Cleveland VOTES is looking for nonprofits ready to roll up their collective sleeves and do some democracy building work in Greater Cleveland. Applications are open for the Equitable Civic Engagement Fund, which distributes grants to help connect with and empower voting-age residents.
To qualify, an organization has to be based in Ohio and either be a 501c3 or have a fiscal sponsor.
Curious about the grants? Register for a virtual information session on April 22 at noon or April 29 at 5 p.m. Or find more details on the application page.
Applications are due May 9 by 7 p.m.
The Equitable Civic Engagement Fund is one Cleveland VOTES’ longest running programs. “This program has enabled us to not only make direct investments in some of this region’s most remarkable leaders/organizations, but also develop long lasting relationships,” Executive Director Erika Anthony said in announcing this year’s grant applications. In addition to the grants, the grantees are part of a “community of practice” space where they can grow and learn from each other.
Tell me more about the Cleveland VOTES grants
Organizations can apply for different categories of grants with amounts that range from $2,000 up to $8,000.
A smaller grant might help pay for a candidate forum, a pop-up event or to print a voter guide. The goal would be to reach between 175 and 500 people.
One of the larger grants could be used to build up an organization’s capacity or to pay volunteers for larger-scale voter outreach of 1,500 or more voters.
In past years, Cleveland VOTES has distributed grants to organizations such as Greater Cleveland Congregations, The Spot, Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates and Towards Employment.
The grants have supported a wide range of initiatives, including:
• Creating and handing out educational voting materials in languages other than English
• Hosting voter engagement pop-up events
• Organizing civic programming for young people
• Registering voters who were impacted by the justice system
For more information, email Cleveland VOTES at [email protected].
Cleveland VOTES is a community partner of Signal Cleveland.
