Local Social Advocacy Grants

The North Carolina IOLTA's Civil Legal Aid Grant Program aims to provide general support for a network of organizations that ensure basic access to the justice system for indigent individuals across all counties in North Carolina. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to support civil legal aid, encompassing direct representation, training, and technical assistance for eligible clients and groups. Organizations, whether staffed or utilizing pro bono lawyers, contribute to this mission by offering crucial legal services without charge to clients who meet the indigency criteria. The program primarily targets North Carolina residents who are indigent, defined as individuals at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or eligible for public assistance. Impact goals center on expanding access to justice for these low-income clients, particularly those who are not currently being reached or who require services not otherwise available. The program also seeks to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and collaboration within the civil legal aid delivery system to ensure high-quality legal assistance for the poor. The program offers four main areas of funding, each with distinct priorities. General Civil Legal Aid Grants provide programmatic support to non-profit legal aid organizations whose primary purpose is to serve low-income clients. Project Support Grants focus on specific client subgroups or service types, addressing unmet needs. Pro Bono Support Grants are dedicated to developing and expanding efforts to engage lawyers in voluntary legal services, specifically for indigent clients. Finally, System Support Grants aim to improve the overall civil legal aid delivery system through initiatives like training, research, program innovations, and online tools. Funding criteria prioritize applicants providing direct representation to clients or client groups, including extended representation, brief advice, community legal education, and community economic development. Preference is given to staffed civil legal aid organizations, recognizing them as the most effective means of delivery, with pro bono efforts serving as a vital supplement. The program also favors current qualified providers and organizations with diverse funding sources, emphasizing a sustainable approach to providing legal services. The expected outcomes include increased access to legal services for indigent populations, improved program efficiency, enhanced collaboration among legal aid providers, and ultimately, a more equitable justice system for low-income North Carolinians. The grant period for these initiatives is January 1 to December 31, 2025.

The Portland Office of Violence Prevention's 2024-2025 Safer Portland Grant is an opportunity to help reduce gun violence through community-based prevention efforts. Who should apply? The 2024-2025 grant prioritizes efforts in the following Portland neighborhoods, including: Cully; Hazelwood; Eliot; Powellhurst-Gilbert; and/or Areas known for high rates of gun violence. Applicants supporting efforts in all neighborhoods, even those outside the priority areas, are encouraged to apply. We encourage organizations that serve culturally specific communities, women and female identifying communities, African Immigrant/Refugee communities, and the LGBTQIA+ community to apply. What programs are supported by the grant? Examples of programs and activities that can be supported through this grant include: Preventative programs, workshops, camps, and events; Flexible funds for direct community assistance and services; Youth and adult mediation and mentoring programs; Arts and culture or recreational violence preventative programs; Aftercare support funds for families of victims; and Capacity building in small contractors to provide services. How much funding is available? A total of $500,000 is available. Organizations can apply for up to $100,000. Grant awards may vary based on the scope of work and number of community members served. How to apply? Visit the City of Portland Webgrants website - https://cityofportlandgrants.net - and create an account. Select "Click here to register." Fill out the required information. Under "Program area of interest," select "ovp - office of violence prevention." Answer the remaining questions. When finished, select "Save registration information." Once your account is created, you will receive two separate emails with your login and password information. Log on to the City of Portland Webgrants website. Access the Safer Portland Grant and fill out the application and budget forms. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on May 17, 2024. Questions? For more information, contact Riamyrie Walter at [email protected].

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in the Toledo area to collaborate effectively, improve service delivery, and achieve cost savings through shared resources and strategic partnerships.

This program provides funding to Shaker Heights residents and community groups for projects that promote inclusivity, cultural celebration, and social engagement to strengthen community connections.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in Philadelphia that provide programs focused on preventing gun violence, mentoring girls, and offering trauma-informed services, particularly during the summer months.

