Ben & Jerry's Foundation Grassroots Organizing National Grant Program

We believe those most impacted by inequity and injustice are in the best position to develop solutions. Our intent is to achieve a better future for all by providing support to community-based, grassroots organizations confronting social and environmental injustice. We are inspired by Civil Rights icon John Lewis’ admonition, “Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

The National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) offers two-year unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year, with an average grant size of $20,000 per year, to small (budgets under $350,000), constituent-led grassroots organizations throughout the United States and its territories.

APPLICATIONS FOR 2025 ARE NOW OPEN.

As we use a rolling process, you may submit anytime throughout the year.

OUR APPROACH TO FUNDING

While our broad goals are to further social and environmental justice, our primary purpose is to support the local leadership and grassroots organizing activities of our grant partners rather than any specific issues the organizations are addressing. We are interested in supporting groups that are carrying out activities that build support and collective action to address impacts of inequity and injustice in their communities.

We are guided by common principles of community organizing which we look for in proposals. In general these are:

1. The organization is led by the people directly impacted by the issues the organization works on, and those people have clear decision-making power.
2. A plan with clear goals to gain rights, win collective political power and create positive community change.
3. An assessment of the problem being addressed and best tactics to employ.
4. Outreach, networking, and ally gaining activities that build support and momentum.
5. Educational activities and events that inform and motivate and build support.

We know that organizing can take many forms. Some grassroots organizing activities might include but are not limited to:

1. Community & ally outreach
2. Leadership development of constituents
3. Constituent empowerment & decision-making
4. Popular education
5. Campaign development
6. Mobilizing constituents & allies
7. Coalition building
8. Non-violent direct action (NVDA)

AREAS NOT FUNDED

UNFORTUNATELY, WE CANNOT CONSIDER REQUESTS FOR:

1. Direct services to individuals, i.e. food pantries, youth mentorship programs
2. Organizations with an International scope of work 
3. Organizations with an annual operating budget over $350,000
4. Discretionary or emergency support
5. Donations or sponsorships
6. Public or private schools, colleges or universities
7. Activities to elect specific candidates for public office
8. Individuals, fellowships or scholarship programs
9. Litigation
10. Capital or endowment campaigns
11. State agencies or government programs
12. Businesses or business associations
13. Religious activities
14. Arts or Media programs that are not linked to a clear grassroots organizing campaign
15. Other foundations

Requirements

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING, EACH APPLICANT ORGANIZATION MUST:

1. Have an annual operating budget under $350,000
2. Use grassroots, collective-action organizing campaigns as the primary strategy for creating social change
3. Be a non-profit with 501(c)3 status, or have a fiscal agent with this status
4. Be U.S.-based and exclusively U.S.-focused

Learn More