Michelson Spark Grants

Our Smart Justice funding cycle will run from November 10th to December 1st. The letter of interest and full application are available for viewing now. LOIs that pass initial grant committee review will be asked to submit a full application.

SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

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 reaching a decision on each application within 15 business days of our call for proposals closing.

Spark Grant Awardees

Click the logo to learn more about the work we have funded.

A community based organization designed to save lives, by reducing violence and assisting in the personal development of high risk individuals, proven offenders, ex-felons, parolees and others who society disregards.

Academic Senate for California Community Colleges

The official voice of California community college faculty in academic and professional matters with a commitment to equity, student learning and student success.

Anti-Recidivism Coalition

Working to end mass incarceration in California.

Believe in Students

The nation’s only non-profit organization focused exclusively on supporting college students’ living expenses.

Better Make Room

Launched by Michelle Obama to inspire every student to take charge of their future by completing an education past high school.

California State University, Channel Islands Foundation

The official foundation supporting the mission of California State University Channel Islands. .

California State University Long Beach

California State University, Long Beach

Enriching students' lives through globally informed, high-impact educational experiences.

The Campaign for College Opportunity

Works to ensure that all eligible and motivated students in California have an opportunity to go to college and succeed.

The Common Application

An undergraduate college admission application that streamlines applications to 800+ member colleges and universities.

(click to view site)

Compton College

A welcoming and inclusive community where diverse students are supported to pursue and attain success.

The Education Trust-West

Advocates for educational justice and high academic achievement of all CA students, particularly those of color and living in poverty.

A nonprofit dedicated to creating social and economic opportunity by connecting low-income families to affordable internet service and computers, and delivering digital skills trainings.

The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program

Provides career support to formerly incarcerated firefighters and those currently incarcerated in California’s Conservation Camps who are interested in careers in the Wildland and Forestry sector.

Foundation for California Community Colleges

The official foundation supporting the Board of Governors, Chancellor's Office, and the entire California Community College system.

Hildreth Institute

Conducts research to develop and promote policy solutions that address the college affordability crisis.

The Hope Center for College, Community and Justice

Redefining what it means to be a student-ready college, with a national movement centering #RealCollege students’ basic needs.

An innovation and research center advancing new ideas and solutions for justice reform.

The Institute for College Access and Success

The Institute for College Access and Success

Advancing student-centered public policies that promote affordability, accountability, and equity in higher education..

A global nonprofit that inspires and convenes educators to embrace an ecosystem of learning fueled by collaboration and sharing.

John Burton Advocates for Youth

John Burton Advocates for Youth

Engaging institutions to work together, share best practices, and advocate for policies that support foster youth in higher education.

An inclusive and collaborative regional broadband consortium employing a community-driven process to assess and close the broadband gaps that exist in communities across the LA region.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Office of Open Learning

Transforming teaching and learning at MIT and around the globe through the innovative use of digital technologies.

At the forefront of the movement to ensure that children and families in low-income communities have the digital resources they need to thrive and realize their full potential in their communities.

Public Policy Institute of California

Informing and improving public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research.

Rand Corporation

A nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision making through research and analysis.

A legal advocacy center focused on ending the harm caused by mass incarceration and the war on drugs.

Southern California College Access Network

Southern California College Access Network

Increasing the rate at which underrepresented students access and complete post-secondary education.

A member organization working to democratize access to knowledge through enabling the open sharing of research outputs and educational materials.

Swipe Out Hunger

A leading nonprofit addressing hunger among college students.

(click to view site)

A nonprofit organization ensuring that all young people have the financial information and resources necessary to find an affordable path to and through college.

Enabling incarcerated individuals to earn a bachelors degree.

A global leader in education and scholarship with 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students studying communication, journalism, public diplomacy, and public relations.

An independent, non-partisan group that stands up to powerful interests in support of consumers.

Vera Institute of Justice

Works to build and improve justice systems that ensure fairness, promote safety, and strengthen communities.

A higher education program that gives students the rare and powerful opportunity to write for a real audience.

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.

R

Alignment with focus areas

R

Lasting organizational sustainability

R

Measurability of project impact

Grant Evaluation Criteria

Baseline Grant Criteria

Grant ask is up to $25,000.
We welcome proposals where Michelson Spark Grant funds are part of a larger overall project with multiple funding streams.
For this cycle 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.
Preference will be given to grants that cover a specific self-contained milestone focus including inflection points, things that may open up a new foothold with a partner (i.e. enabling a new partnership with a market leader), or a new proof of concept.
For this funding cycle we will not be funding general operating expenses such as rent, utilities, server costs, etc.

Smart Justice Funding Cycle Focus Areas:

Expanding access to professional development opportunities for staff, faculty, and administrators on college campuses to provide them with the tools and resources needed to successfully work with formerly incarcerated students
Elevating the voices of justice-impacted student leaders so they can play a role in educating policymakers on the measures needed to support this student population
Research on best practices for higher education institutions to retain and provide support to formerly incarcerated students during this time of declining enrollments nationwide
Supporting soon-to-be released or recently released individuals with reentry services including:
- - transitional housing
  - employment
  - college transfer support for students who are enrolled in a postsecondary educational program while in prison.

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 15 business days of our call for proposals closing.

Grant Committee

Phil Kim

Phil Kim

Chief Executive Officer

Mayra Lombera

Mayra Lombera

Chief Operating Officer

Ryan Erickson-Kulas

Ryan Erickson-Kulas

Programs Director

Danny Murillo

Danny Murillo

Smart Justice Fellow

Want to Learn More?

We hosted a webinar on November 3rd to provide an overview of the Spark Grant program. It highlighted past awardees and also provided updates regarding our Smart Justice round.

WATCH THE RECORDING