Give a Sick Child More Time With Family

     Faced with a child’s illness, life stops overnight and parents enter a world of fear and worry. For parents who don’t live close to the medical care their child needs, there’s an added stress: Distance. 
     Hundreds of families in our region travel hours every day to come to the DC area for treatment. Living expenses quickly add up. Long drives, lost jobs, worried siblings, sleeping in cars. Being far from family and friends. These are extra burdens no family should have to experience.
     At Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Washington, DC (RMHCDC), our mission is to ease the hardship of childhood illness on families and children. And we need your help!  
     Your support of just $15 will cover a one-night stay for a family when their child needs medical care.  Donate now to give families the ability to spend more time with their sick children, to interact with their doctors, and to make important decisions about their children’s care.

Give now at www.rmhcdc.org. 

For more information, contact Sarah Quillen at squillen@rmhcdc.org or (202) 424-2708.

​Cafritz Foundation Grants
Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation

Grant amount: US $10,000 - US $250,000 

Fields of work: Civic Engagement & Education, Homelessness Services, Child Foster Care & Adoption Services, Juvenile Justice Education, Marine/Ocean Conservation 

Applicant type: Nonprofit
Funding uses: Education / Outreach, General Operating Expense, Project / Program
Location of project: District of Columbia, Counties in Maryland: Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Counties in Virginia: Alexandria city, Arlington County Show all

The Foundation seeks to be responsive to community issues and needs. Our process is highly competitive and is open to new projects and new organizations. The following summary, Examples of our Grant-Making, is offered to help guide applicants. While this is not intended to be an exhaustive description and may, as appropriate, change over time, we hope that the following will suggest the kind of meaningful work in which the Foundation is seeking to invest.

Generally, the Foundation looks to support work that improves the lives of DC-area residents, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable and underserved individuals. We encourage organizations that provide comprehensive services and work towards systemic change, which addresses all levels of, and all who are affected by, the issue. The goal is that all in the region become self-sufficient and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. We search for nonprofits that also employ effective partnering and show cultural competence in engaging effectively with communities and people of various cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. On occasion, the Foundation invests directly in strengthening the nonprofit sector by helping current grantees to build organizational capacity and by supporting advocacy and other efforts.

Grants are made in five program areas, including: 

Community Services:
Community Development: The Foundation’s Community Development grant-making includes affordable housing production and preservation, homeless services, transitional and permanent supportive housing, foreclosure and eviction prevention, community economic development and wealth building, and civic engagement

Children, Youth and Families: The Foundation’s Children, Youth and Families portfolio includes out-of-school time programs, youth development and academic enrichment in schools, as well as programs for homeless youth or those in the foster care and juvenile justice systems.

Justice: Access, Violence Prevention, Reentry: The Foundation invests in organizations and programs that help increase access to justice for low-income individuals.

Environment:
The Foundation strives to preserve the region’s resources and raise awareness so that individuals can enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives in a clean environment. Through our grant-making, we support groups that are concerned with our natural environment’s past, present and future. To help restore and protect our region’s natural resources, we have focused on local parks, the Anacostia and Potomac rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We have also funded programs that create future stewards. Through such education and outreach efforts, the public becomes more aware of the dangers of an unhealthy environment — including pesticides and toxins — and better understands the need to protect open natural spaces.

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website at https://www.cafritzfoundation.org/grants/recent-grants/

Eligibility:
IRS-registered, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations with a public charity status of 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) only.
These organizations must serve residents in the District of Columbia, Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties in Maryland, Arlington and Fairfax Counties, and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church in Virginia.​​

Cowles Charitable Trust Grant
Cowles Charitable Trust

Next deadline: September 1, 2024

Grant amount: Unspecified amount 
Fields of work: Social Justice / Human Rights Art & Culture Health & Medicine Education
Applicant type: Nonprofit
Funding uses: Project / Program, Education / Outreach, General Operating Expense
Location of project: Anywhere in the world
Location of residency: United States

