Open nowRolling / open intake
Protecting Democracy
Voter educationCivic literacyCivic engagement+1 more
Who can apply: Nonpartisan nonprofits with projects fitting Bader Philanthropies’ geographic and strategic boundaries.
Civic Engagement & Democracy Grants
498 foundations$3.4B total annual giving$36K median grant47 states with funders
Discover 498 grantmaking foundations funding civic engagement & democracy programs, with combined annual giving of $3.4B. The median grant size for civic engagement & democracy is $36K.
Civic Engagement & Democracy Grantmaking at a Glance
Foundations
498
Total Annual Giving
$3.4B
Total Assets Under Management
$7.4B
Median Grant Size
$36K
States with Funders
47
Total Grants on Record
14,449
Open Grant Opportunities
Live programs funding civic engagement & democracy that your nonprofit can apply to now.
Open nowRolling / open intake
Kornfeld Foundation Grants
From Emily Davie and Joseph S Kornfeld Foundation
Civic engagementDemocracy and activismPolicy advocacy+7 more
Who can apply: Applicants must submit a complete electronic proposal focused on civic engagement or arts education. Civic engagement proposals must fund work in New York City. Arts education proposals must focus on creativity development among young people enrolled in New York City public schools, including classroom partnerships and after-school programs. The Foundation supports program, project, and general operating support, including multi-year funding where merited, but does not support capital or endowment campaigns. First-time applicants should first submit a 2–3 page letter of introduction by email and may subsequently be invited to submit a full proposal.
Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Varies
General Grantmaking Program
From England Family Foundation (Fka the Lois and Richard England Foundation Inc)
Economic justiceFood securityHousing equity+15 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations actively serving the Washington, D.C. community, demonstrate evidence of efficacy and alignment with the England Family Foundation’s mission, vision, and strategic focus areas, and provide clear financial statements and a Form 990, 990-EZ, or audited financial statements if available. Capital campaign requests are considered only from existing grantees. Multiyear grants are not provided.
Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Up to $1K
What’s Next, America? Spark Grants
From National Issues Forums Institute
Public deliberationCivic engagementCommunity development+3 more
Who can apply: Applicants must organize or support a “What’s Next, America?” conversation. Grant-funded activities must use the “What’s Next, America?” conversation format, be strictly nonpartisan, and align with NIFI’s charitable and educational mission.
Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Varies
Grants Program
From Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
Racial equitySocial and economic justicePoverty alleviation+6 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be local, statewide, regional, or national nonprofits serving the South with a track record of helping people and places move out of poverty and achieve greater social and economic justice. Strong candidates demonstrate accountability to low-wealth communities, clear analyses and strategies for addressing race and power, values-aligned networks or alliances, a long-term view of systems change, and the ability to act strategically and opportunistically. The Foundation does not fund direct service programs, individual elementary or secondary schools, fundraising events, scholarships, athletes or sporting events, endowments or cash reserves, or grants to individuals.
Open nowRolling / open intake
Democratic Practice – United States
From Rockefeller Brothers Fund
DemocracyCivic engagementPolicy analysis+1 more
Who can apply: Organizations must be tax-exempt or seeking support for a project that would qualify as educational or charitable. Unsolicited requests are rarely funded.
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Largest Civic Engagement & Democracy Foundations
| Foundation | Location | Annual Giving | Total Assets | Median Grant | NTEE | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our American Future Foundation | Washington, DC | $103.8M | $31.7M | $4.7M | R40 | National |
| CONSORTIUM FOR ELECTIONS & POLITICAL PROCESS STRENGTHENING | WASHINGTON, DC | $93.1M | $2.3M | $51.7M | W24 | Regional |
| VOTER REGISTRATION PROJECT | WASHINGTON, DC | $43.6M | $9.2M | $264K | R40 | National |
| NEXTGEN EDUCATION FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $22.3M | $6.7M | $3.7M | R40 | Regional |
| ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH ORGANIZING | WASHINGTON, DC | $16.1M | $8.7M | $93K | R40 | National |
| MICHIGAN CIVIC ACTION FUND | MADISON HEIGHTS, MI | $14.4M | $1.4M | $100K | R40 | Regional |
| THE DONALD AND PAULA SMITH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $12.4M | $93.2M | $1.8M | W24 | Regional |
| MICHIGAN CIVIC EDUCATION FUND | MADISON HEIGHTS, MI | $12.1M | $2.8M | $49K | R40 | Local |
