NOW Foundation Youth Engagement Grants

2026 Grant Cycle

The NOW Foundation is pleased to launch the Youth Engagement Grants, a new funding opportunity to support NOW chapters in developing creative, feminist, nonpartisan, and 501(c)(3)-compliant activities that engage young adults ages 18–35.

These grants are designed to help chapters increase young adult participation, expand NOW’s reach through youth-centered social and educational programming, and build pathways for young feminist leadership and future involvement with NOW.

Grants will be awarded to NOW chapters in good standing. Each application must include a youth engagement lead, ages 18–35, who will help plan and implement the proposed activities in partnership with the chapter. A chapter may identify a youth engagement lead, or a young NOW member/youth leader may develop a project idea and work with their chapter to submit the application.

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: July 15 – November 30, 2026
  • Applications Reviewed: Rolling basis
  • Total Funding Pool: $20,000
  • Grant Size: Up to $1,500 per award
  • Project Period: July 15 – December 31, 2026
  • Final Report Due: 30 days after the project ends, and no later than January 31, 2027

Apply Now

Submit your application through the official online form:

Apply Now: https://airtable.com/appf9LV59Yceyf3lv/shrPBCSfxc7wEkibz

Before applying, please review the full Request for Applications 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 in good standing.
  • Current on required reporting and compliance obligations.
  • Able to complete the proposed project during the grant period.
  • Able to include a youth engagement lead, ages 18–35, who will help plan and implement the proposed activities in partnership with the chapter.
  • 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:

  • Feminist coffee meetups or discussion gatherings.
  • Happy hour-style gatherings with reasonable food and non-alcoholic refreshments.
  • Feminist trivia nights.
  • Book clubs.
  • Museum visits.
  • Panel discussions.
  • Field trips.
  • Feminist movie nights with discussion.
  • Educational workshops or issue-based conversations.
  • Youth-focused social media campaigns.
  • Digital outreach projects.
  • Collaboration with student, youth-led, feminist, civic, or community organizations.
  • Other approved 501(c)(3)-compliant youth engagement activities.

Activities should be designed to attract, engage, educate, and build relationships with young adults ages 18–35.

Funding and Eligible Costs

Grant funds may support reasonable and necessary project expenses directly tied to the approved project, including venue rental, educational materials, outreach and communications materials, reasonable food and non-alcoholic refreshments, accessibility accommodations, speaker honoraria and facilitator costs, event-related costs, program-related supplies, social media or digital outreach, and transportation or accessibility costs directly tied to approved project activities.

Chapters may also include an optional Youth Engagement Lead Honorarium in the proposed budget. The honorarium is not required. Any honorarium may not exceed 20% of the approved award amount or $300, whichever is less, and must be tied to defined project responsibilities, included in the approved budget, administered by the chapter, and handled in accordance with the chapter’s payment documentation and tax compliance procedures.

Grant funds may not be used for lobbying, partisan political activity, support for or opposition to any candidate or political party, membership drives as the sole or primary grant-funded activity, unrelated general operating expenses, alcohol, cash assistance or unrestricted financial support to individuals, or expenses outside the approved project budget.

What You’ll Need to Apply

Applicants will be asked to provide information in the following sections:

  • Applicant and project information.
  • Project description, activities, and implementation plan.
  • Goals, metrics, and results tracking.
  • Budget and budget narrative.
  • Compliance certification.

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Review and Award Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis while funds remain available. Award decisions may be based on alignment with the purpose of the Youth Engagement Grants, clear focus on engaging young adults ages 18–35, strength and feasibility of the proposed activities, role of the youth engagement lead and partnership with the chapter, expected reach and impact, and ability to track basic results.

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 January 31, 2027.

The final report must include a summary of activities completed, audiences reached, basic participation metrics, social media or digital engagement results if applicable, partnerships or collaborations if applicable, financial summary of expenditures, and lessons learned.

Questions

For questions about the Youth 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 feminist values and social justice.