MEDIAN GRANT AMOUNT
$5,000 and $1,232,250 total giving

FUNDER BASED IN
PO BOX 219, RUMSON, NJ 07760
The Trust Board of Trustees meets four times a year in January, April, July and October to consider grant requests. An eligible request that arrives too late for one meeting will be placed on the agenda of the following meeting. Proposals must be received on the following dates to be included in the agendas noted:

December 1 - January agenda
March 1 - April agenda
June 1 - July agenda
September 1 - October agenda

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

Mike continued his mother’s legacy of activism and was politically engaged both nationally and internationally. The Cowles family was passionate about civil rights and race relations in 20th century America, as demonstrated not only through their philanthropy but also via their trade. In a 1955 speech detailing what makes a great editor, Mike said:

Mike Cowles left to his family a philanthropic legacy that continues to this day. The majority of the Cowles Charitable Trust’s current trustees are Mike’s direct descendants. 

Eligibility:
There are no limitations of who The Trust can give to as long as the charitable organization is recognized as such by the IRS 501c(3).
The Trust recognizes the difficulty in raising support for general operating costs and welcomes applications seeking GOS funding.

Preferences:
The Trust favors applicants who have developed a wide base of support for their programing. 
We prefer not to be the only funder.

Ineligibility:
The Trust will not consider applications from any institution or organization any more frequently than once every 12 months, whether the result of the previous application was positive or negative.
The Trust will not consider applications from any institution or organization receiving a multiyear grant until all payments of that grant have been made.

Here is the link to apply: https://cowlescharitabletrust.org/take-action
 

Impact Fund invites applications to advance social justice
Next Deadline: July 16, 2024 (Letters of Interest)

The Impact Fund provides grants to advance social justice in the United States.

Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to nonprofit legal service providers, private attorneys, and/or small law firms seeking to advance justice in civil rights, human rights, anti-poverty, and environmental justice cases that impact marginalized groups. Most grants are for class actions, but the fund also funds multi-plaintiff and environmental justice cases that aim to significantly affect a larger system or lead to significant law reform.

Impact Fund grants may be used for out-of-pocket litigation expenses such as expert fees and discovery costs but may not be used for attorney's fees, staff, or other overhead.

Letters of interest must be received no later than January 9, 2023, and selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application due February 6, 2024.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Impact Fund website. Here is the link to apply: https://www.impactfund.org/legal-grants/application-requirements

​The Venable Foundation, Inc.

Venable LLP

The Foundation provides funding for place-based organizations and initiatives, meaning that organizations must be based in or impacting regions where Venable has major offices. These are the metropolitan areas in and around Baltimore, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Washington, DC.

The Foundation makes grants to charitable organizations that are exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Foundation does not fund projects that promote or proselytize on behalf of any religion.

The Foundation does not fund organizations that discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any veteran’s status. Furthermore, the Foundation does not support medical research or funding to individual schools or parent/teacher associations, and will not provide sponsorship support for special events, galas, or other fundraisers.

The Venable Foundation accepts applications three times per year. 
February 1
June 1
September 1

Decisions are announced approximately three months after each deadline. Nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply once per calendar year.Funding Priorities

The Venable Foundation envisions that its philanthropic investments provide essential resources to nonprofit organizations in communities across the country. Guided by the belief that everyone has the right to equitable employment opportunities, healthcare, housing, food, and a vibrant cultural community, Venable grantees ensure that economically disadvantaged people are given the tools they need to thrive.

Grant support is provided to assist with general operations and projects. Currently, the Venable Foundation’s funding priorities include:
Human Services
Legal Services
Education
Workforce Development
Youth Impact
Health
Environment
Arts and Culture

You can learn more about each of these funding priorities below:
Human Services – The Foundation has a strong track record of supporting a breadth of essential human services, including programs that impact people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, incarcerated and returning citizens, LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, and those affected by domestic violence and housing insecurity.

