Category Archives: Spirituality

Ravi & Naina Patel Foundation

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The Ravi & Naina Patel Foundation is working to help every human being achieve the happiness that is their birthright. They provide grants to nonprofit organizations around the world that align with their five core pillars and build strategic partnerships to make an even bigger impact.

Grant inquiries as well as your organization’s Form 990 should be sent to amar@rnpfoundation.org.

Five Core Pillars

Homelessness

The Foundation is seeking programs that take different approach to the problem of homelessness. This includes both providing short term services and long term affordable housing solutions.

Education

The Foundation believes in the power of education and supports organizations that help youth learn to be confident and lead joyful lives, as well as reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Environment

A healthy Earth to live on is foundational to all the other core pillars. To address the impacts of environmental destruction, the Foundation supports organizations that are designing innovative solutions and championing environmentally sound policies.

Nutrition

A nutritious diet can feed the body, mind, and spirit, but many people don’t have access to or knowledge of healthy food. The Foundation supports projects that are working to overcome food inequities, provide education, and promote more environmentally friendly farming.

Spirituality

The Patel family believes that spirituality is the true path to happiness and supports organizations that promote mindfulness and meditation.

Khyentse Foundation Trisong Grant

The Khyentse Foundation was founded in 2001 to support Buddhist study and practice in all traditions. Although headquartered in San Francisco, CA they have assisted people and organizations in more than 30 countries.

The Trisong Grant funds programs that use Buddhist wisdom as a foundation for promoting mental health and well being. Programs do not have to be explicitly Buddhist in nature but they must use traditional practices and views in creative ways.

Applications are accepted each year from March 1-31 and September 1-30. Most awards are around $5,000 but larger amounts may be available based on the scope and need of the proposal.

Eligibility

The Khyentse Foundation does not limit who may apply. According to their website, they have accepted applications from, “Buddhist teachers, students, scholars, translators, practitioners, and retreatants, following all traditions, and from all parts of the world.”

They also note on the Trisong Grant page that the majority of applications are from Buddhist practitioners and groups, implying that this is common but not required.

Example Programs

Applicants are encouraged to take an innovative approach to bringing Buddhist teachings and practices into the field of mental health. Potential programs include:

  • Using Buddhist concepts to help people with substance misuse disorder
  • Visiting schools and talking to students about managing their emotions
  • Offering a group meditation program to incarcerated individuals
  • A depression and anxiety support group based in Buddhist concepts
  • A family-based meditation program

We Raise Foundation Emerging Leader Grants

The We Raise Foundation supports Christian nonprofits in the United States working to free people from poverty, violence, and inequality. Their Emerging Leader Grants invest in new leaders of these organizations to allow new and innovative programs to grow.

Proposals are due annually on February 15th and September 30th. Awards are $15,000 over two years.

Eligibility

Organization

This grant is open to Christian 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations:

  • Who work at the intersection of poverty, violence, and inequality
  • Who predominately serve people of color
  • With programs taking a new and innovative approach
  • With a program that is less than three years old or has been significantly expanded or modified

Leader

Nominated Emerging Leaders must:

  • Be 20-35 years old
  • Be deeply engaged in the community
  • Be a clear communicator
  • Be visionary and think strategically
  • Be persistent
  • Inspire and influence others
  • Develop trust with their team
  • Have a calling rooted in their faith in Christ

Allowable Expenses

The $15,000 is intended to be split between programming ($10,000) and leadership development activities for the emerging leader ($5,000).

Grant funds may be spent on:

  • Capital expenses
  • Overhead
  • Salaries
  • Benefits
  • Contracted services
  • Supplies
  • Equipment
  • Travel
  • Marketing
  • Evaluation

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • Fundraising campaigns
  • Event sponsorships
  • Planning activities
  • Advocacy and public policy work

Versacare Foundation Grants

The Versacare Foundation supports programs that fit with their mission and that of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Priority is give to organizations working in the geographic regions where the Church has a presence.

They provide funding through three grant programs:

Impact Grants are by invitation only. Interested applicants must submit a Concept Note by October 31st to be considered. If invited, the final application will be due by December 31st. Catalyst and Venture Grant applications are also due by the end of the calendar year.

Eligibility

This grant is open to faith-based organizations and other 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. Priority will be given to organizations located or operating in:

  • North America
  • Central America
  • Caribbean Islands
  • Colombia
  • Venezuela
  • Micronesia

Applicants must also have been in continuous operation for at least two years prior to the application due date.

Grant Programs

  • Catalyst Grants are intended to give organizations and programs a financial boost when needed. This is also the most appropriate grant for schools.
  • Venture Grants are for financially stable programs with clearly stated goals and objectives as well as mechanisms for objectively assessing results.
  • Impact Grants are for creative programs with a proven track record of success and outside partners.

Project Priorities

Photo by Yan Krukau: https://www.pexels.com/photo/children-sitting-on-chairs-in-front-of-table-with-art-materials-8613059/

Versacare is particularly interested in supporting programs that address:

  • Church community engagement
  • Disadvantaged or underserved communities
  • Youth and young adults
  • Women and children’s efforts
  • Social justice
  • Humanitarian efforts
  • Health and wellness
  • General education and science education

John C. Lasko Foundation Trust 

The John C. Lasko Foundation Trust, which is managed through Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions, provides funds to help churches build worship space.

