NOW Foundation Civic Engagement Grants

2026 Grant Cycle

The NOW Foundation Civic Engagement Grants support strictly nonpartisan, 501(c)(3)-compliant voter education, voter registration, voter engagement, and get-out-the-vote activities during the 2026 midterm election cycle.

These grants are designed to help NOW chapters, state organizations, and approved NOW-affiliated entities strengthen civic participation among women, young voters, students, and communities directly impacted by issues central to NOW Foundation’s mission.

All grant-funded work must be strictly nonpartisan. Grant funds may not be used to support or oppose any candidate, political party, PAC, partisan committee, or partisan campaign.

Application Period: June–September 15, 2026
Applications Reviewed: Rolling basis
Total Funding Pool: $60,000
Grant Size: $500–$15,000 per award
Project Period: July–November 2026
Final Report Due: 30 days after the project ends, and no later than December 31, 2026

Full Request for Applications (RFA)

Apply Now

Submit your application through the official online form.

Apply Now

Before applying, please review the full RFA for eligibility, allowable activities and expenses, compliance requirements, review criteria, award process, and reporting requirements.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must be:

  • An officially recognized NOW chapter, state organization, or approved NOW-affiliated entity
  • In good standing and current on required reporting and compliance obligations
  • Able to complete the proposed project during the grant period
  • Able to participate in required training before grant-funded activities begin
  • Able to track basic outcomes and submit a final report

Applicants with outstanding compliance issues may be required to resolve them before receiving an award.

What the Grant Can Support

Grant-funded activities may include:

  • Nonpartisan voter education
  • Nonpartisan voter registration
  • Nonpartisan get-out-the-vote activities
  • Phone banking, canvassing, texting, tabling, and community outreach
  • Social media or digital outreach
  • Community forums or educational events
  • Youth and student civic engagement
  • Transportation or accessibility support, where legally permissible and approved

All activities must be conducted on a strictly nonpartisan basis.

Funding and Eligible Costs

Grant funds may support reasonable and necessary project expenses directly tied to the approved project, including educational materials, outreach and communications materials, event costs, accessibility accommodations, speaker or facilitator costs, voter engagement tools, and program-related supplies.

Grant funds may not be used for salaries or ongoing compensation, lobbying, partisan political activity, candidate or party support, membership drives, unrelated general operating expenses, or cash assistance to individuals.

What You’ll Need to Apply

Applicants will be asked to provide:

  • Applicant information
  • Project summary
  • Amount requested
  • Proposed activities
  • Project timeline
  • Budget and budget narrative
  • Expected reach and outcomes
  • Confirmation of 501(c)(3) compliance

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Review and Award Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis while funds remain available. Award decisions will be based on project alignment, community need, feasibility, expected impact, budget reasonableness, and compliance readiness.

Approved applicants will receive a formal award notification, grant agreement, payment instructions, and reporting requirements.

Reporting Requirements

Grantees must submit a final report within 30 days after project completion and no later than December 31, 2026.

The final report must include a summary of activities completed, basic outcomes, financial summary of expenditures, and supporting documentation for grant-funded expenses.

Questions

For questions about the Civic Engagement Grants, please contact: grants@now.org

About the NOW Foundation

The NOW Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to advancing women’s equality through education, advocacy, and community engagement. The Foundation supports nonpartisan educational activities that promote women’s equality, civic participation, and social justice.