In 2021, the GROW Grants Program will be rolling out changes that will affect the grant award categories, grant requirements, the application and scoring rubric forms, and the application submission deadlines. Additionally, these will be unveiled alongside new resource materials on this web page. All changes to the applications and grading process will take effect on February 1, 2021, and will apply to grant submissions in February 2021 and thereafter.
Until then, you can still apply for a GROW Grant by the January 23, 2021 deadline using the current application form. These January 2021 applications will be assessed using the current rubric and requirements, and applicants that round will be notified of their award status during the first week of February 2021.
Indivisible Group Leaders will be notified when the 2021 GROW Grants Program is rolled-out via the weekly Group Leader emails.
During this period of physical distancing, Indivisible groups are developing creative ways to build capacity, collaborate and learn while staying safe (such as video conferencing, using digital tools and sponsoring mutual aid efforts). We welcome applications that reflect our current reality. Some of the examples and explanations listed below may not be applicable during social distancing, but keep them in mind as one day we will certainly join together not only in community, but again in person. Until then, please refer to our FAQ if you need help navigating the grant restrictions on in-person events.
Welcome to the Indivisible GrassRoots Organizing Wins (GROW) Grant program! Thisprogram is designed tosupport group collaboration and capacity building. Using the process below, Indivisible groups can apply for grant money for projects, supplies, trainings, venues, vendors and more.
Grants will be reviewed and awarded monthly.
Applications are due on or before the 23rd of each month.
Funding decisions will be made on or before the 5th of each month
Money awarded will be deposited into your Distributed Fundraising account immediately. (If you don’t have a Distributed Fundraising account, setting one up will add another couple weeks to the process.)
Funds should be used within six months of receipt
Your good news report-backs are due once the grant is used
The amount of funding provided varies with the scope and type of the proposed project.
Up to $500: Projects that involve only one or two Indivisible groups
Up to $1500: Projects that involve multiple (3+) Indivisible groups but do not center on statewide trainings.
Example: a multi-group postcarding project that is designed to increase membership, build collaboration, and strengthen each group’s infrastructure.
Up to $4,000: -a “statewide training” grant. Available only for projects created to train and/or convene many groups from across a state or several states. To qualify for this level of funding, the money requested must be primarily designated for such expenses as stipends for trainers, food for participants, venue/video conference software or other items that make the training possible, rather than for the funding of an action (such as texting tools, postcards or other software).
There are three requirements you must meet to be considered for a GROW Grant:
For projects that have met the requirements listed above, grant applications will be scored using this rubric and evaluated against the other grant proposals received each month. If your grant is not funded, you will be given the opportunity to learn why and to re-submit.
Most grants will be awarded based on numeric scores, but in some cases we may include additional considerations in the final decision. These considerations include equitable distribution of grants across the country; whether a group has received a previous GROW grant, and other factors we may not have anticipated in the initial program development.
Because Indivisible Project is a 501(c)(4) and the funds will be granted through its distributed fundraising program, there are a few restrictions about how the funds can be used. Some of these restrictions include:
Grants cannot be used for:
Drugs or alcohol
Personal enrichment
Staff or independent contractors (exception: vendors paid by debit card)
Direct contributions to campaigns/political parties/PACs
State & local political work
Coordinated federal political work (ie* working directly with campaigns)
Grants cannot be used for something other than the approved purpose.
Grants cannot be in conflict with the Indivisible Principles groups commit to when they register.
You can read more about the distributed fundraising program here.
From a group perspective, all you really need to do is decide with your group what you want to request a grant for and then complete an application. That said, you’ll be more likely to find success with a clear understanding of the process.
Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about the program overall or about your application. You can reach the GROW Grants team at growgrants@indivisible.org.