FUNDING GUIDELINES

ORGANIZATION ELIGIBILITY

What We Fund

The Impact Grant program is invitation-only, one-year funding for nonprofit organizations that drive meaningful long-term change and whose mission aligns with our pillars: economic mobility, small business support and infrastructure & networks.

Please review the most recent list of organizations NICI has supported in the past for a snapshot of our investment ethos.

  • Programs and projects that support the ability to improve one’s economic status, including but not limited to:

    • Workforce development programs

    • Apprenticeships

    • Employability/soft-skills workshops

  • Programs and projects investing in small businesses owned and operated in NICI priority communities, including but not limited to:

    • Small business development services

    • Small business resource networks

  • Projects targeting investments in physical spaces, knowledge building, social networks, coaching, technical assistance and planning to support economic mobility gains, including but not limited to:

    • Collaborative efforts supporting long-term collective impact

    • Physical and network-based capacity-building projects

    • Feasibility case studies for high-impact community-based economic development projects and initiatives

*We do not provide grants that support primary or secondary schools, K-12 extracurricular programming, arts and culture projects, hospitals, basic need providers or animal services.

Additional Requirements for Consideration

  • Provide evidence of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as granted by the Internal Revenue Service or of a political subdivision
    (schools, municipal foundations, etc.)

  • Indicate how many people will be impacted by the project.

  • Summarize how the program or project will be accomplished and the expected results.

  • Provide a timeline for the project.

  • Provide budget information and other sources of funding for the project.

  • Submit its most recent audited financial statement and Form 990.

  • Provide summary impact reporting as outlined in the grant agreement issued when a grant is approved.

Additional Ineligible Causes

NICI will not consider support for the following:

  • Individuals

  • Organizations that do not have 501(C)(3) or equivalent status.

  • Churches and religious organizations*

  • Fraternal organizations

  • Athletic organizations without a broader mission

  • Trips, sporting events, tours, and transportation

  • Advertising, film, or video projects

  • Political causes, candidates, organizations or campaigns

  • Union organizations

  • Organizations or projects that directly benefit the company, its employees, or governing bodies with direct oversight of the company.

  • Organizations that discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected class.

  • Private Trusts & Private Foundations

  • Estate or Estate with a close relationship with a private foundation.

*Organizations connected to faith but who serve a purpose beyond religion can be considered based on the cause they are affiliated with and its alignment with the Foundation’s guidelines and giving criteria.