Grantees of the California Environmental Grassroots Fund (Grassroots Fund) and the Pacific Northwest Grassroots Fund are encouraged to increase their effectiveness by expanding their organizational and administrative skills through a capacity-building mini-grant. Please review the following information before applying.
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About the Mini-Grant
The Grassroots Funds’ Grow Your Roots Mini-Grant provides money to help Grassroots Fund grantees attend trainings, hire consultants, and purchase materials to develop organizational and administrative skills such as fundraising, bookkeeping, communications, board development, personnel management, computer skills, and IRS 501(c)(3) issues like lobbying. Mini-Grants can also be used to purchase software and equipment or attend trainings that will help strengthen their group’s back office capacity, or support the professional development of staff and volunteers.
A Mini-Grant may support any of the following:
- Attend an in-person or online training
- Hire a consultant
- Purchase software or office equipment
- Books such as Writing to Make a Difference by Dalya Massachi
- Online directory subscriptions such as Foundation Center
- …And much more! Explore our Resources Page to find capacity building resources for your organization.
All grant recipients of the California Environmental Grassroots Fund and the Pacific Northwest Grassroots Fund within the past four years are eligible to receive up to $500 in mini-grants per year. We believe that boosting your group’s “back office” capacity will help you achieve greater success in all of your program work.
In addition to the mini-grant itself, those traveling more than 75 miles round trip to attend a training can receive a modest travel stipend. A grantee can send more than one person to a training, or purchase multiple resources, software and equipment with their mini-grant, but the most that will be awarded to any one group is $500 per year, not including travel reimbursements. Being awarded a mini-grant does not change your group’s eligibility for regular grants from the Grassroots Fund.
We hope that you will be able to take advantage of the mini-grant program. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. And, please give us feedback about how well the mini-grant works, or does not work, for you. Telling us about your experiences will help us improve the mini-grant program to make it better for everyone.
Check Eligibility for the Mini-Grant
Click here to review eligibility for the mini-grant.
Deadlines for Mini-Grants
There is no deadline, but if you are applying to attend a training or webinar, we must receive your application 14 days prior to the event’s date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before applying for a mini-grant, please read these Frequently Asked Questions which explains deadlines, what types of trainings are in-bounds, who is eligible for a travel reimbursement, and more.
Training Resources
When applying for a mini-grant, you can use this list of training providers as a resource. There are options for workshops in nonprofit management, fundraising assistance and much more. Mini-grants are not limited to this list of providers. Check for classes at your local community colleges and adult education schools.
Complete the Mini-Grant Application
To fill out a web form, click here. If you are unfamiliar with our online system, contact us for assistance. If you need the application in a different format, please contact us.
What Happens Next?
The Rose Foundation will send a check made out to the grantee organization (or fiscal sponsor) in 3 weeks or less. This check will include travel reimbursements if applicable.
You are responsible for enrolling in the training with the training provider directly (don’t send any training registration forms to us).
