Impact100 Essex Grants

For the 2026-27 grant year, we will focus all giving efforts on our Impact Grant.

IMPACT GRANT

An initiative-based grant* of $100,000 awarded to one organization yearly for a transformational project or program addressing the needs of underserved communities in Essex County. For more information on Impact Grants, click here.

*Attention returning applicants: This is a departure from previous years when only project-based applications were eligible. The Impact Grant now accepts applications for both projects or programs (known as “initiatives”) that allow a nonprofit to take a transformational step forward.

EQUITY GRANTS

(on hold for 2026-27)

Mission-based, unrestricted grants ranging from $10,000 - $20,000 awarded to local nonprofits led by Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC). For more information on Equity Grants, click here.

Note: Organizations may apply for both the Equity Grants and the Impact Grant. However, if your organization is awarded an Equity Grant, your organization is no longer eligible for an Impact Grant during the same grant cycle.

IMPACT GRANT

We are looking for initiatives that are:

  • Innovating, expanding, or continuing your current work, leading to a measurable outcome.

  • Empowering, addressing under-met needs and an underserved constituency.

  • Strategic. Why this approach? Why will it be effective?

  • Timely. How is this initiative responding to current needs?

  • Spending the grant within two years, and evidence that all funding needs will be fully met.

Applicants Must:

  • Operate and deliver services within Essex County, NJ

  • Be a registered 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor/parent

  • Have been in operation for at least 3 years

  • Have annual operating revenues of at least $175,000 and no more than $3,000,000

  • Provide Form 990 or 990-EZ for the past two (2) consecutive years, or finalized financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow) for the past three (3) years.

  • If your organization is unable to provide Form 990s, submit finalized financial statements certified by an:

    • Officer in your organization, if your revenue is less than $1 million

    • Independent accountant, if your annual revenue is greater than $1 million

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We do NOT fund

  • Lobbying, partisan or religious activities

  • Debt reduction, interim or bridge funding, retroactive funding

  • Endowments, scholarships or fundraising

  • Re-granting or grants to individuals

  • General operating expenses or overhead beyond allowable 20% of proposed project’s budget

Read about past grant recipients for examples

How to apply for an Impact Grant:

 
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1.

Create a free account with Submittable, if you do not already have one. If you need assistance getting started, click on this link.

2.

The process and dates for the 2026-27 Impact Grant cycle will be published soon, with the timeline starting in late 2026.

For reference in the meantime, you can review these resources for applicants from the 2025-26 grant cycle:

Link for application will go live in late 2026

2026-27 Impact Grant (IG) Timeline

Details coming soon!

Winter 2026: Applications Open
Spring 2027: IG Site Visits, Annual Meeting, and Finalists Vote by Impact100 Essex Membership
Late Spring 2027: IG Grantee Announced

 EQUITY GRANTS

 What we are looking for:

BIPOC-led organizations that are:

  • Managed by Board and executive staff at least 50% BIPOC.

  • Connected to their communities, particularly communities of color.

  • Delivering services within Essex County, NJ.

  • Are 501 (c)(3) or have a fiscal sponsor who is one.

  • Have operated for at least two years.

  • Have an annual operating budget of no more than $500,000.

 

Our Equity Grants:

  • Recognize BIPOC-led nonprofits are disproportionately underfunded compared to their White-led counterparts and colleagues.

  • Highlight organizations that engage with — and seek input from — the constituents they work with and serve.

  • Offer funding to smaller, community-based organizations best situated to advocate for and understand communities of color.

  • Provide unrestricted funding to support the growth of smaller nonprofit organizations.

We do NOT fund:

  • Lobbying, partisan or religious activities

  • Debt reduction, interim or bridge funding, retroactive funding

  • Endowments, scholarships or fundraising

  • Re-granting or grants to individuals

 Read about our past recipients here.

 How to apply for an Equity Grant:

 
 

Equity Grants are on pause for the 2026-27 giving year.

Any questions?

For Impact Grant: grants@impact100essex.org

For Equity Grants: grants.eg@impact100essex.org