Community Microgrants
Have an idea to improve social health in your neighborhood? Apply for $1,000.
Overview
Each month, we award $1,000 to support a community project that aims to achieve one or more of the following goals:
Foster friendship and connection
Strengthen neighborhood bonds
Build community cohesion locally
Bridge interpersonal and intergroup divides
Reduce social isolation and loneliness
We aim to improve social health at individual and community levels by supporting grassroots leaders who are taking action locally.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply if you are:
Based anywhere in the United States and your project is local
An individual community member (not applying on behalf of an organization)
Willing to have your project story shared publicly
Examples of the kinds of projects we might fund include organizing and hosting events that unite neighbors (in pandemic-safe ways) or refurbishing a derelict lot into a shared community space. But we hope you’ll surprise us with unique ideas that are tailored for your community!
Criteria
Mission Alignment 🚀
Does the project target one or more of the goals that are listed above?
Local Focus 🔍
Is the project created by, with, and for community members in a given neighborhood or city in the US?
Creative Innovation 🎨
Does the project fill a gap or meet a need in a way that is novel and meaningful for the community?
Budgetary Need 💸
Is financial support necessary or helpful to launch or scale the project?
Application
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and remain eligible for six months. Please apply by the end of a given month to be considered for the following month’s award. Due to the number of submissions we receive, we will only reach out if we have further questions or if your project is selected. Thanks for understanding!
Past Winners
We have awarded one microgrant each month since January 2021. We are proud to support these community leaders as they reweave the social fabric in their neighborhoods.
Feedback
“My connection to your initiative has truly allowed me to grow and develop a level of comfort in sharing my story and opening myself up to social interaction. I went from an individual who avoided people and social interactions to an individual who enjoys sharing my story, spending time in social settings and simply connecting with others. Thank you for what you are doing for communities across the country.”
— Awardee
“Through this program, you're providing an incredible contribution to the human community. Thank you for your work to build connection and fight loneliness.”
— Awardee
“SO AWESOME! This program completely warms my heart and I'm so impressed with everything you're doing with it. It's a joy to be able to tell my community about it.”
— Friend of Social Health Labs
“This would not have happened if Social Health Labs had not awarded me the community microgrant. Thank you so much for believing in me.”
— Awardee
“Women tell me how much they look forward to each get-together and want to continue getting together even when the grant funding is gone.”
— Awardee
“My son finally has a friend. He made his first friend.”
— Project Participant
“I was so surprised. Nothing like this happens to folks like me!”
— Awardee
Partner
We are grateful to the Well Being Trust for supporting this initiative.
