Alaska Grants for Nonprofits

Our Core Principles:

• Relevance: We continually seek information regarding significant opportunities in our region and in our focus areas to ensure that we are responding to current needs and opportunities.
• Community Engagement: We seek to foster community engagement in protecting wildlife and habitat and in engaging youth skills to build directly on community needs and strengths.
• Focus on Place: Grounded in the Northwest, we fund in urban, rural and tribal communities in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington where people work to improve the places that they live.
• Expand Opportunity: We give special consideration in our grant making to benefit and expand opportunities for underserved populations in our region.

Wildlife and Habitat Programs: Promoting Biodiversity in a Changing Climate

Conservation efforts that utilize the impacts of climate change when selecting areas for protection.

Engaging a community of citizens, scientists, and conservationists in educating the public about biodiversity and climate change.

Restoring important lands for biodiversity, focal species, and landscape connectivity. Including but not limited to:

• Assessments to identify species and communities at risk, including strategies to work toward ecosystem resilience.
• Identification of barriers to migration and mitigation measures to enhance landscape connectivity.
• Adaptive restoration strategies based on predicted species range expansion and contraction.
• Promoting the biodiversity of the marine and freshwater environments.

Guidelines for Wildlife and Habitat Programs

As development pressures increase, the stewardship of vital ecosystems is critical for protecting wildlife populations and habitat. The effort must be based on solid conservation biology, recognizing the resilience, complexity and interdependence of all life. Conservation of critical habitat and species requires comprehensive strategies and collaboration among partners working in the region, recognizing the limitation of funds available. Stewardship is the shared responsibility of empowered citizens, engaged scientists, collaborating foundations, informed business and property owners, and an accountable government. Healthy and diverse wildlife populations and habitat must be preserved through sound government policies and a range of creative conservation approaches. The principle of sustainability requires that environment, economics and equity are considered together to protect the quality of life at every level.

About the Trust

Since 1975 the Trust has invested nearly $800 million into nonprofit organizations in the form of grants and enrichment programs. Jack Murdock’s desire to “nurture and enrich the educational, spiritual, cultural, and social lives of individuals, families, and communities" continues to be reflected in grants, enrichment programs, and all of the Trust’s activities to this day.

Mr. Murdock was an avid learner, innovator, and entrepreneur. His informal education was continuous and lifelong. The special importance he placed on education has been the beacon leading Trust support of many colleges and universities in the five states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

Organizations involved in advancing culture and the arts are welcomed each year, as are projects targeted to elevating human services, health, and health care in the region. These include community-based and faith-based organizations, particularly those that serve youth. From a founder who was thoroughly unpretentious, the Trust has taken his lead to welcome the best ideas from all across the region’s urban and rural areas.

The Trust’s founder believed in science and technology as one of the most important sources of knowledge and inventiveness, knowledge that he believed to be strategic to resolving many issues. As a result, the Trust has long been at the forefront of private support for scientific research and innovation. In recent years, this has realized more than 60 scientific research grants annually.

Mr. Murdock was vitally interested in community issues and encouraged the convening and collaboration of diverse leaders to focus on questions of importance. The Trust continues to bring many voices together to examine and explore ideas and trends in various fields and sectors.

Grant Overview

We believe in transformational ideas that help individuals, families and communities flourish — and since 1975, the Murdock Trust has invested nearly $850 million into nonprofit organizations that embody our mission.

Every day, we work to further our founder Jack Murdock’s desire to “nurture and enrich the educational, spiritual, cultural and social lives of individuals, families and communities.” We make grants that help improve the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest, and we welcome nonprofits that share our commitment to thinking bigger, challenging problems and making a true difference.

Funding Types

The Trust makes grants for building the capacity of nonprofit groups in these primary ways for the following three types of projects:

Capital: Is capital growth or expansion important to your nonprofit’s vision for long-term growth and success? The Murdock Trust regularly makes grants that support construction, renovation, land purchase and other capital projects. In most cases, we prefer to receive requests for these types of projects once your organization has raised a portion of the needed funds.

Equipment & Technology: Best practices suggest that a healthy equipment and supporting technology infrastructure is essential. Please note that with these grants, recipient organizations are responsible for 50% or greater of the purchase cost.

Program & Staff: Expanding programs and adding staff are important markers of nonprofit success. Murdock Trust grants help fund both new programs and the expansion of existing programs, and may be used to cover start-up costs and/or related staff member additions. Typically, we fund program and staff grants on a declining basis over three years (100/67/33%). 

Background

The Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation, founded in 1987, is a family foundation that supports nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. The Foundation is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of nature, including wildlife and their required habitats. It also supports the institutions that present nature and our rich cultural heritage to the public.

Areas of interest

• Community-based projects working to restore habitat and wildlife by activating volunteers and local residents.
• Collaborative and coalition-building projects involving a number of organizations working together to share strengths and maximize effectiveness.
• Cultural and natural history institutions using a community-based approach to explore the history and traditions of the greater Puget Sound area.
• Projects from Native American communities on issues related to cultural preservation and protection of natural resources.

About the Program

NPRB supports a competitive, peer-reviewed annual request for proposal (RFP) process dedicated to pressing fishery management issues and important ecosystem information needs as prioritized by our Science Plan. Proposals are geographically focused in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Arctic Ocean.

Important marine ecosystem questions and pressing fishing management needs have shaped the Core Program since 2002. The Core Program is NPRB’s longest-running and largest funded research program.

