JAMS Foundation / NAFCM Mini-Grant Program

The JAMS Foundation / NAFCM Mini-Grant Program offers funding to support innovative community mediation programs that foster sustainability and growth. This initiative emphasizes conflict resolution training for local leaders, enabling them to effectively address community issues. Through structured peer interactions, grantees share best practices and insights. Resources generated by the program are freely accessible to enhance the wider community mediation field, ensuring shared knowledge and enhanced practices across the nation.

Deadlines above should be submitted no later than 11:59 PM local time of the organization’s legal/main location.
Background
The JAMS Foundation / NAFCM Mini-Grant Program provides financial support for the development of innovative and effective programs that can be replicated by community mediation centers nationwide and serve as a pathway to their sustainability and growth.
Each year, the JAMS Foundation and the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) identify a specific subject area for grant funding from within the range of services offered by local and regional community mediation centers. Subject areas are determined based on current research and feedback from local and national leaders in the field that identify otherwise unresolved issues and unmet needs in the communities they serve.
Mini-grant recipients participate in working groups providing structured peer contact with other grant recipients for the duration of the grant period. Facilitated by NAFCM representatives, these working groups operate as a "learning community," providing participants with ongoing guidance and support, as well as opportunities to exchange information, explore challenges and promote best practices. Grantees are encouraged to develop programs that build on and incorporate shared lessons learned while remaining responsive to the unique needs of their own local communities.
Materials and resources developed through the Mini-Grant Program are made freely available to members of the community mediation field to ensure that insights gained through the program are shared as widely as possible.
Current Areas of Concentration
2026 Funding Track - Mediating Family Conflict During Transition Points
The 2026 Program will focus on the use of community mediation to navigate family conflict resulting from difficult transition points.

Eligibility

You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. All community-based mediation programs and organizations are eligible to apply but must be NAFCM members in order to receive grant funding.

Community-based mediation programs or organizations that are members of the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM). Proposals are submitted to NAFCM; the JAMS Foundation gives final approval. Awards are $15,000 per year for up to two years.