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CAAP’s Community Impact Grant Program (United States)

Deadline: 13-Mar-2026

The CAAP Community Impact Grant Program provides unrestricted grants of $1,000 to $10,000 to nonprofit organizations across the United States.

The program supports organizations in Arts, Culture & Media and Human Services, Education & Advocacy that reflect or center the Arab American lived experience. Funding requests must not exceed 15% of the organization’s operating budget.

The Community Impact Grant Program is administered by CAAP (Center for Arab American Philanthropy).

It offers flexible, unrestricted funding to strengthen nonprofit sustainability, programming, and long-term impact.

Unlike project-restricted grants, this funding can be used according to an organization’s most pressing needs.

Since its launch in 2010, the program has distributed more than $1.2 million to nonprofits nationwide.

Funding Overview

Grant Amount

  • Minimum: $1,000

  • Maximum: $10,000

  • Funding type: Unrestricted (general operating support)

Funding Limit Rule

Organizations may request up to 15% of their most recent fiscal year operating budget, capped at $10,000.

Example:
If your annual budget is $50,000, the maximum request is $7,500 (15%).
If your annual budget is $150,000, the maximum request remains $10,000 due to the cap.

Award sizes depend on:

  • Organizational scale

  • Budget size

  • Overall applicant pool

Focus Areas

Applicants must align with at least one of the following:

1. Arts, Culture & Media

Includes organizations that:

  • Promote creative expression

  • Preserve cultural heritage

  • Produce media reflecting Arab American narratives

  • Advance cultural visibility and storytelling

2. Human Services, Education & Advocacy

Includes organizations that:

  • Provide direct community services

  • Deliver educational programs

  • Promote social justice

  • Advocate for equity and rights

Organizations must reflect or center the Arab American lived experience in their mission or programming.

What Does “Unrestricted Funding” Mean?

Unrestricted funding allows nonprofits to use the grant for:

  • Staff salaries

  • Operational costs

  • Rent and utilities

  • Program expansion

  • Strategic planning

  • Capacity building

  • Emergency or sustainability needs

This flexibility strengthens overall organizational resilience.

Who Is Eligible?

Organizations must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status OR work with a qualified fiscal sponsor

  • Operate within the United States

  • Align clearly with one of the program focus areas

  • Center or reflect Arab American communities

Who Is Not Eligible?

The program does not fund:

  • Individuals

  • Religious organizations

  • Political groups

  • International organizations

  • Prior grantees with incomplete reporting obligations

Incomplete reporting automatically disqualifies applicants.

How Applications Are Reviewed

Applications are evaluated based on:

  1. Alignment with program focus areas

  2. Demonstrated community impact

  3. Organizational readiness

  4. Budget clarity and realism

  5. Authentic representation of achievements and challenges

Reviewers consider the most recent fiscal year operating budget as part of the assessment.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

  • Verify 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship

  • Ensure operations are based in the U.S.

  • Confirm mission alignment with Arab American communities

Step 2: Review Your Operating Budget

  • Identify your most recent fiscal year budget

  • Calculate 15% of the total

  • Ensure your funding request does not exceed that amount or $10,000

Step 3: Define Organizational Needs

Because funding is unrestricted, clearly explain:

  • Current challenges

  • Strategic priorities

  • How flexible funding will strengthen sustainability

Step 4: Share Authentic Impact

Provide:

  • Evidence of community engagement

  • Achievements and milestones

  • Honest discussion of barriers or growth areas

Step 5: Submit a Complete Application

Ensure financial documentation is accurate and aligned with your request.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Requesting more than 15% of your operating budget

  • Failing to demonstrate alignment with Arab American communities

  • Submitting incomplete financial data

  • Overstating impact without evidence

  • Ignoring reporting requirements from prior grants

Why This Grant Matters

The CAAP Community Impact Grant Program:

  • Strengthens Arab American–centered nonprofits

  • Promotes cultural visibility and representation

  • Builds long-term sustainability

  • Supports community-led advocacy and services

  • Provides flexible capital where it is most needed

General operating support is often harder to secure than project-based funding. This program fills that critical gap.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much funding can we request?

You may request between $1,000 and $10,000, not exceeding 15% of your most recent fiscal year operating budget.

2. Can individuals apply?

No. Only eligible nonprofit organizations may apply.

3. Is fiscal sponsorship allowed?

Yes. Organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply through a qualified fiscal sponsor.

4. Can religious organizations apply?

No. Religious and political organizations are not eligible.

5. What can the grant funds be used for?

Funds are unrestricted and may be used for operations, staffing, programming, or strategic needs.

6. Do we need to center Arab American communities?

Yes. Organizations must reflect or center the Arab American lived experience in their work.

7. What happens if we have incomplete reporting from a previous CAAP grant?

You will not be eligible until reporting requirements are fulfilled.

Conclusion

The CAAP Community Impact Grant Program provides flexible, unrestricted funding to strengthen nonprofit sustainability and community impact across the United States.

By supporting organizations that center the Arab American lived experience in arts, culture, education, advocacy, and human services, the program invests directly in community resilience, representation, and long-term growth.

Organizations that align clearly with the mission, present realistic budgets, and authentically share their impact and needs are well positioned to benefit from this funding opportunity.

For more information, visit CAAP.