The Ben and Jerry’s Foundation invites applications for its National Grassroots Organizing program.

Through the program, grants of up to $30,000 will be awarded to small, nonprofit grassroots organizations throughout the United States and its territories (that are not located in Vermont) working to help themselves and their communities create broad systems change through community organizing and movement-building efforts.

The foundation prioritizes organizations that are led by and center the leadership and agency of Black communities, Indigenous communities, and communities of color that approach their work using anti-oppression values—consciously striving to dismantle systems of oppression and the legacies of white supremacy culture in this country while working toward a more just and equitable society.

The foundation recognizes the following practices to be important components of effective grassroots organizing efforts: community and ally outreach; leadership development; constituent empowerment and decision-making; popular education; root cause analysis; power analysis; campaign development; mobilizing constituents and allies; coalition building; and non-violent direct action (NVDA).

Applicants must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or have a fiscal sponsor with such status. They must have an annual operating budget under $350,000.

Applications will be accepted beginning May 1, 2022, with a deadline of June 15, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Ben and Jerry’s Foundation website.

Deadline: June 15, 2022 4:00 p.m. ET

The Ben and Jerry’s Foundation is inviting applications for its Grassroots Organizing for Social Change program.

Through the program, grants of up to $30,000 will be awarded to nonprofit community-organizing groups in the United States working to advance social and environmental justice and support sustainable and just food systems. The foundation gives preference to activities and strategies used for creating social change rather than on the specific issues an organization may be addressing. Priority strategies identified by the foundation include community and ally outreach; leadership development; constituent empowerment and decision-making; popular education; root cause analysis; power analysis; campaign development; mobilizing constituents and allies; coalition building; and direct action.

To be eligible, applicants must be tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or have a fiscal sponsor with such status, and must have a budget under $500,000.

Pre-applications will be accepted from May 1 to June 1, 2021. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by August 16, 2021.

See the Ben and Jerry’s Foundation website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.

Deadline: June 1, 2021 (Pre-applications)