Michelson Spark Grants
The Smart Justice funding cycle has closed. Stay tuned for updates on the next Spark Grants funding cycle, which will focus on Student Basic Needs!
Spark Grants is an innovative, just-in-time grantmaking process.
Our vision is to introduce a process that can fill urgent needs for education organizations that are well-aligned with our focus areas. We seek to fund highly impactful initiatives that would not be possible if they needed to wait through a traditional grant decision timeline.
The Spark Advantage
Timing
In the spirit of acting quickly, grants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Eligibility
For this round of funding we have decided to focus our impact on organizations that are doing work in California. Organizations whose work does not impact California will be ineligible for this opportunity.
Velocity
We are committed to advancing or declining an LOI within one week of when our call for proposals close. Grants will be awarded within six weeks of the call for proposals closing.
Baseline Grant Criteria
- We will be awarding grants up to $25,000 to United States-based nonprofits and educational institutions whose projects hit one of the focus areas outlined below.
- For this funding cycle, we will focus on organizations that are doing work in California.
- Proposals where Michelson Spark Grant funds are part of a larger overall project with multiple funding streams are welcomed.
- Please note your project must address at least one of the focus areas to be considered.
Smart Justice Funding Cycle Focus Areas
- Efforts that scale and increase higher education and workforce development programming for incarcerated women. Projects should improve post-release opportunities and reduce recidivism, which can include but is not limited to:
- Implementing and scaling gender-responsive curricula that address the unique needs and challenges faced by incarcerated women.
- Increasing vocational training opportunities in high-demand fields, ensuring that women gain skills that are relevant to the current job market.
- Incorporating life skills training, including financial literacy, parenting, and relationship management.
- Establishing ongoing partnerships and memorandums with educational institutions and employers to facilitate gender-specific post-release education and employment opportunities.
- Incorporating counseling, mentorship, and other support services to address issues such as trauma, substance abuse, and mental health as part of the educational curricula.
- Multigenerational programming that supports the children of incarcerated individuals and prevents the school-to-prison pipeline. Efforts can include but are not limited to:
- Addressing trauma and mental health needs of children of incarcerated parents
- Maintaining the parent/child bond during incarceration
- Supporting the caregivers/guardians of the children of incarcerated parents
- Offering mentorship programs geared toward college access and success for students with incarcerated parents.
- Providing workforce development opportunities for youth and young adults with incarcerated parents
- Efforts focused on increasing higher education retention and completion rates for individuals in prison and individuals being released from prison, which includes:
- Bridging support during a person’s release from prison to ensure continuity and completion of a person’s higher education journey.
- Leveraging the talent and experience of incarcerated graduates in ongoing higher education in prison programs.
- Creating paid tutoring, mentoring, fellowship, and research opportunities for higher education in prison program alumni.
- Workforce development efforts focused on engaging, educating, and partnering with employers to create job opportunities for systems-impacted individuals.
- Reducing the stigma of hiring systems impacted individuals
- Creating more streamlined and equitable hiring practices that open the door for onboarding systems impacted individuals.
What We’re Looking For
Our vision is to introduce a process that can fill urgent needs for education organizations that are well-aligned with our focus areas. We seek to fund highly impactful initiatives that would not be possible if they needed to wait through a traditional grant decision timeline.
Alignment with focus areas
Lasting organizational sustainability
Measurability of project impact
Spark Grants Evaluation Process
Grant Application is Received
After LOI is submitted the Grant Committee will do an initial assessment.
Reject or Move Forward Decision is Made
Within 6 business days you will be notified if your proposal is moving forward in the process.
Complete Full Application
Proposals that advance will be asked to complete a full application.
Applications Assessed
Full applications will be assessed and a follow up call will be scheduled with those that advance to the finalist stage.
Final Decision Made
You will be notified of the Grant Committee decision within 6 weeks of our call for proposals closing.
Grant Committee
Phil Kim
Chief Executive Officer
Mayra Lombera
Chief Operating Officer
Ryan Erickson-Kulas
Director of Programs and Operations
Miguel Leon
Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives
Kenia Miranda Verdugo
Program Manager, Smart Justice
Past Spark Grant Recipients
Want to Learn More?
Members of the grant committee hosted an informational webinar on the funding cycle, focus areas, and Spark Grants process.