Park Foundation Grants: Democracy

The Park Foundation Grants for Democracy aim to fortify democratic foundations and good governance. Grants support initiatives that promote inclusivity, sustainability, and participation for all demographics, especially underserved communities. Key priorities include combating gerrymandering, enhancing ballot access, and eliminating dark money in elections. The foundation seeks to empower a diverse range of emerging leaders to create a truly representative society, ensuring accountability and pushing for progressive reforms at all levels of government.

NOTE: Prospective applicants may want to consider submitting a Letter of Inquiry as a preliminary step before submitting a full proposal.  Letters of Inquiry (LOI) are accepted at any time. Once an LOI is submitted, please do not submit a full proposal unless contacted by a staff member. If you have recently (within the last year or two) received a grant from Park Foundation, it is not necessary to submit an LOI before submitting a renewal proposal.
We are principled, strategic and fearless in our grantmaking, collaborative with our partners, and nimble and innovative in our approach.
Our Funding Priorities
The Park Foundation funds a variety of non-profit partners, from local Tompkins County grassroots programs to initiatives with national impact.
EnvironmentCivic ParticipationMediaDemocracyCommunity NeedsSustainable IthacaAnimal WelfareSchool Food & Nutrition
The Democracy Program supports a broad array of initiatives intended to strengthen the foundations of democracy and good governance.
We support programs that promote a just, inclusive, sustainable society and advance the cause of full participation by all races, genders, and underserved populations through support of movement-led organizations.
Priorities include:

• ending partisan or racial gerrymandering
• overturning Citizens United
• expanding ballot access
• ridding elections of dark money
• holding government officials accountable for corrupt and unethical practices
• pushing reforms at local, state, and federal levels
• promoting progressive legislative agendas
• supporting a diverse field of emerging young leaders to help forge a truly inclusive and representative society

Eligibility

Eligible organizations must be classified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.Unless you have a fiscal sponsor, your organization must be recognized as a 501(c)3 or 509(a)2 under IRS guidelines. In addition, as a private foundation, we may not grant to an organization for a total of more than two-thirds of its annual budget (see "public support test" under IRS guidelines).