Imagine Learning Grant for Impactful Change

The Imagine Signature Grant Program, administered by the Imagine Learning Foundation (ILF), supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to expanding the well-being of learners and their support systems outside of the classroom. The Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity distinct from its sponsor, Imagine Learning, which is known for digital-first K–12 educational solutions. ILF’s mission emphasizes fostering student success through community-based and family-centered well-being initiatives. Since 2021, the Foundation has disbursed over $1.86 million through 40 grants, impacting over 413,000 students across 1,700 U.S. communities. The purpose of the Signature Grant Program is to amplify nonprofit efforts that align with ILF’s mission and annual funding priorities. The 2026 cycle focuses on service-oriented programming that activates students’ support ecosystems—families, mentors, caregivers, and community members—outside traditional classrooms. The emphasis is on cultivating authentic, age-appropriate service opportunities where youth lead, collaborate, and reflect. These initiatives aim to foster emotional, mental, and physical well-being while building social connection and a sense of purpose. The program seeks applicants whose proposed initiatives address key issues such as chronic absenteeism, student housing insecurity, and broader social-emotional support needs. Ineligible projects include capital construction, endowments, retroactive funding, scholarships, and religious or political programming. PreK–12 schools and school districts are also ineligible. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in the United States, and priority is given to those operating in high-need communities, serving more than 150 individuals, and with limited access to large-scale funding. For 2026, the Foundation expects to award at least $600,000 in total, with individual grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. The funding term lasts up to fifteen months and may begin on or after July 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the ZoomGrants online portal, where all required documents, such as financial statements and program budgets, must be uploaded. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and the Foundation retains the discretion to close the application window early if volume thresholds are met. The application process consists of four phases: eligibility determination, submission of the grant application, internal review, and notification of award status. The timeline for the 2026 cycle is as follows: applications opened on February 9, 2026, and are due by April 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST. Award notifications are scheduled for June 2026, with public announcements to follow in August or September. Successful applicants will be required to submit a progress report within 120 days of the project start date, a final impact report within 30 days of the end date, and an optional post-term update. Applicants are expected to provide a detailed project narrative including purpose, problem statement, implementation plan, timeline, evaluation metrics, and sustainability plan. The Foundation seeks proposals that demonstrate a clear impact on learners’ well-being beyond academic settings and that include measurable outcomes. All awarded grantees must agree to ILF’s public relations protocols and participate in the Foundation’s grant communication initiatives. The grant portal, hosted at https://zoomgrants.com/zgf/ILFsignature2026, provides access to the full application and guidelines.

Focus on service learning, measurable outcomes, and family/community engagement; complete and well-aligned applications preferred.