2026 Seed Grant
Social Justice Fund Northwest (SJF) is pleased to announce the 2026 Seed Grant, open to grassroots organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming. Please read the following information carefully before beginning your application.
Overview
Grant Awards: One-year grant of $5,000
Focus: New or developing community organizing (three years or less) in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and/or Wyoming.
Priority Consideration:
Organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (51% or more leadership)
Organizations conducting most of their work with reservation communities, and/or in rural or small towns (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau)
Organizations with annual budgets $500,000 USD or less
Application Open: Monday, January 5, 2026
Application Deadline: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Description
Seed Grants will provide small unrestricted funds for grassroots groups developing their community organizing work who do not yet meet all of SJF’s community organizing framework and would not be eligible for our regular grants. If your organization or project is less than three years old, has never been funded by SJF, and is currently doing or planning community organizing work, then you are eligible to apply for a $5,000 Seed Grant.
2026 Seed Grant decisions will be made in June. Please review the timeline and eligibility below.
The deadline to apply is March 19, 2026. Applications submitted after March 19 will not be considered for funding. Decisions will be made in June 2026.
Some examples of organizing work that is eligible for this grant include:
Timeline
- Application Open: Monday, January 5, 2026
- Informational Session: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
- Application Deadline: Monday, March 19, 2026
- Grant Award Announcements: June 2026
Eligibility
Eligible organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Organizations that work within SJF’s community organizing framework
- Nonprofit organizations, tribal agencies, or groups sponsored by a nonprofit organization or tribal agency
- This grant can fund:
- Organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501 (c)(4) status as determined by the IRS
- American Indian/NativeAmerican/First Nation Tribal Government or Agency
- Organizations that are fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3) or 501 (c)(4) organizations or tribal governments/agencies
- SJF does not fund individuals, you must be an organized group of people
- We do not fund direct services unless they are connected to or intertwined with community organizing work.
How to Apply
*Click here to begin your application in our Grants Portal*
Questions?
If you are unsure whether your organization qualifies or have any questions about this grant, please contact the SJF Grantmaking & Impact team at [email protected] as soon as possible. Please note that SJF offices are closed on Fridays.
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