Encouraging Citizen Involvement Grant

The Herb Block Foundation offers the Encouraging Citizen Involvement Grant to promote civic engagement and voter participation in a nonpartisan manner. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 are available for nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3). This initiative aims to strengthen democracy by fostering responsible citizen involvement without supporting partisan activities or lobbying efforts.

The Foundation
When Herb Block died in October 2001, he left $50 million with instructions to create a foundation to encourage the art of editorial cartooning and to support charitable and educational programs that help promote and support the causes he championed during his 72 years of cartooning. The Foundation is committed to defending basic freedoms, combating all forms of discrimination and prejudice and improving the condition of the poor and underprivileged
The Herb Block Foundation seeks to help ensure a responsible, responsive democratic government through citizen involvement. Proposals may focus on citizen education and greater voter participation in the electoral process. All projects must be nonpartisan and may not involve lobbying for specific legislation or candidates.
Grants in the range of $5,000 to $25,000 will be considered. Grants will be considered for one year's funding.

Eligibility

Applicants must be nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3) organizations by the Internal Revenue Service.
Applicants for the Encouraging Citizen Involvement Program areas may be national.

Ineligibility

Grants will not be made for capital or endowment programs, nor for sectarian religious purposes.
No more than 10% of a grant may go to indirect costs (outside of those for general operating support).
Grants cannot be used for lobbying or other partisan purposes.