The Change Champions program was launched in 2024 to support organizations working in advocacy, policy, and systems change work to eliminate racial inequity and social injustice. The focus of this grant program is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and is voted upon at least every three years. Currently, the Foundation awards all Change Champions grants to organizations working towards equitable school funding or increasing the diversity of the teacher pipeline.
This program is open to any eligible organizations and will have one grant cycle in 2025. Grant awards will be general operating support. Grants awarded in 2025 will be two-year grants, ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 each. Please note that no new grants will be awarded in 2026 for this grant program.
• All applicants must be 501c3 charitable or fiscally sponsored organizations based and doing work in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and that impact communities in the Greater Philadelphia region
• There are no budget size restrictions for this grant program
• Organizations must be working towards equitable school funding or increasing the diversity of the school teacher pipeline
- All current grantee partners will be invited to submit an LOI. Each LOI will be reviewed and scored, then staff will invite several applications for review and approval by the Board of Directors.
- Each three-year grant award will be $150,000 (payable in annual installments of $70k, $50k, $30k)
- Timeline:
o June 1 – August 15 – Current grantee partners can submit LOIs
o August 15- September 15 – Staff and board committee review LOIs
o September 15 – two to three organizations invited to complete full applications
o October 30 – full applications due
o December board meeting – Board discusses and approves one request
o January 2026 – first installment of grant paid
The Nelson Foundation will consider the following when evaluating applications:
• Application form will become available to all eligible applicants on June 1, 2025
• Deadline for application submission is July 30, 2025
• The Foundation staff and Directors will review applications, with award approvals at the fall board meeting (typically held in September)