Advancement Grants is a grant program from The Nathan Cummings Foundation that funds organizations pursuing racial, economic, and environmental justice across the United States. Having awarded nearly half a billion dollars over three decades, the foundation uses a totality-of-assets approach, leveraging both financial and non-financial resources to support partner organizations.

Grants of up to $250,000 annually for up to two years are available through a year-round Letters of Inquiry portal. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored projects; 501(c)(4) organizations and individuals are not eligible. Organizations working in the U.S. South are particularly encouraged to apply.

Become a Partner | Nathan Cummings Foundation NCF seeks to connect with innovative partners and proximate change makers driving impact. Over the last three decades, NCF has awarded nearly half a billion dollars in funding to support movements, organizations, and individuals pursuing justice for people and the planet.

We embrace a “totality of assets” approach to impact, meaning we leverage the full power of our financial and non-financial resources to support our partners’ solutions. We want to learn from, work with, and support organizations that share our commitment to advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice (REEJ).

Nathan Cummings Foundation (NCF) is now welcoming proposals for partnerships via our Letters of Inquiry (LOI) portals year-round. Grant and Program Related Investment proposals can be submitted using the same portal. About NCF’s Funding : NCF is on a learning journey, and we seek to connect with innovative partners and proximate change makers who are driving impact.

We want to learn from, work with, and support organizations that share our commitment to advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice (REEJ). LOIs will be reviewed, and decisions will be made , on a rolling basis. NCF staff anticipates notifying applicants to learn more about their submissions within 12 weeks of submission .

To apply follow these steps Please review our FAQs and racial, economic, and environmental justice focus areas to determine whether your work aligns. Complete the registration process and complete the Letter of Inquiry (LOI). What type of grants do you offer?

We believe that social change takes time and requires long-term investments. We also see immense value in supporting new, innovative, and exploratory work. To reflect this, we have a range of grant types: Venture Grants (up to $100k for one year): These grants are short-term and designed to expedite support to social entrepreneurs with breakthrough, emerging, and innovative solutions.

They also serve to mutually explore new relationships and partnerships. Advancement Grants (Up to $250k annually for up to two years): These grants are designed to provide two-year support to project-based work and/or help scale organizations and promising solutions.

Enterprise Grants ($250k+ annually for more than two years): These grants are invitation-only and are designed to provide multi-year, unrestricted funding to partners that have deep alignment across our REEJ focus areas and offer the most opportunity to use all our financial and non-financial resources to support their solutions. What kind of work is NOT supported by Nathan Cummings Foundation?

NCF maintains a funding area in Israel-Palestine, that portfolio is invitation-only Social or direct service projects that are not a part of a larger advocacy strategy. For example, we do not support direct services (e.g. cash transfer, work development programs, food and education services, housing assistance, etc.).

Fundraising events, sponsorships, panel requests, or galas Campus or prison-based programs K-12, extra-curricular, religious, or community arts education programming Religious communities, congregations, and churches Community gardening and tree planting projects Projects addressing diseases, including medical research, personal health, and wellness program What kind of funding is available through the Foundation?

How often are applications reviewed? Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as the portal will remain open for REEJ-related LOIs year-round . What is the typical size of a funding award?

Most of our grants range from about $50,000 – $250,000. We anticipate most PRIs will range from $250,000 to $750,000, typically to be repaid within three to seven years. FAQ See all frequently asked questions The 2024 Impact Report Is Now Available.