Legal Services – We support the delivery of free or affordable legal services in our communities. Pro bono consulting and representation focus on a variety of issues, including domestic violence, housing, immigration, public benefits, and discrimination, among other areas. Legal service nonprofits providing “know your rights” training and other activities are also supported. The Foundation also supports training for youth and adults to ensure diversity and access to careers in the legal profession.

Contact: Michael W. BigleyDirector, Venable Foundation  
MWBigley@Venable.com

Here is the link to apply: https://venable.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp

Bob Barker Foundation invites LOIs from organizations working to reduce recidivism
Deadline: Rolling (Letters of Intent)

The Bob Barker Foundation was established in May 2009 to develop and support programs that help incarcerated individuals successfully reenter society and stay out for life.

To that end, the foundation invites applications from organizations working to reduce recidivism using evidence-based or best practices methods. Organizations must work with a minimum of 100 incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals annually. The foundation generally offers grants of up to $25,000. 

Letters of intent are accepted on a rolling basis, and upon review, selected applicants are invited to submit a full grant application.

To be eligible, applicants must be tax-exempt as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a governmental, educational, or research institution with tax-exempt status. 

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Bob Barker Foundation website. Here is the link to apply: https://www.bobbarkerfoundation.org/eligibility-grant-process​

​Roddenberry Fellowship
Roddenberry Foundation

Next predicted deadline: May 7 5:00pm PDT (Pre proposal)
Later predicted deadlines: July 23 5:00pm PDT (Full proposal)
Grant amount: US $50,000 
Fields of work: Climate Change Resilience Environmental Justice & Advocacy Immigration & Refugee Rights Civil Rights Sexuality & LGBTQ Rights Women's Rights & Equality Show all
Applicant type: Nonprofit, Working Professional
Funding uses: Training / Capacity Building, Fellowship

Action, A Way Forward
Launched in 2016, the Roddenberry Fellowship is a U.S.-based fellowship awarded to extraordinary leaders and advocates who use new and innovative strategies to safeguard human rights and ensure an equal and just society for all.

The Roddenberry Fellowship is a 12-month program that offers Fellows $50,000 to take an existing initiative (e.g. campaign, organization) to the next level and amplify its impact OR to launch a new initiative.

A New Reality
COVID-19 has and will continue to severely exacerbate existing and long-standing social inequities in marginalized and underserved communities. Individuals and families already experiencing housing instability, unemployment, limited health care access, and food insecurity will undoubtedly feel the pain more than others. For these communities, COVID-19 will amplify and compound economic, health, and racial inequities and reveal in stark and terrible terms the consequences of the historic disparities in which we live.

This year, in addition to seeking to support efforts that will mitigate and alleviate the new realities for these communities, we are also introducing a new issue area – Health + Wellness – to identify solutions that address health inequities in underserved communities, such as access to basic care, affordable treatment, and mental health services.

Issue Areas
Up to 20 applicants working in one of five issue areas will be selected as 2022 Fellows:

Civil Rights
Fellows will work toward equity for all, including in our public schools, criminal justice system, and places of work.

Environmental Protection
Fellows will work to mitigate the human impact on our natural resources, neighborhoods, and communities.

Immigration & Refugee Rights
Fellows will work to ensure the rights of all newcomers to the US regardless of where they come from or why.

LGBTQIA & Women’s Rights
Fellows will work to secure rights and opportunities for everyone, irrespective of gender or sexual orientation.

Health & Wellness
Fellows will work to overcome the barriers that prevent underserved communities from accessing the healthcare they need and deserve.

The Roddenberry Foundation welcomes Fellowship applications from individuals who meet all of the following:

United States citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, individuals with a valid grant of employment authorization or immigration status, or current visa holders who reside in the 50 United States or its territories.
Individuals who are the principal of their initiatives or organizations, including Founder, Co-Founder, President, CEO, or Executive Director.
Individuals who are 18 years of age or older.
Individuals employed by or affiliated with organizations or institutions with a budget of $2M or less.
Individuals whose primary focus of their work is: immigrant and refugee rights, civil rights, LGBTQIA+ and women’s rights, environmental protection, or health and wellness.

