Need Help Deciding Which Grant Category to Apply For?

North Star Fund’s grant categories are designed as a ladder, to partner with grassroots groups at many stages of development. The two grant categories outside the ladder (Innovative Activism and Rapid Response) fund the ecosystem that supports grassroots organizing groups.

View or download a larger version of this image here

Read through the questions below to help you decide which grant category to apply for.

If you already know what category you would like to apply for, please visit the grant category page for that category before starting your application, as there may be small changes this cycle.

Question 1: Are you working in New York City or the Hudson Valley?

We define the Hudson Valley as Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Columbia, Greene, Delaware, Rensselaer, Albany and Schoharie counties. Grantees must be located within at least one of these counties, but do not need to work in all the listed counties. Local chapters of statewide or national organizations may apply.

A: New York City

If you are working in the five boroughs of New York City, review the questions below.

B: Hudson Valley

If you are working in the Hudson Valley, review the criteria for our Hudson Valley Momentum grants (not currently open).

Question 2: Are you doing community organizing, or does your work support the ecosystem of community organizing groups?

Review our community organizing criteria to determine if your work is a fit.

A: Community Organizing

If you are doing community organizing, review the questions below.

B: Supporting the ecosystem

If you are not doing community organizing, review the criteria for our Innovative Activism grants (not currently open).

Question 3: Is your organization a “start-up” (i.e. founded in the last 6 years)?

A: 6 years old or less

If you are less than 6 years old and your budget is under $350,000, review the criteria for our Catalyst grants.

B: More than 6 years old

If you are more than 6 years old, or your budget is over $350,000 but less than $800,000, review the criteria for our Grassroots Action grants.

Question 4: Are you a current North Star Fund grant recipient?

Review the criteria for our Special Initiative grants – such as our Let Us Breathe Fund grants or Giving Project grants – to see if there are additional funding opportunities available to you.

Please note:

  • We are not currently accepting applications for our Movement Leadership or Power Together grants.
  • If you apply for one category, and we believe your work falls into another category, your application may be moved by program staff.

Still have questions?

If you are in NYC, reach out to our NYC Program Officer Catherine Eusebio at catherine@northstarfund.org.

If you are in the Hudson Valley, email Hudson Valley Program Director Mayra Hidalgo Salazar at mayra@northstarfund.org.