Michelson Spark Grants
Our Smart Justice funding round closed on August 3rd. We will be launching another round in October focused on the issues of college affordability and student basic needs. To stay updated on awardees from the last round and news regarding future rounds sign up for our Spark Grant email list via the form below.
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 Key Target Outcomes. 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 and awarded on a rolling basis.
Eligibility
The Spark Grant program is available to non-profit institutions doing work in the United States.
Velocity
We are committed to reaching a decision on each application within 15 business days.
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 Key Target Outcomes. 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 key target outcomes
Long-term organization sustainability
Measurability of project impact
Grant Evaluation Criteria
Baseline Grant Criteria
Grant ask is up to $25,000
Preference will be given to grants that cover a specific self-contained milestone focus such as inflection points, things that may open up a new foothold with a partner (i.e. enabling a new partnership with a market leader), new proof of concept.
Examples of funding restrictions: general operating expenses (rent, utilities, server costs, etc.), general working capital.
Smart Justice Round Key Target Outcomes:
Increase access to alternatives to face-to-face high-quality educational programming in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic for individuals who are incarcerated.
Advance the revision and adoption of anti-racism curriculum development across systems of higher education.
Increase adoption of high quality, low cost instructional materials, including open educational resources, for educational programs based in correctional facilities.
Increase access to wraparound reentry support services for individuals reentering the community that establish innovative pathways to higher education and/or career technical training.
Strengthen higher education success for system-impacted students through campus organizations that liaise with campus services and advocate for formerly incarcerated students.
Increase system-impacted individuals economic mobility through workforce programming that leads to high growth, high wage careers.
Advance public policy solutions around higher education and workforce development that leverage federal, state, county, or city level systems change for system-impacted populations.
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 within a 72 hour period.
Applications Assessed
Full applications will be assessed and a follow up call will be scheduled with those that advance to the finalist stage.
Applicants who do not respond within 48 hours to our request to schedule a finalist call will be determined ineligible for a Spark Grant
Final Decision Made
You will be notified of the Grant Committee decision within 15 business days of your LOI submission date.
Grant Committee
Phil Kim
President
Mayra Lombera
Vice President of Programs and Operations
Ryan Erickson-Kulas
Program Officer
Emily Blake
Program Officer
Sign Up For Notifications
Want to Learn More?
Download the slide deck or watch this 70 minute webinar from our Smart Justice round to learn more about the Michelson Spark Grant program.