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2025 Grant Application
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LIL’s grant programs are geared towards community-based nonprofit organizations focused on the environment, sustainability, climate resiliency, and/or education.
Important application dates:
Oct. 18, 2024 - Preliminary grant application deadline
Oct. 25, 2024 - Invitation for eligible applicants to fill out a formal grant application
Nov. 15, 2024 - Formal grant application deadline
Dec. 2-6, 2024 - Interviews for top applicants
Dec. 9-13, 2024 - Announcement of selected applicants for 2025 grant programs
Early Jan. 2025 - Onboard 2025 cohort and grant partners
1:1 Advising Services
Tailored advising services geared towards your specific needs and goals.
What can you expect from LIL?
Skill Building
Technical assistance from subject experts, such as strategic planning and financial management.
Peer Learning Opportunities
Webinars and facilitated discussions between organizations and venture capital and business communities.
Resource Library
Open-source library to accelerate growth and sustainability.
In Person Retreats
Connect and learn with fellow organizations and LIL staff.
About LIL’s Grant Programs
LIL is launching three new grant categories beginning in January 2025. LIL offers a diverse range of flexible, unrestricted multiyear grants, depending on the type of program.
All grant partners receive ongoing access to the LIL team for support, resources, and connections. As part of LIL’s growing alumni network, grant partners can continue benefiting from our network and participate in virtual and asynchronous trainings available to alumni.
Based on the needs expressed in the preliminary application, select applicants will be invited to apply for one of LIL’s tailored grant programs. You can learn more about the three program categories below:
18-Month Capacity Building Program
LIL’s flagship program is an 18-month capacity-building initiative designed to increase organizational sustainability through personalized support. Participants work alongside LIL’s in-house consultants to strengthen their organization’s operations and hone their management skills.
Beginning with strategic planning and goal setting, participants receive continuous support and guidance as they solve key management issues aligned with their organization's strategic goals.
Biweekly strategic advising sessions.
Annual in-person retreats (two total).
Virtual peer learning opportunities, including webinars and facilitated discussions.
Unrestricted grants, ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 annually, to support the implementation of insights and strategies developed through participation in LIL.
View a sample program calendar here.
Learn about applicant criteria below!
Quarterly Advising Program
For organizations seeking less intensive engagement, LIL offers an 18-month quarterly advising program.
Quarterly strategic advising sessions.
Virtual peer learning opportunities, including webinars and facilitated discussions.
Unrestricted grants, ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 annually, to support the implementation of insights and strategies developed through participation in LIL.
Financial Support
LIL also provides organizations with direct financial support, while still offering access to LIL’s staff, resources, and extensive network.
Unrestricted grants are provided in the amount of $10,000 annually.
18-Month Capacity Building Program
Applicant Criteria
LIL’s curriculum provides the greatest benefit to organizations that have foundational systems in place and are looking to get to the next level. Through LIL’s 18-month program, participating leaders will develop essential skills and formulate a plan for achieving organizational sustainability.
Each organization is invited to designate two individuals to participate throughout the entire 18-month program. One must hold the position of executive director, while the other should hold a strategic leadership role.
LIL’s flagship program is best fit for those who have the following:
Organizational Profile:
501(c)3 status for at least 3 years.
Located in the U.S., Indigenous Communities within the boundaries of the U.S., or U.S.-affiliated territories.
Annual budget of at least $500k.
Social enterprise component or earned revenue model (preferred).
Clear governance structure and a dedicated leadership team with at least 10 full-time staff members.
Community-oriented mission focused on the environment, sustainability, climate resiliency, and/or education, with preference given to organizations that address social inequity and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion.
Must have a strategic plan (either draft or final form).
Participant Profile:
Early-mid career leader with at least 3 years nonprofit management experience.
Enthusiastic about participating in a rich but time intensive accelerator program.
Interested in networking and building relationships with cohort members and external contacts.
Entrepreneurial, adaptable, and strategic thinker.
Long term roots and/or strong relationships with the community being served.
Able to dedicate 7-10 hours per month for 18 months.
Able to attend and fully participate in two annual 4-5-day in-person retreats in the U.S. (June 2025 & June 2026).
LIL’s Participatory Grantmaking Process
To redistribute decision-making power, LIL will organize an alumni committee made up of previous cohort members. These members will help with reviewing and scoring applications.
LIL staff will review the committee’s recommendations and make the decision about which applicants to select. The board will have the final approval of the LIL staff’s recommendations.
LIL has created a standardized rubric to score applications in order to mitigate bias and ensure every applicant is evaluated fairly.
Do you know an organization that would be a good fit for LIL?
We would love to hear from you!
Please fill out the form below to put new organizations on our radar!