NPRB follows federal and financial reporting guidelines in compliance with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

The North Pacific Research Board (NPRB) requests proposals for cooperative research designed to address pressing fishery management or marine ecosystem information needs through a competitive grant program, using a portion of the interest earned from the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund. These funds must be used to conduct research activities on, or relating to, fisheries and marine ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, Gulf of Alaska, and Arctic. NPRB prioritizes research that improves understanding of marine ecosystems and enhances effective fishery management and sustainable use of marine resources.

Research may be conducted within any of the large marine ecosystems relevant to Alaska (i.e., Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Chukchi and Beaufort seas). Applicants have the option to be considered for co-funding through a collaborative arrangement with funding partners. Co-funded proposals and project reports will be shared with funding partners and any publication must include acknowledgement of the joint support provided. Proposals selected for funding will be invited to apply for up to $20,000 to support additional outreach

efforts.

The Leighty Foundation (TLF) is a small family foundation incorporated under Iowa law.  Directors and advisors live in Colorado, Alaska, and California.

Mission

To carry on the Leighty family legacy of service and stewardship by leveraging our time and talents, as well as our financial resources, primarily in the areas of Earth Protection, Education, Philanthropy, and Strategic Volunteer Engagement.Focus Areas Earth Protection “Environmental” has become trite, and does not convey the profound, urgent, and necessary changes in the way our species perceives and relates to our fellow species on Earth, and to its wonderful physical systems. The Leighty Foundation is especially interested in accelerating humanity’s transition to a sustainable, equitable, benign, affordable global energy system based entirely upon renewable energy sources — driven by radiant energy from our local star, the Sun, and by geothermal. Our earliest, most rewarding investments will be energy conservation and efficiency, while we invent and invest to “run the world on renewables.” We assist science education, so that we will better understand who and what and where we humans are, and to better understand Earth and our options for cooperation within its context and limits. Thus, we intend to invest wisely in Earth Protection, with both Foundation funds and with our personal involvement. An urgent Grand Challenge is transforming the world’s largest industry from about 80% fossil to nearly 100% renewable, CO2-emission-free energy sources, as quickly as we prudently and profitably can. Prudently: with acceptable social and economic disruption. Profitably: the huge amount of capital needed will flow only to attractive opportunities for returns. Electricity systems may be inadequate or technically and economically suboptimal for this transformation. Therefore, we now need to think beyond electricity, to comprehensively consider alternatives. Hydrogen (H2) and Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) are attractive, energy carriers, storage media, and fuels – as complete renewable energy systems. The Leighty Foundation Earth Protection program focuses on the Big Three challenges of time-variable renewable generation:

• Gathering and transmission;
• Low-cost, annual-scale, firming storage;
• Distribution, integration, and end-use of energy services.

Strategic Volunteer Engagement Our nation finds itself faced with a perfect storm with shrinking resources and escalating needs. Meeting these needs will require a dramatic increase in the number of people willing to give their time and skills as well as their financial resources. However, the challenge may be less about increasing the number of people who volunteer, and more about building infrastructures which connect people with worthy opportunities, and empower them to make a meaningful difference.There is a growing awareness that even if Americans respond to the myriad of calls for service, many charities are not prepared to effectively engage them. A recent survey found that more than 30% of charities do not currently have the infrastructure to effectively deploy volunteers. Now is the time for us as funders to seize this unique opportunity to financially support nonprofits in building their capacity.

At MPC, our community investment strategy is centered around strengthening communities and helping make people's lives better. We focus on contributions and partnerships with charitable organizations that reflect the priorities of our community stakeholders, align with our core values, amplify our sustainability strategy and enable us to make a positive, measurable impact.

Charitable Contributions and Grants

MPC and our employees provide support to 501(c)(3) non-profit and government-related organizations and agencies in the form of foundation grants, corporate contributions and sponsorships and workplace giving and volunteerism. While we will accept requests from eligible organizations across our marketing area, preference will be given to communities where the company has a significant operational and employee presence.

We strategically focus community investments on three core areas where it can make a positive, measurable impact: workforce development, sustainability and thriving communities.

Communities Investment Priorities

Workforce Development

From engineers to pipefitters, chemists to accountants, IT specialists to welders, MPC’s success relies on our ability to recruit and retain employees with exceptional skills-based experience. Our goal is to invest in workforce initiatives that better prepare individuals for professional success by increasing access to high-quality educational training and career readiness resources inclusive of vocational, technical and skilled trades.

Sustainability

Consistent with our commitment to meet the needs of today while investing in a sustainable future is our support of community programs involving environmental conservation and sustainability. MPC supports environmental government agencies, community groups, trade organizations and professional and industry associations devoted to protecting, conserving and sustaining natural resources. These efforts may include life sciences and breakthrough research, protecting biodiversity, preserving or creating parks and green spaces, improving air and water quality and increasing access to clean water and food.

Thriving Communities 

We are committed to making our communities stronger, safer and thriving places to live, work and play. MPC provides funding for programs that promote the resiliency of our shared communities including helping to address basic needs, supporting youth development programs and creating opportunities for economic vitality. This also includes safety projects and efforts that help communities better prepare for, mitigate the risks of and respond to disasters, hazards and emergenciess

Background

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives.

