Small Grants Program: Program Grants - Education

Small Grants Program

Through the Small Grants Program (SGP), the Foundation supports nonprofits with a streamlined grant application and review process. Grants awarded under this program — operating, program, or capital — must still align with the Foundation’s strategic priorities in the areas of Housing, Health, Jobs, Education, or Aging. The maximum Small Grant amount is $50,000 over two years.

Education

Education can help break the cycle of poverty. Providing high-quality academic and developmental opportunities helps young people build the skills they need to succeed in school and life.

Priorities

• College and Career Pathways: The Foundation supports programs that help youth (ages 11–21) meet key milestones and develop skills and introduce them to a wide variety of academic areas and careers, equipping them to graduate high school, complete postsecondary education or training, and build a career. Projects should have a proven record of fostering academic and postsecondary success, focus on creating paths to college completion or well-paying jobs, and prioritize young people in planning and decision-making.
  • Examples of appropriate projects:
  • Science, technology, engineering, art, and math programs in or outside of school that engage students in project-based learning, build technical skills, and provide real-world work experiences that result in college credit or come with stipends.
  • College access and completion programs that help students — in partnership with their families — identify aspirations, navigate the application and admissions process, and persist through graduation.
  • Programs that enable youth who are not in school or working to reengage in their education and community, develop skills, and get on a path to enter and complete postsecondary education or training.
  • Capital for labs, studios, and other facilities that provide the space and technology for young people to develop their skills and passions and support them on the path to college or careers.
• Academic Success and Opportunity: The Foundation supports programs that help middle and high school students stay on track to graduate with the skills they need to be successful, such as reading and math proficiency, and that provide advanced learning and enrichment opportunities for youth with limited access to such experiences. Projects must have an evidence-based academic component with demonstrated results.
  • Examples of appropriate projects:
  • Proven models that help students master core academic subjects (e.g., algebra) and foster successful transitions from middle to high school and to postsecondary education.
  • After-school, weekend, or summer programs that work with students for a minimum of six weeks over the summer and one year during the school year and blend academic learning with enriching activities to increase educational achievement, school attendance, and positive social behavior.
  • Programs that increase access to advanced learning opportunities that promote higher achievement and future success.
• Adolescent Health and Well-Being: The Foundation supports programs that bolster the physical and mental well-being of adolescents so they can fully engage in school and life.
  • Examples of appropriate projects:
  • Youth development programs grounded in sports that provide mentorship, academic support, and athletic competition.
  • Innovative programs that support the mental health and well-being of young people who face significant challenges, including LGBTQ+ youth and young people experiencing homelessness or who are not in school or working.
  • Capital for facilities to provide high-quality sports-based youth development programs.

Program Grants

Program grants fund specific programs within an organization.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• The geographic focus areas are Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, New York City, Northeastern Pennsylvania, and San Francisco, as well as rural areas near these priority communities.
• Organizations are eligible to apply if they:
  • are a nonprofit with 501(c)(3), tax-exempt status;
  • provide direct services to low-income individuals and communities;
  • have two years of 990;
  • have two years of audited financial statements or external financial reviews; and
  • have at least one year of program outcomes.

Ineligibility

• The Foundation does not fund the following interests/entities:
  • Individuals
  • Arts and culture
  • Postsecondary scholarships
  • Debt reduction
  • Colleges and universities
  • Religious institutions and facilities (including churches, congregations, mosques, synagogues, and temples)
  • Think tanks
  • Endowments
  • Political action groups
  • Annual appeals (in most cases)
  • Publications
  • Academic or health research
  • Fundraising events