Phase 1 of the application is due by September 30, 2023. All applicants will be notified in October if they have been invited to submit a Phase 2 full application. Final proposals must be submitted as a hard copy by November 30, 2023. Applicants will be expected to provide at least 50% of the total project costs.

Eligibility  

Applicant churches must be tax exempt and be able to verify their status by providing:

  • Their IRS determination letter, or
  • A group exemption ruling by their convention or denomination, or
  • An opinion from their counsel

Eligible applicants must also own the property on which construction will take place.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

  • New construction
  • Renovations
  • Expansion of existing structures

However, grant funding is limited to worship space, i.e. the sanctuary. Kitchens, classrooms, fellowship halls, and baptistries do not qualify.

The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations

Since 1952, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations have awarded over $300 million in grants to more than 3,800 organizations in the United States. They give in five different program areas, two of which – Interfaith Leadership and Religious Literacy and Private Higher Education – accept funding requests.

Letters of Intent are due by 5:00 PM ET on August 25, 2023. Invitations to submit a full proposal will be issued on October 6 and full proposals will be due November 9. Funding is typically for a 1-2 year time period, but longer grant periods may also be approved.

Eligibility

This grant is open to

  • 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
  • Institutions of higher education

Allowable Expenses

Funding is generally for specific projects and not general operating support. Grant money may not be used for:

  • Scholarships
  • Endowments
  • Direct service
  • Capital projects
  • Indirect costs more than 5% of request

Program Areas

Interfaith Leadership and Religious Literacy

Image by Ihsan Aditya

The United States is one of the most religiously diverse countries in history, which can be seen as a challenge or an opportunity. This program area funds projects that promote religious literacy as well as conversations and collaborations across different faiths. Awards are typically $100,000-$300,000, but there is no cap on requests.

Applicants may submit proposals for any project that advances these goals. However, they are particularly interested in the following topic areas.

Interfaith Leadership and Religious Literacy on Faith-Based Campuses

Projects under this topic should focus on increasing religious literacy, which the Harvard Divinity School defines as:

  1. A basic understanding of the history, central texts (where applicable), beliefs, practices, and contemporary manifestations of several of the world’s religious traditions as they arose out of and continue to be shaped by particular social, historical, and cultural contexts. 
  2. The ability to discern and explore the religious dimensions of political, social and cultural expressions across time and place.  

They should also encourage interfaith engagement with the goal of producing future leaders who pursue such partnerships during their careers.

Collaborations between Campus Student Groups

Partisanship and polarization are an unfortunate fact of life in the United States. The college years are among the most important for learning about other points of view, because students are naturally surrounded by a diverse group of people. Projects under this topic should promote bringing diverse members of the student population to engage with and learn from each other.

Religious Inter-Group Dialogue on Campus

Projects under this topic should bring students of different and/or no religious affiliations together for moderated, face-to-face dialogues. These can be curricular or extracurricular.

 Private Higher Education

Image by Jatinder Jeetu

Arthur Davis’s time at Amherst College taught him the importance of a liberal arts education. The breadth of his learning there helped him succeed in many different roles in life and to support organizations that make a liberal arts education possible for more students. Awards are typically $25,000-$300,000, but there is no cap on requests.

Applicants may submit proposals for any project that advances these goals. However, they are particularly interested in the following topic areas.

Advocacy for the Liberal Arts

The PVD Foundations welcome projects that present opportunities for more students to participate in the liberal arts, regardless of their major. They also encourage programs for educating on the benefits of the liberal arts.

Civil Discourse on Campus

Projects under this topic should create opportunities for respectful conversations across social, political, and religious groups. These can be curricular or extracurricular.

Purpose-Oriented Education

Projects under this topic should develop programs and courses that help students develop a sense of purpose. This purpose may be related to their future job, but can also focus on social roles, such as their place in the community.

The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism

The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism was founded to promote an approach to Buddhism that combines Eastern wisdom with the unique culture of the United States.

Since 2003, they have awarded grants to nonprofit organizations who align with that mission. The theme for the 2024 grant cycle is Women Leaders in Buddhism and will close September 30, 2023. Awards generally range from $2,500 – $25,000.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations for programs in the United States.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

  • General operating support
  • Program specific costs

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • Capital projects such as purchasing property, construction, or remodeling
  • Film projects

Theme

“When women come into their full power, a balance will occur which has not been seen for so long that no one remembers it.”

  • Dr. Frederick P. Lenz
https://fredericklenzfoundation.org/our-work/women-in-buddhism/

Recent scholarship has revealed a long history of women Buddhist leaders. This grant will support programs that bring modern women leaders to the forefront and empower all women within the practice of Buddhism.

Application

To apply, email info@fredericklenzfoundation.org with the name of your organization and a short description of your funding request and how it fits with the theme. Approved submissions will receive a link to the full application form.