Grant Description

This nonprofit capacity-building program supports projects that strengthen the applicant organization, ensuring it has well-organized systems and experienced staff with the training and resources necessary to successfully provide services. Projects must fit into one of the following eight categories:

• Board training and/or board-related consultants
• Executive Director, CEO, or Tribal Administrator recruitment and/or coaching
• Staff training and leadership development
• Volunteer training and skills development
• Strategic or business planning
• Donor development and fundraising planning
• Financial Management Capacity
• Technology Training

The Foundation embraces the protection of biodiversity as its overarching priority.

Frank Weeden, the Foundation’s founder and original benefactor, established the Weeden Foundation to address the impact of growing human populations and overuse of natural resources on the biological fabric of the planet. Since his death in 1984, the Foundation has helped preserve more than 6 million acres of biologically important habitat worldwide and provided financing for the first debt-for-nature swap in Bolivia in 1992, a strategy that is now widely used by international conservation organizations. Program efforts have supported projects in environmentally sensitive regions of the western United States, Alaska, Russia, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Columbia, Ecuador, Belize, Namibia, Mexico, and various Caribbean nations.

Focus Areas

On a more general scale the Foundation supports the following focus areas.

Bird Conservation

Our goal in the Bird Conservation program area is to conserve wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. In particular we seek to fund grantees that work to prevent bird species extinctions and to prevent declining populations of bird species from becoming endangered. We specifically focus on protecting and restoring public and private bird habitat and we assist in acquiring land for threatened bird species. Finally we support protection of bird migration corridors in North and South America.

Systemic Support program at the U.S. national policy level for wildlife corridors, the Endangered Species Act, and additional wilderness designation.

Our goal in Systemic Support is to improve the effectiveness of environmental efforts through specialized services. Specific objectives include:

• support the Endangered Species Act through litigation, lobbying, grassroots campaigns and public education generally,
• promote organizations providing support for groups engaged in wilderness protection, land conservation, endangered species protection, wildlife corridor issues, and management of public lands, an
• improve federal and state support for environmentally sustainable practices, wilderness designations, and wildlife corridors. 

Global Biodiversity

Our goal in Global Biodiversity is to support campaigns and/or groups in biodiversity hotspots. Specific objectives are to

protect global temperate rainforests,

support creation of wildlife corridors,

land acquisition and protection for endangered species and,

support projects that involve indigenous peoples in the process and stewardship of conservation projects.

Environmental Education

The Foundation’s Environment Education program area focuses on supporting grantees that will provide future leaders with the tools to effect environmental policies. These policies complement the other grantees of the Foundation including biodiversity and habitat protection. Sustainable environmental policies must include both immediate actions as well as education to anticipate and to prevent future environmental impact.

Marine Wildlife Conservation

The Marine Wildlife Conservation Program Area focuses on helping to protect endangered marine species in the Americas through research, advocacy, policy change, and habitat conservation.

To address the adverse impact of economic and human population growth on biodiversity, the Foundation’s grantmaking includes both Consumption and Population programs.

The Foundation’s Sustainable Consumption program currently focuses on promoting greater use of environmental paper. Grantmaking in this area aims to broaden the market for environmental papers and packaging through markets campaigns, shareholder activism, consumer-targeted education, and dialogue with the corporate sector. This year we have expanded our packaging program to include efforts to reduce plastics in the waste stream, through strategies such as eliminating single use plastic disposables by promoting reusable packaging for grocery stores, take-out, and delivery.

The Foundation’s International Population program area is focused on reducing population growth rates in countries recognized for their rich biodiverse landscapes and that have a total fertility rate exceeding replacement levels. To achieve this goal, the Foundation funds groups that facilitate initiatives related to family planning, women’s education and women’s empowerment in countries with such rich and recognized biodiversity. The Foundation also supports advocacy efforts addressing global population growth in the context of environmental sustainability.

Rasmuson Foundation

Our mission is clear: To empower Alaskans to help each other. We invest in people, nonprofits, communities and tribes through grants large and small, and we explore ways of making Alaska a healthier and more vibrant place through convenings and close collaborations with those in the know. Since our beginnings in 1955, the Foundation has given more than $500 million toward this mission.

What is Tier 1?

This program primarily supports small capital projects and one-time investments for Alaska-based nonprofits, Tribes, state and local government entities actively serving Alaskans. Applications are accepted year-round, reviewed on a rolling basis, and often receive a decision within 90 days. The maximum award amount is $35,000, with most awards ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.

What We Fund

These grants are great for one-time expenses or things that an organization can buy, build, fix or create. Think technology upgrades, renovation work, vehicles, furnishings, and other small capital investments.

Tier 1 grants are intended to assist with capital needs and one-time investments. These are typically things that you can build, buy, fix, or create. Contact a program officer if you have any questions.

Some examples include:

• Construction and renovation
• Equipment and tools (including medical, musical, scientific, and sports)
• Technology upgrades
• Historic preservation projects
• Library collections
• Office furnishings and appliances
• Playground, park, and trail improvements
• Vehicles, including 4-wheelers and snowmachines

On a limited basis, the Foundation will consider nonprofit or local government sponsored creative works, such as an Alaska-focused film, research, books, exhibits, and other cultural projects. Applications must demonstrate a strong Alaska-specific context, significant community impact, and, when applicable, a well-developed distribution plan.

Shipping, installation, and contracted labor costs may be included in project budgets. Up to 15% of a Tier 1 grant award may be allocated toward indirect and administrative costs.