The IMPACT Bucks grant, supported by BLBB Charitable, Bucks County Foundation (BCF), and Foundations Community Partnership, aims to strengthen communities by fostering economic self-sufficiency and opportunity for socially and/or economically disadvantaged individuals. This initiative directly aligns with BCF's mission to identify and address community concerns, particularly for underserved populations, and to promote creative and collaborative solutions to community problems. The grant seeks to support nonprofits whose work in Bucks County directly improves the lives of residents. The target beneficiaries for the IMPACT Bucks grant are socially and/or economically disadvantaged people within Bucks County. The overarching impact goal is to create safe, healthy, and thriving communities by improving economic self-sufficiency and opportunity for these individuals. BCF emphasizes supporting underserved populations and promoting solutions that address the root causes of community problems, rather than just the symptoms. The grant prioritizes innovative projects and collaborative efforts among community groups or organizations to address unmet needs. BCF is looking for proposals that respect individual concerns while seeking community-wide solutions. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) nonprofits with a Bucks County client population that constitutes 50% or more of their total client base, and whose proposed projects directly benefit Bucks County. Expected outcomes include improved economic self-sufficiency, increased opportunities for disadvantaged individuals, and stronger, more resilient communities within Bucks County. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the grant's focus on addressing community concerns and promoting solutions suggests that successful projects will demonstrate tangible improvements in the economic well-being and overall health of the target population. This one-time, 12-month grant award of $75,000 per partner (totaling $225,000 for the IMPACT grant award opportunity) signifies a strategic commitment from the foundations to drive meaningful and measurable change at the community level.

This grant provides financial support to arts and cultural organizations, individual artists, and local schools in Rowan County to enhance access to arts and cultural opportunities.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in developing storytelling and communication strategies to promote a pilot program that boosts wages for child care workers in King County, ultimately advocating for sustained investment in early childhood care.

This grant provides funding to Boston residents and community groups to host neighborhood block parties that foster community engagement and connection during the summer.

This grant provides financial support to volunteer-driven nonprofit organizations that serve the residents of Monte Sereno through free community services and events.

This program recognizes and rewards individuals, organizations, and students in Raleigh for their outstanding efforts in environmental stewardship, sustainability, and climate action.

The Neighborhood Beautification Grant (NBG) initiative, a component of the City's Community Partnerships & Engagement Division (CPED), is designed to engage and encourage residents to work with their neighbors on enhancement and improvement projects. The core mission of NBG is to promote healthier, safer, and cleaner neighborhoods, while simultaneously strengthening community connections and the social fabric within them. The City Council has approved an allocation of $42,000 for these beautification projects, distributed equally at $6,000 to each Council District and the Mayor's office. The NBG targets a broad range of beneficiaries including any resident, group, and/or organization with a new or established community project in Salinas. Specifically, residents, community-led groups, advocacy groups, art organizations, apartment or community associations, and neighborhood watch groups are encouraged to apply. The impact goals are centered around cultivating healthy and resilient neighborhoods, supporting engaged and informed residents, stimulating a thriving community, and properly managing shared assets and spaces. The ultimate aim is to achieve a collective impact in the development of neighborhood communities and service delivery strategies to improve the overall quality of life in Salinas. The program prioritizes projects that can be completed within the established timeline, promote neighborhood self-help efforts, and foster neighborhood improvement and beautification. Furthermore, projects must provide health and safety benefits, have confirmed neighborhood support, be visible and accessible to all city residents, and address a specific neighborhood need. Eligibility also requires that group projects focus on beautification, restoration, neighborhood improvements, fostering neighborhood leadership, or addressing neighborhood problems, with each group including at least five volunteers or members. The expected outcomes and measurable results of the NBG initiative include tangible improvements in neighborhood aesthetics, safety, and community engagement. By supporting projects that are visible and accessible to all city residents, the program aims to create a widespread positive impact. The emphasis on confirmed neighborhood support and self-help efforts suggests a theory of change that empowers communities to drive their own improvements, leading to more sustainable and impactful results. While the document does not explicitly detail the foundation's strategic priorities or theory of change beyond the NBG's objectives, the program's design implicitly aligns with strategies that foster civic participation, local ownership, and community-led development for urban betterment.

This program provides funding to local nonprofit organizations that support the social, family, and economic well-being of residents in Claremont, including students of the Claremont Unified School District.

