[Aspen Institute](https://www.aspeninstitute.org)

January 30, 2026: Full application submission deadline (Application closes at 11:59 PM ET)

$100,000–$1,000,000 per award; up to $5 million total distributed; funding may be over 1–2 years

Supports nonprofit collaborations launching innovative initiatives to build trust within U.S. communities, connecting grantees to a national network and annual summit.

--- ## Description The Trust in Practice Awards, offered by the Aspen Institute's Alliance for Social Trust, celebrate and support nonprofit organizations collaborating on innovative projects aimed at building trust within local or virtual communities across the United States. Awardees join a national network of trust builders, gain access to storytelling platforms, and participate in the annual Trust in Practice Summit, which recognizes and amplifies the work of organizations strengthening relationships, cultivating institutional confidence, and fostering collective problem-solving. --- ## Due Dates - January 30, 2026: Full application submission deadline (Application closes at 11:59 PM ET) --- ## Funding Amount - Total funding available: Up to $5 million distributed across all awards. - Individual award tiers: - $100,000: For local nonprofit collaborations launching innovative, community-based projects to test trust-building strategies. - $500,000: For larger-scale collaborations with wider influence, potentially involving multiple sites or broader audiences. - $1,000,000: For ambitious collaborations with bold, highly visible ideas that combine strong community engagement with research, storytelling, or policy components. - Funding may be distributed over one or two years. --- ## Eligibility - The lead applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. - Each application must represent a collaboration of **at least three 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations** (the lead plus two or more partners). - Projects must be new or evolving initiatives (not established projects already operating at scale). - Initiatives should focus on building trust through activities such as civic engagement, community service, storytelling, dialogue across difference, or other collaborative efforts. - Organizations of varying sizes are encouraged, with funding tiers matched to project scale and ambition. --- ## Application Process - Review the [Guidelines](https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:a3476206-df79-4e0d-9db7-c5ff36d9c474) and [FAQs](https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:cd4e604b-5fc7-4d21-93b5-0ad32015c633) (updated December 22, 2025) before applying. - Applications must be submitted online via the Alliance for Social Trust’s Submittable portal. - The application period opened on November 14, 2025, and closes January 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. - The cutoff for guaranteed responses to applicant questions is January 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. - Selected grantees will participate in the annual Trust in Practice Summit and join a national network for shared learning and storytelling. --- ## Additional Information - The program is not intended to fund projects already operating at scale. - Funding tiers are matched to the ambition and scope of the proposed project. - Participation in the annual Trust in Practice Summit and ongoing network activities is expected for awardees. --- ## External Links - [Program Page: Trust in Practice Awards](https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/alliance-for-social-trust/trust-in-practice-awards/) - [Application Portal (Submittable)](https://aspenallianceforsocialtrust.submittable.com/submit) - [Guidelines PDF](https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:a3476206-df79-4e0d-9db7-c5ff36d9c474) - [FAQs PDF](https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:cd4e604b-5fc7-4d21-93b5-0ad32015c633) - [Alliance for Social Trust Home](https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/alliance-for-social-trust/) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |---------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [allianceforsocialtrust@aspeninstitute.org](mailto:allianceforsocialtrust@aspeninstitute.org) | | Aspen Institute | [Contact Page](https://www.aspeninstitute.org/contact) | | Phone | (202) 736-5800 |

Trust in Practice Awards

Sign in to see full grant listing