Here is the link to apply: https://roddenberryfoundation.org/our-work/roddenberry-fellowship/​

Borealis Philanthropy Communities Transforming Policing Fund Welcomes LOIs
Deadline: Rolling (Letters of Inquiry)

The Borealis Philanthropy Communities Transforming Policing Fund welcomes Letters of Inquiry.

CTPF is a donor collaborative that provides resources to organizations in local communities impacted by deadly and discriminatory policing practices working to build power, increase police accountability and transparency, and redefine safety by advocating for investment in community-based programs and services as alternatives to police, jails, and prisons.

To that end, CTPF provides one-year general operating support grants to ranging between $15,000 and $30,000. (Amounts will be determined based on the nature of the request and available resources.) In addition to financial support, all grantees will have access to ongoing capacity-building opportunities, including regular learning webinars dedicated to key issues related to their work, opportunities for peer sharing with other grantees, and weekly newsletters that compile field-related news, updates, resources, and funding opportunities.

Applicants must work authentically within communities impacted by policing and incarceration; have an explicit, demonstrated commitment to racial, economic, and gender justice that is reflected in the organization’s leadership and staffing and in how it conducts its work; and demonstrate a clear power-building and leadership-development strategy that meaningfully engages directly impacted communities in defining problems, solutions, and actions.

Priority consideration will be given to Black, Indigenous, and people of color-led organizations; organizations led by individuals who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system; ongoing campaigns in jurisdictions with particularly timely opportunities for change; and groups who do not receive significant support from national foundations.

To be eligible, applicants must be tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization.

Letters of inquiry will be accepted on a rolling basis. Within two to four weeks of submission, the fund will respond to applicants to inform them whether they are able to move on to the proposal stage.

See the Borealis Philanthropy website for complete program guidelines and application instructions. Here is the link to apply: https://borealisphilanthropy.org/ctpf2021loi/

Ford Foundation launches $50 million global fellowship program

The Ford Foundation has announced the launch of a ten-year, $50 million initiative aimed at identifying and developing the next generation of social justice leaders working to advance solutions to inequality.

The inaugural cohort of twenty-four Ford Global Fellowsincludes social change leaders from Brazil, the United States, East Africa, and the Middle East and North Africa with a range of approaches to the challenge of ending inequality, from restoring voting rights for formerly incarcerated people, to advancing LGBTQ+ rights, to boosting the political and economic power of people with disabilities. Many of the fellows are members of communities directly impacted by inequality and will be drawing on their lived experience.

This week, participants in the initiative will kick off the program, which was developed in partnership with the Institute of International Education, by attending a multi-day virtual training convening. In addition to a $25,000 stipend, each fellow will benefit from an individualized learning program and be expected to participate in additional convenings, either virtually or in person, over the next eighteen months.

"The Ford Global Fellowship builds on the Ford Foundation's long-standing commitment to investing in the ideas, individuals, and institutions that drive meaningful, systemic change," said Hilary Pennington, the foundation's executive vice president of programs. "We are proud to introduce our inaugural cohort of Ford Global Fellows, which includes some of the world's most innovative and promising social change leaders committed to tackling inequality — the defining challenge of our time, now more than ever. We cannot go back to the old normal that existed before the pandemic, and this program is an investment in reimagining solutions to global challenges that respect no borders. By connecting fellows to each other and to the broader Ford network, we hope to create a catalytic effect that accelerates the impact of their individual and collective work, to address challenges during the pandemic and beyond."

