National Grassroots Organizing Program
Ben & Jerry's Foundation - National Grassroots Organizing Grants
We believe those most impacted by inequity and injustice are in the best position to develop solutions. Our intent is to achieve a better future for all by providing support to community-based, grassroots organizations confronting social and environmental injustice. We are inspired by Civil Rights icon John Lewis’ admonition, “Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
The National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) offers two-year unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year, with an average grant size of $20,000 per year, to small (budgets under $350,000), constituent-led grassroots organizations throughout the United States and its territories.
APPLICATIONS FOR 2025 ARE NOW OPEN.
As we use a rolling process, you may submit anytime throughout the year.
OUR APPROACH TO FUNDING
While our broad goals are to further social and environmental justice, our primary purpose is to support the local leadership and grassroots organizing activities of our grant partners rather than any specific issues the organizations are addressing. We are interested in supporting groups that are carrying out activities that build support and collective action to address impacts of inequity and injustice in their communities.
We are guided by common principles of community organizing which we look for in proposals. In general these are:
- The organization is led by the people directly impacted by the issues the organization works on, and those people have clear decision-making power.
- A plan with clear goals to gain rights, win collective political power and create positive community change.
- An assessment of the problem being addressed and best tactics to employ.
- Outreach, networking, and ally gaining activities that build support and momentum.
- Educational activities and events that inform and motivate and build support.
We know that organizing can take many forms. Some grassroots organizing activities might include but are not limited to:
- Community & ally outreach
- Leadership development of constituents
- Constituent empowerment & decision-making
- Popular education
- Campaign development
- Mobilizing constituents & allies
- Coalition building
- Non-violent direct action (NVDA)
Requirements
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING, EACH APPLICANT ORGANIZATION MUST:
- Have an annual operating budget under $350,000
- Use grassroots, collective-action organizing campaigns as the primary strategy for creating social change
- Be a non-profit with 501(c)3 status, or have a fiscal agent with this status
- Be U.S.-based and exclusively U.S.-focused
Apply
Learn more and apply at: https://benandjerrysfoundation.org/national-grants/
Shared Via Common River
This opportunity was sourced via Common River, a weekly newsletter and platform for climate funding opportunities and roles. Subscribe and explore more at https://www.ourcommonriver.org/
Related Resources
The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation was created to fund organizations here in Vermont and around the country that are working for progressive social change.
We do this by:
ENGAGING EMPLOYEES
As a foundation that advances grassroots leadership, we strive to model that approach in our own operations. Working with the company, the Foundation creates opportunities for Ben & Jerry’s staff members from across the organization to learn about our funding priorities and to participate in the grantmaking process.
Giving to Vermont Communities
Through our Vermont grant programs, we strive to support and enhance the well-being of Vermont and Vermonters – giving back to our home state and the communities where we live and work.
Supporting Social Justice
Our national grant program supports grassroots organizations & movements throughout the U.S. working to change unjust, underlying conditions in order to bring about a more equitable society.
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