The Chorus Inc. prioritizes long-term support for community-led organizing, regional civic infrastructure, and movement-building networks, with particular interest in environmental justice, Indigenous and regional (Appalachia/Buffalo) grassroots work, and alternative financing models. Grants skew toward general operating and program support delivered to intermediaries, donor collaboratives, and place-based foundations that build capacity and scale for local social justice efforts.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants (many six- and seven-figure awards) focused on general operating and program support; tendency to fund intermediaries, place-based community foundations, and repeat grantees to strengthen movement infrastructure rather than many small, project-specific gifts.
The Chorus Inc. is defined by long-term, unrestricted commitments to anchor organizations in place-based focus communities, especially in Eastern Kentucky, Alaska, Richmond, California, and Buffalo, New York. In the recent grants list, that pattern shows up in a $2,585,000 grant to Native Movement for general operations and program/project support and a $2,300,000 grant to Seed Commons for general operations and program/project support. Those awards sit alongside other large commitments to organizations working on community power, climate and environmental justice, and economic alternatives. The foundation’s grantmaking also reaches intermediaries and regional infrastructure groups that help local organizations sustain organizing over time. Recent examples include $1,300,000 to Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc for program/project support and $1,235,000 to Urban Tilth for general operations. Across the portfolio, the emphasis is on building local political, economic, and cultural power in communities affected by the fossil fuel economy, with support often structured to strengthen capacity rather than fund one-off projects only.
The Chorus Inc. gives across several connected cause areas, with each grant tied to local power-building. In Indigenous-led organizing, it awarded $2,585,000 to Native Movement for general operations and program/project support, and $387,500 to Indigenous Environmental Network for general operations. For community finance and economic alternatives, Seed Commons received $2,300,000 for general operations and program/project support, and North American Students of Cooperation received $350,000 for program/project support. In Appalachian and regional infrastructure work, Appalshop received two $1,000,000 grants for program/project support, while Highlander Research & Education Center received $270,000 for general operations and program/project support. Environmental justice also appears through Asian Pacific Environmental Network, which received $1,100,000 for general operations.
Typical grant size is $10,500 at the 25th percentile, $26,625 at the median, and $83,333 at the 75th percentile, while the recent grants list also includes several seven-figure awards. The Chorus Inc. is a regular funder with both open and targeted programs, and its grant records show repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Appalachian groups and Kentucky-based recipients. The foundation makes both general operating and project-specific grants, with long-term unrestricted commitments used in selected focus communities. Applicants can use a web portal for the general grant program, and one general grantmaking program accepted unsolicited applications through a concept paper and proposal process.
$24M
$25.9M
$43.9M
$25.3M
Most grants fall between $11K and $83K, with a median of $27K.
25th Percentile
$11K
Median
$27K
75th Percentile
$83K
About 6% of grants go to recipients in KY.
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Notable grantees: Native Movement, Seed Commons, Appalshop, Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), Open Buffalo
Grantmaking is national, with every listed recent grant going to U.S. recipients. Kentucky appears most often in the recent grants, including recipients in Whitesburg, Berea, London, and a top-state share of 6% for Massachusetts recipients. Other visible hubs include Alaska through Fairbanks and Anchorage, New York through Buffalo and Upper Buffalo, and California through Richmond and Oakland. The recipient-country distribution is entirely domestic, so the geographic pattern is about place-based U.S. organizing rather than international giving.
It funds organizations working on climate justice, just transition, movement building, community power, and community economic development. Recent grants also show support for Indigenous-led organizing, environmental justice, Appalachian infrastructure, and community finance groups such as Seed Commons and Justice Funders.
Yes. The recent grants list includes general operations awards such as $2,585,000 to Native Movement, $1,235,000 to Urban Tilth, and $1,100,000 to Asian Pacific Environmental Network. The program descriptions also reference long-term unrestricted funding commitments in focus communities.
The grant-size distribution centers at $10,500 at the 25th percentile, $26,625 at the median, and $83,333 at the 75th percentile. The recent portfolio also includes much larger awards, including multiple grants above $1 million.
Yes for at least one general grant program. That program accepted unsolicited applications through the foundation’s web portal, with applicants able to submit either a concept paper followed by a full proposal if invited, or a full proposal only.
Its recent grants are entirely to U.S. recipients, and Kentucky appears most often in the grant list. Other recurring recipient locations include Alaska, New York, California, and Massachusetts.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Chorus that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations working in Richmond and advancing the foundation's just transition strategy.
Deadline: Rolling; no fixed deadline stated.
Who can apply: Organizations working in Buffalo that align with the foundation's new economy and just transition goals.