The Equity Funds, a discretionary grantmaking initiative by Community Foundation Boulder County, are designed to address various needs across Boulder County. These funds align directly with the Foundation's mission to enhance community well-being by engaging donors in philanthropy and distributing grants to support diverse groups. The initiative comprises three distinct funds: BRAVO, Open Door, and Veterans, each with specific strategic priorities and target beneficiaries, all contributing to the broader goal of building resiliency and fostering opportunities within the community. The BRAVO Fund specifically targets Latino communities in Boulder County, aiming to improve their quality of life by promoting social justice, strengthening Latino leadership, and empowering them through philanthropy. Priority is given to projects that bolster the arts, environmental, health and human services, civic, educational, and cultural aspects of these communities, particularly those initiated by Latinos. The expected outcome is to support community-led initiatives that build resilience and foster active voices, with approximately $6,500 available for grants this year, with minimum grants of $1,000. The Open Door Fund focuses on supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals and allies in Boulder County. Its strategic priorities include supporting the strengths and needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, building community, fostering collaboration, and providing support for organizations serving this population. The fund prioritizes new and emerging ideas that contribute to systemic change, with a preference for primarily LGBTQ+-focused organizations. With approximately $50,000 available this year, and minimum grants of $1,000, the fund aims to cultivate a stronger, more inclusive LGBTQ+ community and facilitate dialogue with the broader community. Finally, the Veterans Fund is dedicated to supporting Boulder County Veterans and their families through grants to community partners. This fund's mission is to support the strengths and needs of Veterans and transitioning service members, build community among them, foster education about Veterans’ issues, and provide support for relevant organizations. Priority is given to projects and organizations demonstrating strong Veteran involvement in planning and implementation. The fund has approximately $11,500 available for grants this year, with minimum grants of $1,000, aiming to create, sustain, or expand programs and projects that directly benefit Veterans and their families. Eligibility for all funds requires grantees to be IRS 501(c)(3) public charities or governmental entities, with funds used exclusively for activities within Boulder County or benefiting its residents, ensuring local impact and alignment with the Foundation's charitable objectives.

This award recognizes individuals, businesses, and advocacy groups in Monroe County for their significant contributions to improving race relations, justice, and human rights.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofits in Orange County that promote renewable energy awareness and environmental stewardship.

The City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department is offering Violence Reduction Grants, a community-based initiative designed to annually invest in evidence-based violence prevention projects within Bloomington neighborhoods. This program aims to strengthen grassroots organizations focused on violence prevention, ensuring resources reach the residents who need them most. The city has allocated $150,000 to support these efforts, allowing eligible organizations to apply for grants up to $25,000. This initiative directly aligns with a mission to prevent, intervene, and reduce violence, fostering safer and more resilient communities. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations, resident councils, and faith communities serving Bloomington neighborhoods. There is a particular encouragement for applicants with proven experience in crime intervention and addressing issues related to retaliatory and youth-involved violence. The primary impact goal is to directly support community efforts to prevent, intervene, and reduce violence, with a focus on strengthening local capacity and ensuring equitable access to resources for those most affected. The program prioritizes applications that involve collaborations with two or more partners, recognizing the enhanced impact of collective action in addressing complex community challenges. This focus on partnership is a key strategic priority, aiming to leverage diverse strengths and foster comprehensive violence reduction strategies. The underlying theory of change suggests that by empowering and funding neighborhood-based agencies, the city can effectively reduce violence through evidence-based prevention and intervention, leading to tangible improvements in community safety and well-being. Expected outcomes include a decrease in various forms of violence, particularly retaliatory and youth-involved incidents, within Bloomington neighborhoods. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of successful violence prevention projects implemented, the reach and engagement of these projects within targeted communities, and, ideally, a reduction in crime rates and violence-related incidents over time. The program's success will be evaluated based on its ability to strengthen grassroots organizations, foster collaborative community efforts, and ultimately contribute to a safer environment for all Bloomington residents.

The City of Bangor Commission on Cultural Development in Maine is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to individual artists and non-profit arts and cultural organizations, requiring a 1:1 match, to support projects that enhance the city's cultural vitality and directly serve the Bangor community.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Washington, D.C. to engage underserved communities in the city's long-term planning process, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the future.

The Charles County Forestry Grant Program, offered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust in partnership with Charles County, aims to implement cost-effective reforestation and afforestation projects. The program seeks to increase tree canopy, create forest habitat, improve water quality, and provide ecosystem services such as potable water and air quality. Eligible projects should be in Charles County, Maryland, and must place reforested areas under an easement for protection in perpetuity. Applicants can request up to $20,000, with typical requests being less than $4,500 per acre. Matching funds are encouraged but not required.