Goldman Fund: Democracy & Civil Liberties Grant

The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund, established in 1992, supports charitable organizations that enhance society, focusing on democracy and civil liberties. The fund prioritizes projects that ensure equal citizen participation in the democratic process and protect civil liberties, especially those implemented nationally or across multiple states. It operates by invitation only and emphasizes flexible, informed grantmaking to qualified projects that align with its mission and values.

NOTE:
Letter of Inquiry - if your organization and project are aligned with the priorities and interests of the Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund. If you think your project is a good fit, submit a Letter of Inquiry according to the guidelines on this website. Full Proposal - Invite Only - Applicants will be invited via email to submit a Proposal if their Letter of Inquiry moves to the next stage.The Goldman Fund Board considers grant requests four times per year – typically once each quarter.
Within its grantmaking areas, the Fund strives to be responsive and flexible as well as to make informed and responsible grants to support qualified projects.
Goal: Ensure informed, active, and equal citizen participation in the democratic process and protect civil liberties from emerging threats.Geographic Area: Projects that are implemented nationally and/or in multiple states.This program area does not currently accept applications for projects that are implemented in a single city or state.Strategies:Protect voting rights and expand access to voting.
Reduce the influence of money in politics.
Strengthen policy and education efforts to prevent gun violence.
The Goldman Fund considers requests by invitation only from organizations in the following fields:

• Health & Recreation
• San Francisco Bay Area Institutions & Projects
• Special Projects & Initiatives

Eligibility

In order to be considered for a grant from the Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund, an organization must be classified as a public charity and have 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service or have a fiscal agent with 501(c)(3) status.Each organization may submit only one request per year for consideration.

Ineligibility

In keeping with the values of the Goldman Fund’s Board of Directors, grants will not be awarded to organizations that advocate for, engage in, or endorse policies or actions that are antisemitic or question the legitimacy of Israel as a secure, independent, and democratic Jewish state.The Fund rarely provides support for 100% of a project’s budget.    The Goldman Fund will not consider applications for deficit budgets, grants to individuals, academic research, events, conferences, or documentaries and films. An organization may not apply for multiple grants at the same time.