[C. E. and S. Foundation](https://www.cesfoundation.com)

January 23, 2026 | July 31, 2026

Maximum $25,000 per grant; most awards range from $1,000–$25,000 for a 12-month period.

Supports organizations advancing equity and community well-being through access to education, opportunity, food security, justice, and housing.

Only organizations that have never previously received a Campbell Foundation grant are eligible to apply for unsolicited grants.

--- ## Description This program funds nonprofit organizations dedicated to enhancing community well-being and equity, particularly for low-income and vulnerable populations. Grants support efforts that increase access to quality education, economic opportunity, food security, community justice, and affordable housing. The program is especially interested in organizations focused on racial equity and those led by and serving Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. While projects anywhere in the United States are eligible, there is a special interest in certain counties in California, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. --- ## Due Dates - January 23, 2026: Unsolicited Grant Program — Cycle 1 2026 full proposal submission deadline (closed) - July 31, 2026: Unsolicited Grant Program — Cycle 2 2026 full proposal submission deadline (open; due by 5 pm Pacific Time) No late submissions or extensions are permitted. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum request per unsolicited grant: $25,000. - Most grants range from $1,000 to $25,000; in 2025, nearly half of unsolicited grants were for the full $25,000. - Grant period: Funds are expected to be expended within 12 months of receipt. - Grants are typically one-time awards; renewals are rare and decided case by case. --- ## Eligibility - Applicant must be a US-registered 501(c)(3) public charitable organization, educational institution (170(b)(1)(A)(ii)), government agency (170(c)(1)), or fiscally sponsored project. - Organization must **not** have previously received a Campbell Foundation grant. - Strongly preferred: in operation for 5+ years, operating budget between $1M–$12M, at least 5 funders of $5,000+, and at least 5 board members. - Program areas of interest: Community Engagement, Agriculture, Clean/Safe Drinking Water, Water Management, Watershed Advocacy. - Special interest in organizations focused on racial equity and/or serving Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. - Geographic focus: Open to US and international organizations, but preference for projects in: - California: Fresno, Kern, Kings, San Francisco, Tulare counties - Maryland: Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset counties - Pennsylvania: Lancaster and York counties - **Not eligible:** Individuals, private foundations, and proposals for academic/medical research, animal rescue, disease research, ecosystem restoration, films, hospitals, non-community-based fisheries, plastic pollution, or single species conservation. --- ## Application Process 1. **Eligibility Check:** Complete [the eligibility checklist](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/unsoleligibilitychecklist) to confirm basic requirements. 2. **Prescreen Tool:** Use the [Prescreen Tool](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8TZ32SV) to assess fit with program priorities (optional but encouraged). 3. **Proposal Submission:** Eligible organizations submit a full proposal through the Campbell Foundation’s online grants portal. - [Download proposal template](https://campbellfoundation.box.com/shared/static/b9tycl70b0uau101f9r12qrvzzf70u9d.docx) (for preparation). - Only one proposal per organization per cycle. - Proposals must be complete; incomplete or late proposals will not be considered. 4. **Review:** Proposals are evaluated on completeness, organizational health, alignment with priorities, and adherence to guidelines. 5. **Notification:** Funding decisions announced by October 16, 2026 (Cycle 2). --- ## Additional Information - If declined, organizations must wait two years before reapplying. - Only general support proposals are accepted; capacity building or capital campaigns are not eligible. - No meetings or phone calls with staff prior to submission; questions can be sent by email. - Only electronic submissions are accepted; do not mail hard copies. - View [recent unsolicited grant recipients](https://www.campbellfoundation.org/unsolicited-grant-recipients/) for examples. --- ## External Links - [Community Engagement Program Overview](https://www.campbellfoundation.org/programs/community-engagement) - [Unsolicited Grant Program Details](https://www.campbellfoundation.org/programs/unsolicited/) - [How to Apply & Deadlines](https://www.campbellfoundation.org/how-to-apply/) - [Prescreen Tool](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8TZ32SV) - [Eligibility Checklist](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/unsoleligibilitychecklist) - [Proposal Template (docx)](https://campbellfoundation.box.com/shared/static/b9tycl70b0uau101f9r12qrvzzf70u9d.docx) - [Unsolicited Grant Recipients](https://www.campbellfoundation.org/unsolicited-grant-recipients/) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | Web Contact | |---------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Grants Management (Pacific) | kgraczyk@campbellfoundation.org | Not listed | [Contact Page](https://www.campbellfoundation.org/contact/) | | General Foundation | info@thecampbellfoundation.org | Not listed | | | C. E. and S. Foundation | — | (502) 583-0546 | [Contact Page](https://www.cesfoundation.com/contact.html) |

Community Engagement

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