| PA ALLIANCE ACTION | Philadelphia, PA | $10.6M | $635K | $100K | R40 | Regional |
| WORKING FAMILIES ORGANIZATION INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $8.1M | $22.4M | $100K | R40 | National |
Our American Future Foundation
Washington, DC
Annual Giving
$103.8M
Total Assets
$31.7M
Median Grant
$4.7M
R40National
CONSORTIUM FOR ELECTIONS & POLITICAL PROCESS STRENGTHENING
WASHINGTON, DC
Annual Giving
$93.1M
Total Assets
$2.3M
Median Grant
$51.7M
W24Regional
VOTER REGISTRATION PROJECT
WASHINGTON, DC
Annual Giving
$43.6M
Total Assets
$9.2M
Median Grant
$264K
R40National
NEXTGEN EDUCATION FUND
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Annual Giving
$22.3M
Total Assets
$6.7M
Median Grant
$3.7M
R40Regional
ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH ORGANIZING
WASHINGTON, DC
Annual Giving
$16.1M
Total Assets
$8.7M
Median Grant
$93K
R40National
MICHIGAN CIVIC ACTION FUND
MADISON HEIGHTS, MI
Annual Giving
$14.4M
Total Assets
$1.4M
Median Grant
$100K
R40Regional
THE DONALD AND PAULA SMITH FOUNDATION
NEW YORK, NY
Annual Giving
$12.4M
Total Assets
$93.2M
Median Grant
$1.8M
W24Regional
MICHIGAN CIVIC EDUCATION FUND
MADISON HEIGHTS, MI
Annual Giving
$12.1M
Total Assets
$2.8M
Median Grant
$49K
R40Local
WORKING FAMILIES ORGANIZATION INC
BROOKLYN, NY
Annual Giving
$8.1M
Total Assets
$22.4M
Median Grant
$100K
R40National
Explore Civic Engagement & Democracy Foundations
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Civic Engagement & Democracy(locked)
Where Civic Engagement & Democracy Funders Are Located
Top 15 states by foundation count
| State | Foundations | Total Annual Giving | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 81 | $1.8B | View all in District of Columbia | |
| California | 67 | $237.9M | View all in California | |
| New York | 46 | $457.2M | View all in New York | |
| Texas | 26 | $25.6M | View all in Texas | |
| Massachusetts | 22 | $130.9M | View all in Massachusetts | |
| Colorado | 17 | $18.3M | View all in Colorado | |
| Florida | 17 | $51.8M | View all in Florida | |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | $21.1M | View all in Pennsylvania | |
| Ohio | 17 | $12.2M | View all in Ohio | |
| Virginia | 16 | $131.8M | View all in Virginia | |
| North Carolina | 15 | $104.3M | View all in North Carolina | |
| Michigan | 15 | $38.4M | View all in Michigan | |
| Georgia | 13 | $11.3M | View all in Georgia | |
| Washington | 13 | $20.5M | View all in Washington | |
| Illinois | 11 | $111.4M | View all in Illinois |
Types of Foundations in Civic Engagement & Democracy
Independent Foundation9919.9%$857M
19.9%
Independent Foundation99 (19.9%)
$857M in annual giving
Issue Fund9118.3%$408.5M
18.3%
Issue Fund91 (18.3%)
$408.5M in annual giving
Family Foundation6913.9%$108.1M
13.9%
Family Foundation69 (13.9%)
$108.1M in annual giving
Funding Intermediary5811.6%$1.4B
11.6%
Funding Intermediary58 (11.6%)
$1.4B in annual giving
Operating Nonprofit5711.4%$38.4M
11.4%
Operating Nonprofit57 (11.4%)
$38.4M in annual giving
Professional Association
193.8%$24.6M
Professional Association19 (3.8%)
$24.6M in annual giving
Place Based Fund
142.8%$27.8M
Place Based Fund14 (2.8%)
$27.8M in annual giving
Other9118.3%$484.8M
18.3%
Other91 (18.3%)
$484.8M in annual giving
Foundation TypeCountShareGiving
Typical Grant Profile in Civic Engagement & Democracy
Median Grant Size
$36K
New Grantee Rate
57%
Accept Unsolicited Proposals
44%
Most Recent Filing Year
2026
The typical Civic Engagement & Democracy foundation awards grants of $36K. Approximately 57% of Civic Engagement & Democracy foundations actively fund new organizations, and 44% accept unsolicited proposals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Civic Engagement & Democracy Grants
How many foundations fund civic engagement & democracy?
There are 498 grantmaking foundations that fund civic engagement & democracy programs across 47 states.
What is the median grant size for civic engagement & democracy?
The median grant from foundations funding civic engagement & democracy is $36K. Actual grant sizes vary widely depending on the foundation's size and giving strategy.
What are the largest civic engagement & democracy foundations?
The largest foundations funding civic engagement & democracy by annual giving include Our American Future Foundation, CONSORTIUM FOR ELECTIONS & POLITICAL PROCESS STRENGTHENING, VOTER REGISTRATION PROJECT, with combined giving of $240.5M.
Which states have the most civic engagement & democracy funders?
The states with the most civic engagement & democracy foundations are District of Columbia (81), California (67), New York (46). Use the geographic breakdown above to see the full distribution.
How do I find civic engagement & democracy grants for my nonprofit?
Kindora's free funder database includes 498 foundations funding civic engagement & democracy with IRS 990 financial data, grant history, and geographic reach. Use the interactive discovery table above to filter by state, foundation type, and grant size. Sign up for a free account to access AI-powered grant intelligence including fit scores and application tips.
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