Deadline: 15-Mar-21
The North Star Fund provides grants to organizations whose primary strategy is grassroots organizing. These grants, in the form of general operating support, are intended for both new and emerging organizations as well as established movement builders with a track record of success.
Funding Information
- Amount: $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- They Fund Organisations: North Star Fund provides grants to organizations in NYC and Hudson Valley whose missions are to advance grassroots organizing—the process of building collective power so that communities impacted by injustice can make systemic change. Grantees can articulate the root causes of the injustices, pointing to systems and policies affecting their community. These organizations see community members impacted by this injustice as essential stakeholders, from whom they recruit leaders and seek stories, ideas, campaign strategy, and organizational direction.
- They Fund both New and Established Groups: These grants are intended for both new and emerging organizations as well as established movement builders with a track record of success. New and emerging organizations are not expected to meet all of the community organizing criteria, but some priorities include:
- Mass mobilizations efforts and other activities that shift public opinion and change political conditions.
- Founders and key leaders come from the impacted community.
- New members can join and take part in leading the organization’s efforts.
- Founders and leaders can identify and articulate the root causes of injustice that they seek to address.
- They Fund Small Organizations: North Star Fund grants support small organizations which typically lack access to support from national foundations. Organizational budgets range from $0 to a maximum of $800,000.
- In addition to the criteria listed above, North Star Fund will consider applications from organizations that meet all of the following requirements.
- Annual budget that falls under $800,000. This may include:
- Organizations that have an annual budget under $800,000.
- Organizing projects of larger entities, such as direct services or legal services providers, that have an annual budget under $800,000.
- Hybrid community organizing and direct service organizations whose organizing expenses falls under $800,000.
- Building community power in at least one of the five boroughs of New York City.
- Annual budget that falls under $800,000. This may include:
Application Process
Grant applications are reviewed by local experts in grassroots community organizing. The all-volunteer Community Funding Committee assesses all proposals, meets in person with select applicants and determines grant awards. Here are the steps you will take to apply for a grant from North Star Fund:
- Review criteria and application materials. Applicants can create an account on their application system, preview questions, and begin assembling the required information. North Star Fund staff are available to answer questions.
- Attend a How to Apply Workshop (optional/encouraged for first-time applicants). This evening workshop is an opportunity to learn about available grant opportunities and how to submit an application through their online portal.
- Submit a complete application by the deadline. All applicants will receive a confirmation email.
- Applicants will be notified about site visits about one month after the application deadline. Some, but not all organizations, will be invited to meet with members of the Community Funding Committee. (NOTE: Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, North Star Fund will not request any site visits.)
- Application decisions will be announced about three months after the application deadline.
For more information, visit https://northstarfund.org/apply/nyc-organizing-grants/