater Denver that leverage policy and advocacy to create conditions for equity for communities furthest from opportunity. The funding aims to achieve impact goals related to advancing equity and justice through strategic policy changes. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the foundation's emphasis on policy and advocacy work implies an expectation of policy changes, improved systemic equity, and increased engagement of underserved populations as outcomes. Organizations receiving program or project support will be required to report direct and grassroots lobbying expenses, indicating a focus on demonstrable advocacy efforts. The foundation's strategic priorities revolve around supporting policy efforts across a range of issues, ensuring a broad spectrum of approaches and populations are represented. The theory of change appears to be that by funding diverse organizations engaged in policy and advocacy, they can drive systemic changes that lead to greater equity, justice, inclusion, and engagement for local communities. This is evident in their support for general operating expenses to maximize flexibility for policy and advocacy work, as well as program-specific funding for organizations where advocacy is not their primary focus. Funding amounts typically range from $15,000 to $75,000, with most grant durations being one year. Eligibility extends to 501(c)(3)s and 501(c)(4)s or fiscally sponsored projects, provided they serve the seven-county Greater Denver region or advance statewide policy efforts benefiting this area. Local, municipal, state, and federal government agencies are not eligible. The foundation also outlines specific conditions for organizations that have received prior funding or have active multi-year grants, encouraging consultation with their grantmaking team for eligibility clarification. This structured approach aims to maximize the grant's impact within their strategic framework.

The Eisner Prize Fellowship is a new program designed to support leaders pioneering innovations in intergenerational connection. Since 2011, the Eisner Foundation has awarded the Eisner Prize to honor people and organizations doing exceptional intergenerational work across the country. In this next phase in the evolution of the Eisner Prize, The Eisner Foundation is providing financial resources, networking opportunities, and the prestige of the Eisner Prize to leaders with new ideas and perspectives that will propel the field forward. The Eisner Prize Fellows application is open to anyone working to innovate in the area of intergenerational connection – whether that be through research, programs, technology, or other efforts advancing the field. Young people, people of color, and those working with historically marginalized communities are particularly encouraged to apply. The application for the 2024-25 cycle is open from April 24 to May 22, and questions can be reviewed in advance here.