L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program

The L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on innovative education and health solutions for underserved populations. Eligible organizations can apply by submitting a 400-word concept paper, and selected applicants may receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The Foundation prioritizes projects that foster critical thinking and creativity, address health disparities, and encourage collaboration. There are no application deadlines, promoting year-round engagement.

NOTE: Interested organizations should email a concept paper of 400 words or less, describing their funding idea, to inquiries@thelbfoundation.org. Applications or ideas sent by regular mail or any other way, and those longer than 400 words, will not be reviewed. After submitting an idea, organizations should not submit another idea for at least six months.
Selected organizations will be asked to submit a full proposal 2-5 months after submitting the 400-word concept paper. All inquiring organizations will be notified of a funding decision, typically within 5-7 months after the initial inquiry. There are no deadlines as the Foundation uses a rolling process year-round.
The L.B. Research and Education Foundation supports US-based nonprofit organizations in the following priority areas:

• Education

The Foundation values educational approaches that foster independent and critical thinking, activate creativity, and/or offer alternatives to traditional education. We do not currently fund education programs for early childhood or K-5. We focus education grantmaking on these age groups:
Adolescents, generally grades 6-12 Post-secondary (college/university and other paths to boost engagement and achievement)Adult vocational education.
Health
The Foundation supports research-informed programming in both the physical and mental health fields.
strategically addressing health issues that are prevalent among vulnerable populations and/or address health disparity;funding relatively low-cost health/medical research as well as evaluation of health programming that tests and advances innovation; andsupporting efforts that remove the stigma of mental illness and that advance thinking and practice on how to address these issues, especially in underserved populations.
Funding Levels
First-time applicants may be funded at the range of $10,000-$35,000 for one year. The Foundation values longer-term funding relationships and will consider renewal applications one year at a time. Established grantees may be funded at larger amounts, up to $75,000.

Eligibility

The Foundation evaluates funding ideas and proposals based on these further criteria:Uses bold approaches to solving problems, seeks informed critique and measurable improvement upon established approaches, and invests in an organizational culture of ongoing learning and innovation.Has a specific research or dissemination mechanism in place for the community solution that could lead to positive changes on a regional, national, or global scale.Focuses on equitable access to programming for underserved populations. The Foundation has a specific, but not exclusive interest, in programs that engage and serve women and girls.Supports those who value collaboration and lift the effectiveness and impact of their peers.Bold, innovative pilot projects and ideas, which may have less evaluative track record of success, are considered at the lower end of funding ranges, with the possibility of building support over time.

Ineligibility

Grants are not provided to/for:individuals, churches, businesses, or government entities;capital campaigns such as for buildings, major equipment, or vehicles; summer camps;films, videos, books, or websites; ororganizations offering exposure to a religious faith as part of receiving a needed social service.Unsolicited requests for disaster or crisis response and recovery are not considered.In addition, organizations in North Carolina congressional district 11 are not eligible to apply.