There is no match requirement for Tier 1 grants. We do look for strong community support of the organization overall, and applicants often include additional funding sources such as local contributions, other grants, or organizational savings.

Tier 2 Grants

Grants of more than $25,000 for large capital (building) projects, projects of demonstrable strategic importance or innovative nature that address issues of broad community or statewide significance.

Tier 2 grants may also support technology updates and creative works that comply with the description above. The project must demonstrate long-term benefits or impacts, and be initiated by an established organization(s) with a history of accomplishment. 

The Foundation is rarely the first, the largest or the only contributor to any Tier 2 project. The Foundation expects the community in which the project is located will provide significant financial support.

The Foundation will consider requests for major capital projects when the following have been demonstrated:

• Strong, committed local cash support is in place
• The board and key staff have supported the project financially
• The site has been secured and permits are in place
• Plans have been completed
• A budget has been developed
• A fundraising plan is in place, if applicable
• Government funding has been requested and/or committed, if that funding reflects a significant portion of the project budget
• Applicant is able to demonstrate that the project is sustainable

Alaska Airlines Foundation

Our grants focus on young people in the communities where we fly.

Our Alaska Airlines Foundation grants focus on young people where Alaska Airlines has a significant presence in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington – especially those in underserved communities in these states. Working closely with community partners, the Alaska Airlines Foundation will focus on programs, partnerships and initiatives that inspire, empower, mentor, engage and equip young people to connect to career opportunities and to imagine what’s possible. The Alaska Airlines Foundation is partnering with organizations with a clear vision on equipping the next generation of leaders with the knowledge, skills and to provide pathways for success.

Grants are designed to fund and enhance a new or current program provided by a 501(c)(3) organization. Preference for grant decisions is toward supporting young people between about the ages of 10 and 20.

Programs should focus on at least one or more of the following:

• Career exploration and career connected learning experiences
• Mentorships
• Soft skills, critical thinking, empowerment, job training and leadership development
• Advanced degree or Career and Technical Certification or preparation and support

Funding

The Alaska Airlines Foundation generally provides grants that range from $5,000 to $20,000. Many of our grants will be on the lower side of that range in the first few years of our new grant criteria, to help us develop partnerships and learn. The average grant will be based on numbers of young people served, geographic reach, organizational capacity, size of operating budget, demonstrated impact, and specific program budget.

Funds should be spent within one year of grant award.

In all cases, the project budget should show reasonable per client costs and no more than 50% of the request can be designated for either general operating costs or staff salaries. The funds requested should not represent more than 10% of the organization's overall operating budget or more than 50% of the program budget.

As one of the world’s largest independent exploration and production companies based on production and proved reserves, ConocoPhillips prides itself on being a great neighbor and a responsible citizen in the communities where we live and work. We recognize that the most effective Charitable Investments are achieved by entering into strategic relationships with organizations that serve the needs of the community and help the company meet its business objectives. We encourage collaborative problem-solving to allocate our Charitable Investments appropriately to achieve performance objectives. 

Local Community Giving

In communities across the globe, our taxes and investments contribute to economic growth, and we also work to determine ways to be good neighbors. This includes working with community members and partners to meaningfully and measurably contribute to each community’s unique needs by identifying and addressing areas of local concern through charitable investments and volunteerism in support of education, health and safety, the environment, the arts, civic and social services, and disaster relief.

With our recent expansion into the Permian, we significantly increased our investment in this region. This funding supported a number of social services and education initiatives. Investments included support for the West Texas Food Bank (WTFB) campus expansion which will help address the needs from the rapidly growing population. Funded education initiatives included support of the Bynum School for children with disabilities, Midland Independent School District Education Foundation and Midland College student scholarships.

Education remains an important focus for our charitable giving. In Alaska, we supported the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP) efforts to place Alaska Natives in science and engineering on a career path to leadership. We also donated $1.5 million in high-tech equipment to seven universities including Prairie View A&M, Colorado School of Mines and Texas Tech University following the decommissioning of our Bartlesville Research Center.

Our Current Priorities

For those requesting support for youth programs, the Foundation will continue to focus on rural BIPOC organizations and allowing organizations to use awarded funds for general operating support.

Recognizing the critical role of BIPOC organizations, the Charlotte Martin Foundation continues to make it a priority to partner with organizations doing progressive work specifically in the areas of youth education and climate change, with a special emphasis on serving communities of color. Three years ago, we created a fellowship designed around researching BIPOC led organizations within our 5-state region that align with our priorities. We recognize that private funding is inequitably given to white-led organizations and we want to show our commitment to redistributing resources to non-dominant, BIPOC organizations.

Increasing Opportunities for BIPOC:

Increasing racial equity and diversity for youth ages 6-18.

BIPOC led nonprofit organizations with diverse leadership and staff are the focus of our grant-making. Organizations based in rural communities are also a priority for our foundation.

Programs that create opportunities in areas of education, cultural expression and athletics. Including but not limited to:

• Increase access to and the creation of diverse cultural experiences.
• Improve school-based and out-of-school learning opportunities in areas such as science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) and other areas.
• Increase early college awareness and access to post-secondary education.
• Increase access to sports and diversify sports programs.

Guidelines for Youth Programs

Our program funding for youth ages 6-18 falls into three areas: Athletics, Culture and Education. Grants for youth programs must fall within one of these three program areas.

