Application Information

The application process begins on the Open Date indicated below. A full Project Proposal must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on the Deadline Date. Applicants will be notified whether or not their project has been funded by the Award Date:

	Cycle One	Cycle Two
Open Date:	March 2, 2026	November 2, 2026
Deadline Date:	April 15, 2026	December 1, 2026
Award Date:	May 1, 2026	December 15, 2026

• Acknowledgement: Your organization will receive acknowledgement of receipt of your application within approximately 30 days of the Open Date.
• Review: A NWF Do Good Grant Application Review Committee will review all grant applications and supporting documentation. Finalists will be identified and contacted, during which time additional information may be requested and/or site visits may occur. A site visit will be approximately one hour.
• Award: Applying organizations will be notified by the Award Date if their project proposal will/will not be funded.

• Project Proposals must support the NWF mission in new and creative ways. Specifically, we seek to support projects that develop new pathways for mental health protection and food insecurity that are sustainable and designed to have a lasting impact.
• Project Proposal organizations must be, or be affiliated with, a non-profit or public charity that will serve as the administering organization. Examples include non-profit agencies, public colleges, K12 schools and districts, community support centers, as well as other non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. Documentation of current non-profit status is required.
• NWF does not award Do Good Grants directly to individuals.
• Project Proposals including indirect costs will not be accepted (e.g., needs assessments, program evaluations, conferences, scholarships, capital projects, travel, capital construction, etc.).
• Project Proposals for additional funding for previously existing programs will not be accepted.
• NWF reserves the right to reject any Do Good Grant application for any reason, including a missed deadline or incomplete information.
• Contact with NWF, its Executive Board or Board of Advisors regarding your submitted grant application is strongly discouraged and could be considered as disqualifying.
• Project Proposals with budgets up to $10,000 to be spent within three years will be considered.

The NWF Do Good Grants Program will utilize a review process for all eligible submissions. Each proposal will be initially screened by select members of the Board of Advisors and Foundation staff to identify finalists. Finalist applications will be reviewed and selected by the Executive Board. Reviewers are encouraged to consider the following criteria:

1. Connection to NWF Mission and Focus Areas: Reviewers will evaluate whether the proposed intervention supports the Foundation’s mission and/or focus areas.
2. Need for the Project: Reviewers will evaluate the stated need and immediacy for the project in the proposed area.
3. Project Goals and Outcomes: Reviewers will consider specific project goals and project desired outcomes.
4. Project Design: Reviewers will evaluate the overall quality, clarity and feasibility of project design and its alignment with the proposed goals and outcomes. Reviewers will also evaluate sustainability and potential long-term impact of proposed project.
5. Budget and Timeline: Reviewers will evaluate the adequacy of the project budget and timeline.
6. Project Team: Reviewers will consider the project team, its experience and its ability to complete the project as described.

Awarded projects/programs will be required to submit mid-year and annual reports describing the use of NWF granted funds and measurable progress towards stated goals and objectives. NWF reserves the right to conduct site visit(s) during project/program periods and at key timeline milestones for the evaluation and promotion of NWF impacts.

The acceptance of NWF Do Good Grant funds through the NWF Do Good Grant Application Process indicates the sponsoring organizations consent to include information, including photos, videos and testimonials, about the program/project on the NWF website and in NWF print and electronic media. To the extent that individual releases are required for photo and video , the sponsoring organization agrees to make its best efforts to acquire such release on behalf of NWF in a form prescribed by NWF.

Applications for a NWF Do Good Grant must be received per the Do Good Grant Application Process described herein. Applicants are required to complete the NWF Project Do Good Grant Application at the bottom of this page. Doing so will improve the quality of the review process for you and NWF. Additional contact with NWF, its Executive Board or Board of Advisors regarding your submitted Do Good Grant application is strongly discouraged and could be considered as disqualifying.

Who can apply?

Anyone representing a nonprofit organization or public charity operating within the continental United States of America and serving communities in Greater Cincinnati, Baton Rouge, and/or Athens (OH) is eligible to apply.

What are the rules for applying?

We ask that you fill out the application completely to the best of your ability based on the needs of your organization. To ensure a fair process, we ask that you do not reach out to any member of the foundation team for guidance and suggestions.

What supporting documentation is needed to apply?

All 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations must provide a valid EIN, a copy of your organization’s official notice of tax-exempt status from the IRS and a copy of your organization’s current Board of Directors list with their application. All governmental institutions must provide proof of affiliation from state or local officials and a staff or city/county board list with their application.

How many applications will be accepted?

The foundation has a specific budget in mind for each application cycle. Funds will be awarded and distributed based on that budget.