Rapid Response
Projects responding to an unanticipated and urgent threat or need in the community and resulting in concrete impact within a six-month time period. The applicant and the rapid response project should be aligned with the Foundation’s grant making approach and priorities.
Rapid Response Projects could encompass: Grassroots organizing, non-violent direct action, mutual aid, organizational capacity, communications/narrative, legal/litigation, etc.
Grand Victoria Foundation will not provide rapid response funding for the following:
- Individuals
- Political Campaigns
- Religious Purposes
- Governmental Entities
- Capital Improvements
- Fundraising Events
- Budget Shortfalls
Rapid Response Funds are not meant to cover the costs for existing admin, programs, and personnel costs due to a budget shortfall.
General Information
- Grant awards are up to $25,000.
- Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Awarded grants will have a six-month grant term.
- If awarded, organizations cannot apply again until 12 months after the award date.
- If grant application is approved, grant funds will be processed approximately 30 days from application receipt.
- Within 30 days after the end of the grant term, organizations will provide a verbal report by phone or video.
- Priority will be given to organizations with budgets under $1 million.
- Rapid response grants are not intended to provide general operating support.
Guidelines and Eligibility
Guidelines
- Timely and Urgent: The organization must be responding to an unanticipated event or urgent external or internal challenge. We define “urgent” as a need or challenge that requires critical support and that can be addressed by activities that start and end within a six-month timeframe.
- Purpose and Scope: The request should demonstrate how funds will help address the challenge or need.
- Geographic Focus: The request should support efforts that have impact at the county, regional or statewide level. We do not support organizations that solely serve or impact the city of Chicago unless the Foundation is uniquely able to support an effort other local funders cannot.
Eligibility
- To be considered for funding, an organization must be registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity or be partnered with a fiscal sponsor that meets this requirement.
- We fund organizations throughout the state of Illinois. Funding requests should support Illinois-based organizations or an organization’s Illinois-based activities.
- We will consider applications from both current grantees and new applicants. Priority will be given to organizations or requests that advance racial equity and justice by addressing systemic barriers and promoting inclusive, community-led solutions.
- If the organization is a current grantee, please consult with your program officer before submitting a rapid response application. The request must also fall outside of the organization’s existing scope of work.
How to Apply
If you would like to apply for rapid response grant funding, please:
- 1.) Review the guidelines, eligibility information, and funding priorities.
- 2.) read our Frequently Asked Questions about the grant program; and
- 3.) visit our Grant Portal to complete the application.
Please create an account or login using your existing username and password. In the grant application, organizations will be asked to describe what it proposes to do with the funds and what challenges it is addressing, what it intends to accomplish if awarded funding, how the request or organization is advancing racial equity or justice, and how the request or organization is advancing systems change.
To save time and effort, we encourage applicants to reach out with any questions about eligibility or application to ensure your request aligns with the grants. Please contact the email provided below
For more information contact:
[email protected]