Youth Athletics

Athletics include a wide range of individual and team sports, with an emphasis on the value of sports for lifelong participation. School-sponsored intramural and after school sports programs have been greatly reduced, and middle-school aged youth have been most affected. After school athletics can be the incentive that gets kids involved in programs that also have educational and cultural components. Demand is increasing for athletics programs and facilities in rural areas and inner cities. More girls are getting involved in sports, requiring additional programs and space. Coaches are key to a positive experience for young people, and good coaching requires training.

Youth Culture

Culture includes art, music, dance, literature, theater, ethnic and regional heritage. Positive experiences in culture are essential in educating the whole person and should be an integral part of the lives of youth. Young people can use cultural experiences as creative resources to build self-esteem, promote personal growth, and preserve traditions. Arts and culture programs in the schools are being reduced or eliminated, and many communities, both urban and rural, have limited access to cultural resources.

Youth Education

All young people should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Education, in and out of school, happens best when youth direct their learning and engage in compelling problem-solving and critical thinking. Educators need support to play a vital role in assisting youth to investigate their passions and explore new interests. Rural schools often have less access to resources and curricula than urban schools. Both public and private schools need support.

General Information

With support from The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation and the Bader Philanthropies, Inc., Family Caregiver Alliance is pleased to oversee the annual Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards program.

Award Background

In the recent past, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation undertook a review of issues facing caregivers of adults with Alzheimer’s disease. In June 2007, the Foundation published an expert panel discussion report, Strengthening Caregiving for Alzheimer’s Disease, which outlined promising practices, research recommendations, and key principles for caregiver support. It is against this backdrop that the Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards program was initiated. The program promotes the reports’ principles—and innovation in the field of Alzheimer’s disease caregiving—by recognizing and rewarding organizations that lead the way in addressing the needs of Alzheimer’s caregivers. In 2018, the 11th year of the program, the Bader Philanthropies, Inc. joined as a funding partner as reflected in the new name — Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards.

Award Details

One award of $20,000 will be given in each of the following three categories:

Creative Expression

Programs or projects that use novel, creative approaches to support persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their family/informal caregivers. Examples include art, music, theater, poetry, multimedia (e.g. film, documentary, radio), or technology used for creative engagement or other types of creative expression.

Increasing Access and Reducing StigmaPrograms or projects that address a gap or chart a new way to deliver services, support, or outreach to family/informal caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias in diverse racial/ethnic, age, religious/spiritual, LGBTQ+, rural/remote, limited income, and other groups of caregivers with unique needs.

Public Policy

Programs or projects that advocate for policy or systems changes for the benefit of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and/or their family/informal caregivers. These efforts could focus on legislation, executive or administrative changes, media or public awareness campaigns, advocacy campaigns, or any other actions to strengthen public or private recognition and support of family/informal caregivers.

Guidelines

Grants from National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by supporting on-going preservation work and by providing seed money for preservation projects. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain the technical expertise needed for preservation projects, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector.

A small grant at the right time can go a long way and is often the catalyst that inspires a community to take action on a preservation project. Grants generally start at $2,500 and range up to $5,000. The selection process is very competitive.

Eligible Activities

National Trust Preservation Fund grants are awarded for planning activities and education efforts focused on preservation. Grant funds can be used to launch new initiatives or to provide additional support to on-going efforts.

Planning: Supporting existing staff (nonprofit applicants only) or obtaining professional expertise in areas such as architecture, archaeology, engineering, preservation planning, land-use planning, and law. Eligible planning activities include, but are not limited to:

• Hiring a preservation architect or landscape architect, or funding existing staff with expertise in these areas, to produce a historic structure report or historic landscape master plan.
• Hiring a preservation planner, or funding existing staff with expertise in this area, to produce design guidelines for a historic district.
• Hiring a real estate development consultant, or funding existing staff with expertise in this area, to produce an economic feasibility study for the reuse of a threatened structure.
• Sponsoring a community forum to develop a shared vision for the future of a historic neighborhood.
• Organizational capacity building activities such as hiring fundraising consultants, conducting board training, etc.

Education and Outreach: Support for preservation education activities aimed at the public. The National Trust is particularly interested in programs aimed at reaching new audiences. Funding will be provided to projects that employ innovative techniques and formats aimed at introducing new audiences to the preservation movement, whether that be through education programming or conference sessions.

WESTAF’s TourWest Grant provides flexible funding for presenters/presenting organizations within the WESTAF region to support their regional touring program. WESTAF also encourages the inclusion of community/educational outreach as part of an organization’s presentation of touring artists. 

TourWest is a competitive grant program funded by the National Endowment for the Arts to provide subsidies to arts and community organizations in the 13-state WESTAF region and jurisdictions, including Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa for the presentation of touring performers and literary artists. 

Through TourWest, WESTAF and the National Endowment for the Arts aim to encourage the presentation of performing arts programming to culturally diverse audiences and those that do not typically enjoy ready access to the performing arts. In order to understand local needs and interests, WESTAF advocates working directly with individuals and groups from the communities that your organization seeks to serve. Community engagement and participation are key components of a successful TourWest grant application. 

WESTAF defines regional touring as programming that presents out-of-state touring artists and/or in-state touring artists traveling at least 50 miles to your venue. Presenters/presenting organizations are defined as organizations that present or host guest artists for engagements in their communities. Presenters can include but are not limited to community cultural organizations, community centers, churches, schools/colleges/universities, libraries, museums, film festivals/series, and performing arts centers. Typically, producing organizations or performing arts groups are not considered presenters, and are encouraged to contact WESTAF to discuss eligibility.

