Nelson Foundation: Core Grant Program

The Nelson Foundation's Core Grant Program offers multi-year, general operating support to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Philadelphia Region, focusing on racial equity and social justice. Grants amount to $60,000 over three years, aimed at eradicating racial inequity and social injustice. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to equity, serve young people and their families, and have total annual expenses under $2.5 million. Applications are accepted from nonprofits with 501(c)3 status.

NOTE:
Letter of Inquiry - LOIs may be submitted any time between January 1-March 1. Staff will review and evaluate each LOI by March 15 to determine whether an organization will be invited to complete a full application.Full Proposal - Invite Only
In 2021, The Nelson Foundation developed and committed to a new strategic direction centered on racial equity and social justice. As a result, the Foundation has overhauled its grantmaking practices and processes to be more equitable and to reduce the burden on applicants. The new core grant program launched January 1, 2023 and is detailed below.
The core grant program provides multi-year, general operating support to organizations serving young people and their families and communities in the Greater Philadelphia Region in an effort to eradicate racial inequity and social injustice. Core grants are awarded as three-year grants with a grant size of $60,000 ($20,000 paid annually).

Eligibility

The Nelson Foundation’s Core Grant Program will consider general operating requests from nonprofit organizations that:work to ensure that young people in Greater Philadelphia, experience their futures in healthy, thriving, and prosperous communities.
work to eliminate racial and social inequities through direct service or advocacy/systems change work focusing on eliminating systemic inequities to young people, their families, and communities
demonstrate a commitment to equity in internal and external operations.
have total annual expenses of less than $2.5 million
focus primarily on serving young people, their families, and communities suffering from the effects of systemic racism, inequity, and injustice. The majority of services should be provided in Greater Philadelphia (including Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties).
have an independent 501(c)3 tax status. We also accept applications from organizations with a fiscal sponsor or local affiliates of national umbrella organizations. For local affiliates, there must be local staff and a local board/advisory board in place.
do not provide programming that is solely “drop-in,” infrequent, or less than four weeks in duration.

Ineligibility

Applications will not be accepted from hospitals or medical facilities, schools (private, public, or charter), colleges/universities, or daycare facilities. The Foundation will not support individuals, scholarship programs, fundraising events, medical expenses, or religious activities.