Mini Grants

Request for Proposals will be released in Spring 2023

Vibrant Pittsburgh (VP) and the Urban Affairs Foundation of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh seek to mobilize Greater Pittsburgh’s community groups to create a more diverse and inclusive region through the annual Mini Grants funding initiative.

Proposed initiatives seeking Mini Grants funding should do one or more of the following:

  • Create opportunities for community engagement that result in a more inclusive, multicultural region, where diverse communities are valued, respected, visible and heard;
  • Engage members of diverse communities in efforts that benefit their own community and/or the community at large;
  • Reach out to the community-at-large to grow the awareness and engagement with diverse communities;
  • Be collaborative in nature by engaging diverse communities, organizations (non-profit, business, academic) and/or other community partners.

We welcome innovative ideas as well as quirky solutions. Applicants may focus their proposals on a specific community, constituency, or demographic group, or focus on a broader cross-section of constituencies. These are small grants; therefore, please consider solutions that are low-cost but still contribute to the impact or reach of your idea. Collaborations are encouraged.

Past Mini Grants have funded health and human services, housing, education, mentoring, professional networking, social support, welcoming initiatives, and job-connection programs.

Who Can Apply?

Lead organizations should be a community group, or otherwise represent a diverse community in the region. Lead organizations must maintain a physical presence in the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton Combined Statistical Area and have 501(c)3 non-profit status. If an organization does not yet have 501(c)3 status, a partner willing to serve as a fiscal sponsor is acceptable. The majority of funding will be directed to organizations with an annual budget below $1 million.

Selection Process

All applications are screened by staff from Vibrant Pittsburgh and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Selected proposals are reviewed by the Mini Grant Review Committee comprised of representatives from Vibrant Pittsburgh and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Relations Council.

Funding Criteria

The Mini Grants initiative considers funding requests for both new and continuing initiatives. The term of proposed projects should be one year. Grants generally range from $500 to $7,500. Past Mini Grants funding recipients are encouraged to apply.