TourWest seeks to support the engagement of new audiences as well as collaboration between the presenters, artists, agents, and communities. In addition to working collaboratively with the artist(s) and/or community partners in planning the project, WESTAF encourages presenters to take advantage of opportunities such as block booking, presenter networks, and booking conferences to reduce costs and make artistic opportunities available to a broader audience. Partnerships and collaborative efforts between presenters are considered in the panel’s evaluation of an application and project.

Program Requirements

TourWest 2023- 2024 support is available to organizations that meet the following programmatic requirements:

• Support applies to activities between September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024.
• Applicants may submit one application.
• Applicants are required to apply for grants that support the presentation of out-of-state touring performers, musicians, and literary artists as part of administering the organization’s regional touring programming. As described above, regional touring is defined as at least 50 miles from the performance venue. Applicants are encouraged to feature performers from the western United States; however, the performers do not have to be from WESTAF’s region and can be internationally based.
• TourWest funds can be used to support performances in festivals. The festival organization itself, not individual presenters participating in the festival, may apply.
• TourWest funds are federal funds and require a one-to-one cash match. As the grant award will support a portion of regional touring program expenses, the remaining program expense amount is to be paid by the grantee and is considered the cash match for the grant.
  • Grantees cannot match Arts Endowment funds to other Arts Endowment grants funds or other federal funds, nor get two different federal grants for the same program costs (overlapping costs).
  • Grantees cannot match resources with another Arts Endowment award or other federal program.
  • Certain contributions or gifts provided to your organization are restricted and cannot be used to support the program.
  • Gifts (bequeathed or otherwise) that are not available to your organization during the award period of performance cannot be used to match the Arts Endowment award.
• TourWest funds cannot be used in any portion for institutional overhead or F&A costs or applied to any indirect costs. These funds, which are made possible through the National Endowment for the Arts regional touring program, are to be specifically directed to regional touring programming.

Sports 4 Life Partner Funding Cycle

Sports 4 Life offers community funding and seeks to effect sustainable improvement to the overall health and development of girls in these communities through grant making, leadership training and capacity-building efforts.

Sports 4 Life, cofounded by the Women’s Sports Foundation and ESPN in 2014, was created based on the knowledge that while sports participation offers tremendous life-long benefits – from improved physical health and self-esteem, to better grades in school and enhanced leadership skills – young girls of color are disproportionately excluded.

The program seeks to increase the participation and retention of Black, African-American, Hispanic and/or Native American girls, inclusive of American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Grant Allocation

Funding can be used for coaching, curriculum, equipment, uniforms, transportation, facility rental, tournaments and/or team-building activities, all while fostering the Sports 4 Life benefits: leadership, self-esteem, confidence and perseverance.

Ms. Foundation for Women

The mission of the Ms. Foundation for Women is to build women’s collective power in the U.S. to advance equity and justice for all. We achieve our mission by investing in, and strengthening, the capacity of women-led movements to advance meaningful social, cultural and economic change in the lives of women. Ms. has six grantmaking initiatives, one of which is the Birth Justice Initiative.

Birth Justice Initiative

Our Birth Justice Initiative aims to:

• advance equitable birth outcomes and experiences;
• strengthen the capacity, organizational infrastructure, and financial stability of grassroots Black, Indigenous and women of color-led birth justice organizations; and
• expand the frame of birth justice to support intersectional movements and strategies that recognize the full spectrum of experiences and identities in birthing, parenting, and family building.

We believe that Black, Indigenous, and women of color (including trans women and non-binary people) are key experts and should be decision-makers in shaping policy and culture change around birth justice. By investing directly into organizations led by and for women and girls of color, we are ensuring that the movement to address racial based disparities in healthcare, including birth outcomes and experiences, is led by those who are impacted most. Strengthening the collective power of communities of color is critical to addressing the root causes of these disparities and advancing birth justice for all.

The U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates of all developed nations and Black women die at three to four times the rate of white women in birth – one of the widest racial disparities in women’s health. Systemic racism, implicit bias, and anti-Blackness all contribute to the significant disparities in birth outcomes among Black, Indigenous and birthing people of color. Moreover, the spectrum of intersectional issues that comprise birth justice and the ability to have children and parent with dignity, are not only limited to the birth process.

As such, the Ms. Foundation’s Birth Justice Initiative invests in organizations who represent the full spectrum of birth experiences including–but not limited to–preconception health, mental health and wellness, infertility, abortion access and abortion care, comprehensive sex and sexuality education, non-racist culturally affirming and gender expansive healthcare, access to birth workers of color, access to lactation support and services, postpartum health and wellness, grief and loss care and support, and sexual assault prevention and survivor support services. Organizations supported collectively utilize a range of movement building strategies to advance birth justice—such as narrative change, policy and systems change, advocacy, leadership development, direct service among others. And finally, they work at the intersection of birth justice and other movements, such as disability justice, youth justice, LGBTQIA+ justice, environmental justice, economic justice, and criminal legal reform.

Funding

During this cycle, Ms. will provide one-time grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 to selected organizations not currently receiving funding from Ms.’ Birth Justice Initiative. The grant period will comprise two years.

About School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network (SBHSN).

