Funding Priorities

Although the Ben & Jerry's Foundation doesn't prioritize any particular issue area for funding, we do focus on the types of activities and strategies an organization uses for creating social change in any number of areas. The Foundation will only consider proposals from grassroots, constituent-led organizations that are organizing for systemic social change. We support programs and projects that are examples of creative problem-solving.

Grant applicants need to demonstrate that their projects will:

• lead to societal, institutional and/or environmental change;
• address the root causes of social or environmental problems; and
• lead to new ways of thinking and acting.
  
  

  Projects must:

• help ameliorate an unjust or destructive situation by empowering constituents;
• facilitate leadership development and strengthen the self-empowerment efforts of those who have traditionally been disenfranchised in our society; and
• support movement building and collective action.
  
  

  Applicants should:

• develop a plan for long-term viability;
• articulate a clear analysis of the underlying causes of the problem; and
• outline specific goals and strategies of their organizing campaign or program.

What do we mean by the term "grassroots organizing?"

Grassroots Organizing implies activism from the ground up as opposed to top down decision making. Local, constituent-based and disenfranchised are words that often describe the leadership and membership of grassroots organizations. Specifically, we look for groups who are working to help themselves, help their own communities, and help others like themselves through self-empowering, community organizing efforts.

What do we mean by the term "social change" and how does it compare to "social service?"

Social change addresses the root causes of problems; social service addresses the consequences of those problems. Social change addresses whole communities, systems and institutions; social service aids and assists individuals. The Ben & Jerry's Foundation does not offer grants to support social service programs.

Generally we fund organizations with budgets under $250,000. We only distribute funds to organizations with 501(c)3 status, or who have a sponsoring agency with this status.

Please see the Grants Recipients List for recent examples of organizations we've funded.

The Ben & Jerry's Foundation does not fund:

• discretionary or emergency requests
• colleges or universities
• individuals or scholarship programs
• research projects
• capital campaigns
• state agencies
• religious programs
• international or foreign-based programs
• social service programs

Resources for Global Sustainability
PO Box 22770, Rochester, NY 14692.
(800) 724-1857. Fax (716) 473-0968.
RGS has a comprehensive resource directory of environmental funders.

The Foundation Center
800-424-9836
fdncenter.org
Contact them to identify a library near you which carries a collection of funding resources.

• State & local libraries have many resources including The Foundation Directory and state funding directories. Look for state community foundations and non-profit technical assistance programs.

• Many universities and colleges have an on-line foundation search data base.

• Other like-minded non-profit groups may have knowledge of potential funding sources. Find networking avenues such as conferences and workshops.