For a complete list of the inaugural class of Ford Global Fellows, see the Ford Foundation website. Here is the link: https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/investing-in-individuals/the-ford-global-fellowship/​

Social Justice Grants Initiative
Dominion Energy

Maryland and Virginia

Rolling Deadlines

The Social Justice Grants Initiative is intended to address the fundamental causes of systemic racism (ex. racial injustice, health disparities, voter suppression, educational access, environmental injustice and/or law and criminal justice reform) that impact Black/African Americans across our footprint. 

Dominion Energy shares the anger of our communities at the unjustified deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. Our communities are grieving. Words can evoke empathy, compassion and understanding, but we believe ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER®.

We are committing $5 million to support the need for broad-based community reconciliation, rebuilding and healing across the states where Dominion Energy operates. Of that amount, the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation will make grants totaling $4 million to support non-profit organizations advocating for social justice and equality. Under a separate program, the We Care Rebuild Project, we will commit the remaining $1 million to help minority-owned and small businesses recover from recent disruptions.

The Social Justice Grants Initiative is intended to address the fundamental causes of systemic racism. Grants will support projects or programs that:
- Advance social justice
- Promote equity of opportunity
- Foster diversity and inclusiveness

Grant Opportunities:
Leadership Grants (by invitation only)
Send us an email (approximately one paragraph) about your organization and potential leadership grant.

Leadership grants are awarded to national or regional organizations that, over a sustained period, have a demonstrable history of accomplishment advancing the cause of social justice, equity and inclusion.
The most competitive requests will demonstrate a proven track record of positive systemic impact at scale within the states where Dominion Energy operates.
Range in size is up to $500,000, with the potential for one or more individual awards of up to $1 million.
Payment on grant commitments may be made over multiple years, depending on size of the award and scope of the funded program.

Community Grants will be awarded to support community-based programs that address a compelling localized need or opportunity with the potential for out-sized impact.

Grants range in size from $5,000 to $25,000.
Payment on grant commitments may be made over multiple years, depending on size of the award and scope of the funded program.

Eligibility ;
Applicants must be registered as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Work supported by these two grant initiatives (Leadership Grants & Community Grants) must benefit communities served by Dominion Energy in the states where the company operates.
The project/program should address a significant inequity and identify specific actions to level the playing field for Black/African Americans.
The project/program should address and deeply disrupt the status quo of a deep-seeded problem area.
The project/program has the potential to generate positive systemic change and growth within its targeted geographic area.
The project/program has the potential to shift culture, mindsets and behaviors for those it will serve and their respective communities.
The project/program may have the potential to teach business and/or entrepreneurship fundamentals, create or retain job opportunity and/or provide upward mobility for participants and enhance Black/African American workforce talent, if applicable.
Express quantitatively and/or qualitatively how this initiative will support diversity, inclusion and equity in your community.

Requests for funding under both the Leadership and Community Grant categories of the Social Justice Grants Initiative will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested non-profit organizations may submit funding requests at the following link: https://www.dominionenergy.com/our-company/customers-and-community/charitable-foundation/social-justice-grants
 

Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation Grant
Blaustein Philanthropic Group
Deadline: Rolling

Grant amount: US $5,000 - US $300,000 
Fields of work: Immigration & Refugee Rights Immigrant Services Refugee Services Criminal Justice System Reform Climate Change Resilience Environmental Justice & Advocacy Show all
Applicant type: Nonprofit

Funding uses: General Operating Expense, Project / Program, Education / Outreach

Location of project: District of Columbia, Counties in Maryland: Baltimore County, Baltimore city, Counties in New York: Bronx County, Kings County Show all

MEDIAN GRANT AMOUNT
$35,000 and $8,253,675 total giving

FUNDER BASED IN
1 SOUTH ST STE 2900, BALTIMORE, MD 21202-3334

Overview:
The Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation is guided by the principle that people develop and flourish best when they enjoy fundamental civil and political rights and live in a safe and healthy environment. In recognition of the ongoing impact of institutionalized racism in the US, the rising threats of xenophobia worldwide and the devastating effects of climate change, particularly on people of color and low-income communities, the Foundation supports efforts to confront racism, protect against prejudicial treatment towards immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and mitigate climate change and its impact on vulnerable communities.