Utilizing a unique framework of funding systems offered by the Department of Health and Human Services, managed care organizations, health insurers, and private donors, SBHSN promotes a system of care model (Coaching Model℠) offering a mix of evidenced-based intervention, prevention, and care coordination services to children in grades K-12. The Coaching Model aims to expand quality mental healthcare access on public school campuses and improve children's social, emotional, behavioral, family, and wellness outcomes.

School-Based Mental Health Implementation Grant

In response to the growing number of students who need mental health counseling, the School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network (SBHSN) is accepting applications from Local Education Agencies (LEA), Public and Private Universities, State and local Colleges, Charter School Management Companies, Public Schools, Charter Schools, and Non-Profit Organizations (501c3) to implement and expand mental health program services on local school campuses. Grantees will receive direct funding and reimbursement to support the following activities: 

• Expanding access to School-Based Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).
• Coordinating mental healthcare services with school administration and staff. 
• Delivering mental healthcare services and coordinating academic-support activities to students with a history of attendance, behavior, and poor academic performance.

FUNDING

5-Years, renewable based on meeting performance goals 5-year award ceiling is $5,500,000.

The Avista Foundation, a community investment program of Avista Corp., provides funding to non-profit organizations addressing the needs of communities and citizens served by Avista Utilities in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, portions of southern Oregon, and Sanders County, Montana. The Avista Foundation also serves communities and citizens served by Alaska Electric Light and Power Co. in the City and Borough of Juneau.​

The Avista Foundation also includes a matching gifts program for employees of Avista Corp.​​​​ and Alaska Electric Light and Power Co.​

Focus Areas

Avista’s philanthropy programs are focused on education, environment, vulnerable and limited income populations, and economic and cultural vitality.

Sponsorships

Applications for sponsorships are accepted year round. Sponsorships are for the support of events, not programs or the purchase of assets. Applicants should allow 90 days for review of a request for sponsorship.

Investing in Our Communities

At OneCause, our Why is to build better tomorrows for nonprofits like yours, your supporters, and the impact you create together! To live our Why, we go beyond industry-leading software, services, and support by offering innovative programs to move your mission forward.

Our Corporate Grants Program helps nonprofits leverage technology to raise more life-changing funds and reach more donors. We offer two technology-based grants annually to registered 501c3 organizations, up to $10,000 each, used to underwrite OneCause fundraising software. Because an investment in nonprofits is an investment in our communities.

Grant Focus Areas

Mental Health & Wellness:

Everyone has a right to a safe and healthy environment. We’re looking for organizations that promote self-care and wellness to help triumph a meaningful life, free from mental illness, hunger, poverty, and social injustices or inequities. Tell us how you help members of your community reach their highest potential – mind, body, and soul.

Community:

Does your organization empower populations to thrive and grow in safe environments? Share how you contribute to community strength and pride in culture by embracing and expanding diversity, encouraging mutual support, and preserving important community history.

Sustainability:

The planet we call home needs protection now, more than ever, so that its ecosystems and biodiversity can be preserved for future generations. How does your organization help guard the planet and conserve our natural resources that are essential to our global community?

What does OneCause look for in a potential grantee?

OneCause looks at the following factors when awarding grants:

• Alignment with cause focus areas
• Needs based
• Software use case for fundraising or awareness building
• Clear focus on how the software will further the mission
• Adhering to deadline and application completeness
• Organization’s commitment to fulfilling grantee responsibilities

What is a technology-based grant?

The OneCause Corporate Grants Program provides nonprofit organizations access to OneCause software products and services to help expand their collective impact. The program includes two (2) donated subscriptions per organization (two full years, worth up to $10,000), service, support, and consulting plus discounts on additional subscriptions, products, and/or services from OneCause.

Does OneCause provide monetary award in lieu of technology-based grant?

Currently, the OneCause Corporate Grants Program is a technology-based grant offering.

The technology-based grant may be applied toward the following:

• Fundraising Platform
• Text2Give
• Online Giving
• Ambassador Fundraising
• Peer-to-Peer Solutions
• Professional Services
• Add-On Consulting Services
• Add-On Virtual Services

Grant also includes:

• Grant Liaison Representative
• Customer Success Manager
• Phone, Chat & Email Support
• Consulting
• OneCause University Fundraising Courses
• Access to OneCause Webinars and Fundraising Resources

NDN Collective

NDN Foundation’s grantmaking upholds our mission to build the collective power of Indigenous Peoples, communities and Nations to exercise our inherent right to self-determination while fostering a world built on a foundation of justice and equity for all people and Mother Earth.

As changemakers, we are committed to dramatically increasing philanthropic investment into Indigenous-led organizations and modeling a mindset of abundance. We integrate culture and ceremony into our work by acknowledging and paying respects to our elders and past while taking control of our future. We believe in, invest in and support: Indigenous self-determination, free and liberated thought and expression, Indigenous genius and ingenuity, and sustainable community-based solutions.

Our grantmaking will support and advance these values and the following three core principles and strategies:

Defend

Indigenous Peoples, communities and Nations defend and protect our land, air, water, and natural resources from negative resource extraction and exploitation.

Develop

Indigenous Peoples, communities, and Nations are developed in a regenerative and sustainable manner based on our values and connection to land, culture and identity.

