1. Confirm Your Eligibility.  

Verify that your organization meets all core eligibility requirements before beginning your process.

​

2. Review the Applicant Guide & Program Funding Areas Guide

Begin your process by reviewing the newly adopted applicant guide and program funding areas guide for new and renewing applicants.  The guide will provide insight into our process, timelines, and selection criteria. Identify the fund that aligns most with your work and goals. Organizations can apply to only one fund per twelve-month period.

​​

3. Register to Attend the Oakland Area Information Session on May 22nd 

Consider attending the Oakland Area Information Session to be held via zoom on  

May 22, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. PT.  Register by clicking on the Oakland Area Info Session Registration Link.  

​

4. Submit a Letter of Introduction - Oakland Area Open Call

Submit a Letter of Introduction (LOI).  The Oakland open call will be released on May 12, 2026. Oakland applicants must submit their LOI through our online grants portal, accessible via this website. Chicago-based organizations applying by invitation will receive a dedicated portal link as part of their invitation communication.

​

5. Submit a Full Proposal - Oakland & Chicago Area (By Invitation Only)

If your LOI is advanced, you will receive an invitation to submit a full proposal. Organization's with a prior funding history in Oakland or Chicago may be invited to bypass the LOI process and submit an application for funding consideration utilizing our new process, framework and program funding areas.  

​

​