Mission Telecom Strategic Grantmaking (Invitation-Only)

Mission Telecom Strategic Grantmaking

Mission Telecom's primary grantmaking program providing flexible, risk-tolerant funding to grassroots movements working on systemic change. Both portfolio and opportunistic grants are offered.

Geographic Scope: National (U.S. focus)

Pillar 1: Multiracial Democracy & Power Building

Core support for work that builds power for the New American Majority, ensuring equitable representation in the electoral process.

• Expanding the electorate to include Native, Black, AAPI, Arab-American, Latino, disabled and/or LGBTQ voters
• Reflective democracy: increasing representation of elected leaders
• Building grassroots organizing power (on or offline)
• Voter mobilization through advocacy and candidate campaigns
• Redistricting
• State and local campaigns, nomination contests, and ballot initiatives
• Judicial advocacy and elections
• Co-governance models and accountability campaigns
• Thought leadership and content creation/narrative work

Pillar 2: Movement Infrastructure & Innovation

Innovation and tools in direct service of racial and economic justice.

• Experimentation and model building
• Data and technology infrastructure
• Original research
• Communications and narrative
• Training, development, and support of movement organizations and operatives

Pillar 3: Telecom Justice

Work that leverages telecom access and power towards equity for all communities.

• Policy and advocacy for equitable access to affordable and quality broadband
• Promoting affordable broadband access and combating the digital divide
• Increasing connectivity for low-income, people of color, and indigenous communities
• Restoring Affordable Connectivity Program and resourcing of the Universal Service Fund
• BEAD implementation
• Thought leadership

Eligibility:

• Organizations focused on advancing multiracial democracy, strengthening movement infrastructure through innovation, or promoting telecom justice
• Currently by invitation only
• Organizations can complete interest form to be considered for future funding

What They Fund:

• Flexible funding in the form of general operating support
• Strategic use of flexible 501c4 and Political Campaign Activity (PCA) funding to support advocacy, organizing, and policy towards progressive social change
• Long-term commitment and multi-year support, where possible
• Leadership reflective of community and stakeholders
• Transformative and systemic change work
• Innovation and experimentation where traditional approaches have failed
• Root cause solutions

What They DO NOT Fund:

• Direct service
• Most single-issue organizing
• 501c3 civic engagement work

Grantmaking Values:

• Flexible funding through general operating support
• Lightweight applications and reporting mechanisms
• Long-term, multi-year support
• Strategic leadership from grassroots leaders and communities
• Unapologetically bold, political, and risk-taking approach
• Agile and responsive to evolving needs
• Personal and organizational humility

Portfolio Selection Process:

• Takes place at the end of each calendar year
• Limited opportunistic grants throughout the year for rapid response needs
• All grants are by invitation only

Contact Information:

• Email: grants@missiontelecom.org
• Address: Mission Telecom, 8310 S Valley Hwy Ste 300, Englewood, CO 80112

Organizational Status:

• Mission Telecom is organized and operated as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code

Application Process

Current Status: By invitation only; however, an Interest Form is available for prospective organizations.

To Apply:

1. Complete the Interest Form at: https://missiontelecom.org/giving/interest-form/
   • This keeps your organization on an ongoing list of prospective grantees
   • Does not guarantee funding but demonstrates alignment with strategic pillars
2. Form Fields:
   • First Name
   • Last Name
   • Organization Name
   • Title
   • Email
   • Which pillar(s) does your organization align with?
   • Multiracial Democracy & Power Building
   • Movement Infrastructure & Innovation
   • Telecom Justice
   • Brief Description of Your Work (2,000 character limit)
   • Must include how work fits at least one of the three pillars
   • Organization Website
   • Organization Status:
   • 501c3
   • 501c4
   • Other (Please Specify)
   • Check all that apply for other status
   • Do you have a specific rapid response/time-sensitive funding request? (If so, please describe)
   • CAPTCHA verification
3. Selection Criteria:
   • Alignment with at least one strategic pillar
   • Proven impact record
   • Clear articulation of impact
   • Leadership reflective of community and stakeholders
   • Spirit of innovation and experimentation
   • Addresses root causes and creates systemic change
   • Makes strategic use of 501c4 dollars
   • Centers racial, social, and economic justice
4. Timeline:
   • Portfolio grants: Selected at end of calendar year
   • Opportunistic grants: Made throughout the year for rapid response needs
   • After interest form submission, organization will be contacted by Mission Telecom staff
5. Reporting:
   • Lightweight reporting mechanisms that do not unnecessarily burden groups