MRG’s General Fund Grants comprise our primary grantmaking program. We also have a Responsive Grants program that includes Critical Response, Travel and Micro grants.
To be eligible for an MRG grant, an applicant must:
- Be organizations – MRG does not fund scholarships or projects by individuals.
- Work primarily in Oregon and be based in Oregon – MRG does not fund groups headquartered out of state, even if they’re working in Oregon.
- Have an annual organizational budget less than $500,000
MRG’s next open grant cycle will be Fall, 2019. Applications for the fall will be made available in the summer. Contact Grants Director Violeta Rubiani for further information: email or call 503-289-1517.
You don’t have to have federal 501(c)(3) tax status to apply:
Groups without a 501(c)(3) exemption or fiscal sponsor are still eligible for Critical Response Grants, Travel Grants, and a 6-month General Fund Grant, as long as your work meets IRS requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations. We do not fund groups that are incorporated as a business, personal hobby organization, or a mutual benefit corporation.
Expand All | Collapse AllCan I apply for a grant if my organization does not have a 501(c)(3)?
Yes. Groups without a 501(c)(3) exemption or fiscal sponsor are still eligible for Critical Response Grants, Travel Grants, and/or a 6-month General Fund Grant as long as your work meets IRS requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations. We do not fund groups that are incorporated as a business, personal hobby organization, or a mutual benefit corporation.
How does MRG define "based in Oregon"?
Your organization’s office must be located in Oregon, your work must primarily be directed to people in Oregon, and the majority of your board and staff must be located in Oregon.
How does MRG Foundation define dismantling oppression in grassroots organizing?
Institutionalized oppression such as racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism and ableism are the primary tools used to perpetuate injustice. While MRG recognizes the multidimensionality of oppression MRG centers race and asks all applicants, regardless of issue area, to name ways that their organizing work challenges institutional racism.
Will you fund proposals that include lobbying?
Yes. For proposals that include lobbying to be considered:
- Your organization or your fiscal sponsor must have a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption AND have filed the 501(h) election.
- Your application should be for general support.
If a proposal is for a special project, the funds from MRG cannot be earmarked for lobbying and the dollar amount of non-lobbying activities must exceed the funding requested from MRG. Contact grants program staff if your proposal will include lobbying.
How can I get more information and assistance in applying?
MRG’s next General Fund open grant cycle will be Fall, 2019. Applications will be made available in the summer. Contact Grants Director Violeta Rubiani for further information by email or call 503-289-1517.
My group just received a General Fund grant, are we eligible for another General Fund grant?
Not immediately. Groups may apply for one General Fund grant each year. We will fund groups for multiple years in a row, as long as each proposal meets our criteria.
We've never been funded by MRG Foundation before. Are we eligible for a Leadership Grant?
As long as your proposal meets our other criteria and your group’s budget is between $100,000 and $500,000. We look at your most recently completed fiscal year’s actual expenses, the current year’s budgeted expenses, and next year’s budgeted expenses. All three years must be between $100,000 and $500,000.
My group's budget is $510,000. Are we eligible for a grant?
No. MRG Foundation does not fund groups with annual organizational budgets over $500,000.
Are there specific areas MRG Foundation does not fund?
Yes. We do not fund:
- unions or direct labor organizing.
- illegal activities such as actions that might arise from civil disobedience.
- individuals, personal hobby, mutual benefit and for-profit organizations.
- activity that supports or opposes specific political parties and/or candidates.
- lobbying, unless the group meets our specific criteria for lobbying. If your proposal will include lobbying activity, please contact us at grants@mrgf.org for more information.
- work that has already happened or that will be completed before funding would begin.
We also do not fund previously funded groups with overdue grant reports or work that has already happened or that will be completed before funding would begin.