Deadline: Rolling; no fixed deadline stated.
Who can apply: Organizations working in Alaska that advance the foundation's just transition and new economy goals.
Deadline: Rolling; no fixed deadline stated.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIVE MOVEMENT | FAIRBANKS, AK | $2,585,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS & PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| SEED COMMONS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS & PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| OPEN BUFFALO INC | UPPER BUFFALO, NY | $1,777,311 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS & PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER BUFFALO INC | BUFFALO, NY | $1,300,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| URBAN TILTH | RICHMOND, CA | $1,235,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ASIAN PACIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK | OAKLAND, CA | $1,100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SOLIDAIRE NETWORK | SEATTLE, WA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| APPALACHIAN COMMUNITY FUND | KNOXVILLE, TN | $970,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS & PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| EAST BAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $825,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| VOICES FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE DBA LABOR NETWORK FOR SUSTAINABILITY | TAKOMA PARK, MD | $650,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SOCIAL GOOD FUND | RICHMOND, CA | $570,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| PEOPLE UNITED FOR SUSTAINABLE HOUSING INC | BUFFALO, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS & PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| PROTEUS FUND | AMHERST, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK | BEMIDJI, MN | $387,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| EKVNV YEFOLECVLKE | WEOGUFKA, AL | $375,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NORTH AMERICAN STUDENTS OF COOPERATION | CHICAGO, IL | $350,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| NEW VENTURE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $300,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| HIGHLANDER RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER | NEW MARKET, TN | $270,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS & PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| MOUNTAIN ASSOCIATION | BEREA, KY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS & PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| CLIMATE JUSTICE ALLIANCE | BERKELEY, CA | $237,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $220,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CENTER FOR THIRD WORLD ORGANIZING | OAKLAND, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| ACTION GROUP ON EROSION TECHNOLOGY AND CONCENTRATION INC | OAKLAND, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITIES FOR A BETTER ENVIRONMENT | HUNTINGTON PARK, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND | ANCHORAGE, AK | $200,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| RUCKUS SOCIETY INC | OAKLAND, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MOVEMENT TRAINING NETWORK | TIERRA AMARILLA, NM | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ALLIANCE FOR A JUST SOCIETY | SEATTLE, WA | $200,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| TAPROOT EARTH CO MT AIRY AXIS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MOVEMENT GENERATION | BERKELEY, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| INDIGENOUS PEOPLES POWER PROJECT INC | PORTLAND, OR | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GRASSROOTS GLOBAL JUSTICE | WASHINGTON, DC | $187,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| RIGHT TO THE CITY ALLIANCE | BROOKLYN, NY | $187,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SMARTMEME DBA CENTER FOR STORY-BASED STRATEGY | OAKLAND, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN KENTUCKY | HAZARD, KY | $150,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| GREENWAVE ORGANIZATION | NEW HAVEN, CT | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| RUNNING STRONG FOR AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $150,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| MONDO BIZARRO PRODUCTIONS | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $150,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| FILMMAKERS COLLABORATIVECHRIS LANDRY | MELROSE, MA | $150,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| KENTUCKY COALITION | LONDON, KY | $120,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| APPALSHOP | WHITESBURG, KY | $120,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS & PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIVE PHILANTHROPY | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNITED TRIBES OF BRISTOL BAY | DILLINGHAM, AK | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NEIGHBORHOOD FUNDERS GROUP | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THOUSAND CURRENTS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UPROSE INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| RESOURCE GENERATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GRASSROOTS INTERNATIONAL INC | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NOT AN ALTERNATIVE | VASHON, WA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BEAVER VILLAGE COUNCIL | BEAVER, AR | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
SOLIDAIRE NETWORK
$1,000,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
GENERAL OPERATIONS
GENERAL OPERATIONS & PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
PROTEUS FUND
$500,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
NORTH AMERICAN STUDENTS OF COOPERATION
$350,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATIONS & PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
ACTION GROUP ON EROSION TECHNOLOGY AND CONCENTRATION INC
$200,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND
$200,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
RUCKUS SOCIETY INC
$200,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MOVEMENT TRAINING NETWORK
$200,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
TAPROOT EARTH CO MT AIRY AXIS
$200,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
SMARTMEME DBA CENTER FOR STORY-BASED STRATEGY
$150,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FILMMAKERS COLLABORATIVECHRIS LANDRY
$150,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
UNITED TRIBES OF BRISTOL BAY
$100,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
NEIGHBORHOOD FUNDERS GROUP
$100,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
BEAVER VILLAGE COUNCIL
$100,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
