Nelson Foundation: Change Champions Grant Program

The Nelson Foundation's Change Champions Grant Program, initiated in 2024, aims to support organizations focused on advocacy and systems change to combat racial inequity and social injustice. Grants, ranging from $10,000 to $40,000, are awarded for two years and are dedicated to equitable school funding and enhancing teacher diversity. Open to 501c3 organizations in Pennsylvania, this program emphasizes impactful community work and has no budget restrictions.

The Change Champions program was launched in 2024 to support organizations working in advocacy, policy, and systems change work to eliminate racial inequity and social injustice. The focus of this grant program is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and is voted upon at least every three years. Currently, the Foundation awards all Change Champions grants to organizations working towards equitable school funding or increasing the diversity of the teacher pipeline.
This program is open to any eligible organizations and will have one grant cycle this year. Grant awards will be general operating support. Grants awarded will be two-year grants, ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 each.

Eligibility

All applicants must be 501c3 charitable or fiscally sponsored organizations based and doing work in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and that impact communities in the Greater Philadelphia region.There are no budget size restrictions for this grant programOrganizations must be working towards equitable school funding or increasing the diversity of the school teacher pipeline