Climate Justice:
Recognizing the urgency of global warming and the disproportionate impact that it has on life in low-income communities and communities of color, the Foundation supports efforts to create sustainable and fair solutions to mitigate climate change. Funding is provided for:

Building broad based, bipartisan alliances pushing for robust and equitable energy and climate policies at the federal, state and local levels
Grass roots organizing and advocacy led by communities most affected by climate change

Racial Justice:
To expose and challenge institutionalized racism and to ensure equal and fair treatment for all, the Foundation supports:

Strategic advocacy and policy reform efforts to end racial inequities in the justice system
Programs focused on changing the culture of punishment and criminalization of youth in schools, practices which disproportionately affect students of color

Immigrant Justice:
To protect the rights of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the U.S. the Foundation provides grants for:

Immigrant-led organizing and advocacy for just immigration policies
Immigrant legal services and impact litigation to ensure critical legal and social protections for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers
Holistic support networks for refugees and asylum seekers fleeing violence

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website at https://blaufund.org/morton-k-and-jane-blaustein-foundation/

Eligibility:
Grantees must be nonprofit organizations with tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and organized and operated for charitable purposes.

Organizations with fiscal sponsors are also eligible to apply.

The foundations make a limited number of capital grants, generally only when there is a prior relationship with the applicant organization.
The foundation will consider proposals for general support, as long as the work of the applicant organization fits with the program priorities and geographic focus of the particular foundation.
The Foundation's geographic focus is mainly Baltimore, New York and the DC Capital Region.

Ineligibility:
The foundations do not provide support for:

Grants or scholarships to individuals; 
Unsolicited proposals for academic, scientific or medical research; 
Direct mail, annual giving, membership campaigns, special events; or
fundraising events.​

Omidyar Network Welcomes Applications to Economic Response Advocacy Fund

Rolling Deadlines

As the coronavirus pandemic upends the economy, it is critical that government respond with action to support the stability and well-being of American families, particularly those already struggling economically and vulnerable to the consequences of an economic recession.

To inform this conversation, Omidyar Network’s COVID-19 Economic Response Advocacy Fund will infuse 501(c)(4) funding into national, state, and local advocacy and organizing efforts aimed at passing economic stimulus to address the immediate toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on working people while reshaping economic structures to ensure they are less vulnerable in the future.

Between now and the end of the year, Omidyar Network plans to award $1.5 million to groups working to realign the nation’s economic policies and systems so that they work better for everyone.

The fund is not intended to support entirely new efforts; instead, funds will be awarded to campaigns that are already in motion and can leverage 501(c)(4) dollars to capture the attention of policy makers. Omidyar Network will continue to review applications and award 501(c)(4) funding to support advocacy response work on a rolling basis through the rest of the year, with a focus on direct advocacy efforts aimed at achieving policy or regulatory solutions at the national, state, or local level that protect and assist working people and small businesses now and establish new precedents that improve worker power and well-being in the future; digital organizing that reconfigures campaigns that can no longer be carried out in person due to the virus; and/or strategic communications, coordination, and narrative development efforts that bring like-minded organizations together to create a more unified voice calling for policy and regulatory changes at the national, state, or local level that result in a stronger economy.

Through this open call for proposals, ON hopes to reach grassroots groups that are underresourced and hit  hardest by fundraising constraints stemming from the current crisis. The rolling application process will get some funds to campaigns immediately while ensuring there are additional resources in reserve to maintain momentum throughout the year.

