BackBlack Impact Grant Eligibility & FAQ

Selection Criteria

Four organizations will each receive a $5,000 unrestricted grant. Eligible campaigns will be evaluated through a holistic review across three areas: Creativity and Storytelling, Community Engagement and Outreach, and Campaign Activation and Communication.

Creativity and Storytelling

  • Clear and compelling communication about the organization’s mission, work, and impact

  • Original, mission-aligned visuals, graphics, videos, or written content

  • Creative, authentic, or culturally resonant approaches to campaign storytelling

Community Engagement & Reach

  • Evidence that the organization actively engaged its community throughout the campaign

  • Participation through donations, campaign sharing, comments, volunteering, events, or other forms of support

  • The number and range of donors engaged, considered in the context of the organization’s size and existing reach

Campaign Activation and Communication

  • Consistent and creative campaign promotion

  • Meaningful updates to supporters throughout the campaign

  • Thoughtful use of the communication, fundraising, or engagement tools available to the organization

There is no minimum amount an organization must raise, and the largest campaigns will not automatically receive grants. We will consider each organization’s size, reach, resources, and campaign strategy.

We are looking for authenticity, effort, creativity, and meaningful community participation—not simply large audiences or fundraising totals.

Applications will be reviewed by members of the BackBlack community and partner organizations with experience in fundraising, communications, philanthropy, and nonprofit strategy.

Frequently asked questions

  • The BackBlack Impact Grant supports Black-led nonprofits actively fundraising during Black Philanthropy Month in August 2026.

    Four organizations will each receive a $5,000 unrestricted grant based on their creativity and storytelling, community engagement and outreach, and campaign activation and communication.

    Organizations must be verified in the BackBlack Directory before their Impact Grant submissions can be considered.

  • To be eligible, your organization must:

    • Be verified in the BackBlack Directory

    • Have an active fundraising campaign on any platform during August 2026. Using an official BackBlack partner is encouraged but not required.

    • Complete the BackBlack Impact Grant submission form by August 31, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET

  • BackBlack has official partnerships with the following platforms for Black Philanthropy Month 2026:

    • Every.org

    • DonorDock

    • BetterUnite

    • Mightycause

    • For Good

    • Bonterra

    • Givebutter

    • Zeffy

    • Grapevine

    • Neon One

    • Fundraise Up

    • GlobalGiving

    • Deed

  • BackBlack works with participating platforms to measure how much funding moves to Black-led nonprofits during Black Philanthropy Month.

    This information helps us demonstrate the movement’s collective impact, advocate for greater investment in Black-led organizations, and tell a more complete story about giving to Black-led nonprofits.

    Organizations may submit campaigns hosted on any platform. Using an official BackBlack partner is encouraged but not required.

    Interested in becoming an official platform partner? Email contact@backblackmovement.org to learn more.

  • No. Your campaign may begin before August, but it must remain active and accept donations at some point between August 1 and August 31, 2026.

  • No. Your campaign may support a specific program, project, organizational priority, or general operations.

    It does not need to mention Black Philanthropy Month, but it must be active during August 2026.

  • No. We designed this to be a simple campaign submission—not a traditional grant application.

    Complete the BackBlack Impact Grant form and provide the requested information about your organization and fundraising campaign. No separate proposal or project budget is required.

  • No. There is no fundraising minimum.

    We encourage you to actively share your campaign, engage your community, and tell a compelling story about your organization’s work. Fundraising totals may provide context, but the organizations that raise the most money will not automatically receive grants.

  • Eligible campaigns will be evaluated based on:

    • Creativity and Storytelling

    • Community Engagement and Outreach

    • Campaign Activation and Communication

    This is a merit-based grant-selection process, not a sweepstakes or random drawing. Each organization’s campaign will be considered in the context of its size, reach, resources, and overall strategy.

  • Recipients will be announced by early October 2026.

    Grant funds will be distributed through BackBlack’s fiscal sponsor after selected organizations complete the required eligibility and payment documentation.

  • Yes. Grant recipients will be asked to complete a very brief report describing how the unrestricted funds were used and the impact of the grant. Reporting instructions and the deadline will be provided to selected organizations.

  • No problem! You can submit your organization for inclusion in the BackBlack Directory. Your organization must be verified before applications close on August 31, 2026.

    Please note that verification takes approximately 2–3 business days, so submit your Directory application with enough lead time.