Decolonize

Indigenous ceremonies, cultures, languages, and ways of life are revitalized, recognized and celebrated. We use grantmaking as a temporary tool with the hope that our movements for liberation and justice will end its necessity. We use it less for charitable purposes, but for mutual aide, solidarity with movement builders and in the spirit of intentional reciprocity.\

Community Action Fund 

Modest urgent response grants are provided to frontline organizations, groups and individuals most impacted by local challenges, ensuring that resources and decision-making lies with those who are best equipped to solve pressing issues and address imminent threats. The Community Action Fund is a one-time, short-term grant for direct action initiatives.

What does support look like

CAF supports community organizing and movement building work designed to shift the political and financial systems that negatively impact our communities.  This may include direct action and climate disaster response efforts, comprehensive organizing work; frontline and camp infrastructure, and community-based responses to climate disasters such as flooding, fires, and earthquakes.

Direct expenses may include funding for travel, climate response items, supplies, equipment, consultants, contractual services and staff that support various forms of NVDA (non-violent direct action), i.e., marches, camps, boycotts, prayer vigils and walks that are part of an action, organizing or protest to affect change. Action may also include community-based response to climate events such as flooding, fires and earthquakes.

Community Action Fund Purpose and Intent

We support Indigenous frontline communities, Nations, organizers, actions and movements in their work to DEFEND Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and protect their land, air, water, and natural resources.  

Community Action Fund (CAF) grants support direct actions and organizing efforts that are often urgent and time sensitive. CAF prioritizes frontline, grassroots and community-based efforts that defend Indigenous peoples rights, communities and nations, including responses to climate disasters.

Grant Amount

The average grant award is $15,000 but can range up to $40,000.

Grant Term

Grant terms are a maximum of six months.

Mission

Action for Healthy Kids is a nonprofit organization mobilizing family-school partnerships to prepare kids to be healthy in body and mind.Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards

Embark on a journey with our streamlined Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards, designed to make the application process easier and faster. As part of a cooperative agreement to develop and implement the USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) Initiative, Action for Healthy Kids is recognizing and celebrating School Food Authorities (SFA) who have made operational changes to improve the nutritional quality of their school meals, as well as SFAs who engage students and families in nutrition education and in the planning and preparation of nutritious school meals. For example, one SFA might have introduced a “Build Your Plate” station where students can customize their meals with a variety of nutritious options, while another might have organized cooking classes for students and parents to learn how to prepare healthy meals at home.

Small and/or Rural School SFA Breakfast Trailblazer Award

Small changes in your lunch menu can shake up big flavors and get you to your target. The Small and/or Rural Lunch Trailblazer has reduced sodium in their school menus and recipes.

The Trailblazer Award Series highlights SFAs paving the path with gradual changes in school menus to be consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, specifically for reducing sodium in school lunch and added sugars in school breakfast.

AgWest Farm Credit

AgWest Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative with more than a century of experience serving farmers, ranchers, timber harvesters, and aquatic producers throughout the West. 

Rural Community Grants

AgWest Farm Credit is committed to improving the economic and social well-being of rural communities.

We are looking for creative and collaborative approaches to address challenges and provide opportunities to people who live in rural communities. This program provides grants to non-profit organizations for projects that improve rural communities within Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. This includes efforts such as building or improving facilities; purchasing necessary equipment to facilitate a local program; and funding capital improvements which enhance a community’s infrastructure, viability and/or prosperity.

Examples of rural community grant projects

• Fire engine for rural fire department
• Multi-purpose community building
• Improving community park facilities
• Computers for a community center’s educational classes

Grant amounts

Maximum grant request is $5000. Due to growing demand, the average amount awarded is between $500 and $2,500. An organization may only be awarded grant funds once per calendar year.

Is your organization working towards food justice for kids in the United States? If so, this is your chance to receive up to $100,000 in grant funding over the next 2 years and deepen your impact!

We’re seeking applications from organizations working in two priority program areas: 

• Indigenous Food Justice
• Nutrition Education and School Food

Why Food Justice for Kids

In the United States, more than 1 in 6 children (13.4 million) live in households where they do not have enough nutritious food to eat or know where their next meal may come from. This rate is significantly higher for some populations. For example, 1 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native households are food insecure. We know what can work, as increased funding for nutrition assistance programs during the pandemic led to a significant decrease in childhood hunger. However, much of that progress was lost starting in 2022, with the termination of those benefits.

Food insecurity is associated with several adverse outcomes, including delayed development, chronic diseases (such as asthma and anemia), and increased anxiety and depression. Such outcomes can limit children’s ability to live healthful lifestyles, thrive, and realize their full potential.

Newman’s Own Foundation envisions the United States as a country where all children have access to nutritious, culturally relevant foods; learn about healthy foods and sustainable food systems; and have opportunities to grow, gather, and cook food and be nourished physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

About the Prize

Up to $1M in total funding (over two years) is available for nonprofits, public schools, and tribes working to advance food justice for kids in the United States and its territories.

As many as 10 applicants (5 for each of our priority program areas) will receive up to $50,000 each in 2024, with the opportunity for an additional grant of up to $50,000 each in 2025. In 2026 and beyond, these grantee partners may be eligible for further funding.

Applicants who reach the finalist stage may also be considered for a $10,000 grant awarded through the Newman’s Own Foundation Community Choice Award.

In addition to receiving a grant of up to $50,000, the Food Justice for Kids grantee partners will have the opportunity to participate in a learning cohort, meeting periodically throughout the year (virtually) to network, share best practices, and engage in activities that can be leveraged for greater growth and impact. Grantee partners will then have an opportunity in 2025 to apply for an additional grant of up to $50,000.