For additional information and/or to access the application form (passcode: “advocacy”), visit the Omidyar Network website. Here is the link: https://www.omidyar.com/spotlight/omidyar-network’s-covid-19-economic-response-advocacy-fund-aims-help-working-families-now​

​Knight Foundation Accepting Applications for 'Governance, Norms and Values – Research on the Future Internet'

Rolling deadlines

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation seeks to support fundamental research that addresses issues of rules, norms and governance of the internet and digital platforms. Recent research, policy debates and public controversies have highlighted the absence of uniform consensus on the norms, rights and responsibilities that should govern digital services, in particular social media. We wish to fund scholarly inquiry and novel approaches that will strengthen our democracy as the digital age progresses.

Please see below for additional detail on the opportunity and application instructions.

BACKGROUND
In recent years, significant questions have surfaced about the basic norms and values undergirding the regulation of the internet, with a focus on social media. The convergence of these questions has drawn attention to less-developed issues in law and research that demand further scrutiny from a range of perspectives. Some of these issues include: harms associated with online content, censorship, free speech, data ownership, antitrust and competition, private rights of action and effective regulatory approaches when confronted with quickly-evolving technologies.
Long one of the largest independent funders of journalism, Knight Foundation has begun to explore these issues through a range of grant-making aimed at the sea change in how our society is informed in the digital age.*

OPPORTUNITY
We seek to support efforts that advance research – both theoretical and empirical – on topics related to governance and the rights and responsibilities of individuals, commercial interests, non-governmental organizations and government in the digital era. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Content: the rights and responsibilities of users of services, as well as the rights and responsibilities of social media companies and digital service providers, with regard to content. This includes issues of content moderation, content liability, algorithmic content generation and optimization, as well as actual or potential harms and benefits associated with digital/platform services.
Market: how to understand the digital services and social media marketplaces, including theories of competition, empirical work on the nature of these markets, and issues of market concentration and power.
Regulation: regulatory response – in terms of self-regulation, consumer behavior and government regulation – including new regulatory theories and specific regulatory proposals. Our interest comprises laws and rules, jurisdictional questions, regulatory infrastructures—within government, specific commercial concerns and civil society (consumers and non-governmental actors), and regulatory enforcement.

TYPES OF ACTIVITIES FUNDED
We will consider proposals to support:
Research and Pedagogy
Course relief to enable faculty research
Publication development, such as special journal issues or volumes
Collaborative efforts of researchers from multiple institutions
Research assistant(s)
Symposia, workshops or other convenings
Legal clinics or other innovative pedagogy that engages students in these topics
Data acquisition

Faculty
New full-time faculty or researchers
Visiting professorships

Fellowships
Post-doctoral fellows
Visiting fellows (for non-faculty or mid-career scholars from industry/government)

HOW TO APPLY
We invite letters of interest of no more than three pages that address the following, as applicable:
What is your research objective?
Why is it significant in understanding the future of internet governance?
What activities do you seek to have funded?
Budget (if multiyear, include a complete budget by year)
Short bios of the principal investigator(s), with emphasis on previous ad rem research

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. This call will remain open until otherwise indicated. Please monitor kf.org/internetrfp for updates.
Please send all questions and letters of interest to John Sands at sands@kf.org.

ABOUT KNIGHT FOUNDATION
Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.​

​Nathan Cummings Foundation Grant
Rolling Deadlines
Grant amount: Up to US $1,200,000 
Fields of work: Sustainability Social Justice / Human Rights Climate Change Resilience Government Accountability & Transparency
Applicant type: Nonprofit
Funding uses: Education / Outreach, General Operating Expense, Project / Program

NOTE: NCF accepts letters of inquiry year-round, and conducts three rounds of grantmaking each year. There are no deadlines for Letters of Inquiry — LOIs are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed by NCF staff within 60 days.

The Nathan Cummings Foundation is a multigenerational family foundation, rooted in the Jewish tradition of social justice, working to create a more just, vibrant, sustainable, and democratic society. We partner with social movements, organizations and individuals who have creative and catalytic solutions to climate change and inequality.

Our Focus:
Pursuing Justice. For People + Planet. The Nathan Cummings Foundation is a multigenerational family foundation, rooted in the Jewish tradition of social justice, working to create a more just, vibrant, sustainable and democratic society through our grantmaking in the United States and Israel.

We focus on finding solutions to the two most challenging problems of our time – the climate crisis and growing inequality – and aim to transform the systems and mindsets that hinder progress toward a more sustainable and equitable future for all people, particularly women and people of color.

Climate Change:
From the Paris climate agreement to Puerto Rico, the world has declared the climate crisis one of the greatest challenges in our history. It will take all of our ingenuity and resolve to build an inclusive clean economy that lifts people out of poverty and moves everyone, especially those on the front lines, out of the devastating path we now face. We will address the climate crisis from an equity perspective and hold accountable the entrenched interests that have left our nation’s infrastructure and communities vulnerable and have stalled the energy and economic transformation we need. We’ll invest in solutions at the local, state and national level and join forces with diverse, enlightened leaders to chart a new course for a sustainable future.

Inequality:
Millions of Americans face overwhelming obstacles shaped by social hierarchies of race, ethnicity, gender, income, education level or zip code, which restrict their opportunities. In order to address inequality, we will invest in work that reduces implicit bias and discrimination in our public policy, systems and markets. We are particularly concerned about the effects of criminal justice policies and practices on the economic security of hard-working families. With our partners, we seek new and effective pathways to improve quality of life for people and level the playing fields of opportunity. We challenge ideas, policies, practices and systems that perpetuate racial and ethnic stereotypes, criminalize people in poverty, and make it possible for a few to hold a vastly disproportionate share of the nation’s income, wealth and assets.

Our Approach:
From our voice, to our grants and our investments, we are using all of our resources to achieve our mission. We are in the business of changemaking, not just grantmaking.

Investing in Bold Leaders:
Our grantees and Fellows are courageous leaders willing to work in new ways, forge unusual and powerful alliances, and push breakthrough ideas that make the ‘impossible’ possible.

Using All of Our Assets:
We are committed to leveraging 100% of our assets toward our mission through impact investing and active ownership strategies.

The Foundation’s four focus areas together form an integrated framework to advance a healthy planet and democracy.

Racial + Economic Justice:
We work to reverse generations of concentrated wealth and racialized power and patriarchy to get to the root causes of inequality and inequity. To advance racial and economic justice, we stand with groups like Color of Change, who speak out for and with those who are marginalized and criminalized. We’re building power, income and wealth for working people through our partnership with organizations like the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Workers Defense Project.

Inclusive Clean Economy:
We support a just transition to an inclusive clean economy where prosperity and a healthy environment go hand in hand. Partners like the Climate Justice Alliance, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Jobs to Move America and the NAACP Environment and Climate Justice Program are advocating for solutions that bring the environmental and economic benefits of addressing climate disruption and energy use to frontline communities first, not last.

Corporate + Political Accountability:
We activate investors and businesses as allies, advocates and leaders on climate and social justice and work to decrease concentrated corporate power and limit corporate influence in our political system. We support partners like Ceres, Open MIC and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, and use our standing as an investor to strengthen corporate and political accountability.

Voice, Creativity + Culture:
We aim to shift dominant narratives about race, class, gender and ethnicity and build radical solidarity and empathy through voice, creativity and culture. We support art, media, and cultural criticism that challenge injustice like Firelight Media and the Critical Minded Initiative. We invest in visionaries like the Poor People’s Campaign and Bend the Arc who use faith, spiritual, and cultural practices to seed social transformation and spiritually rooted movements for change.

You can learn more about these opportunities by visiting the funder's website at https://nathancummings.org/apply-for-a-grant/

Eligibility:
Your organization (or your fiscal sponsor) must have a 501(c)(3) or 7871 (Indian Tribal Governments) U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax-exempt status?
The work you are requesting funding for must take place within the United States.
Your organization’s policies and practices must provide equal opportunity to all persons, regardless of race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, familial status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law.