Weaver Awards
The Weaver Awards fund local leaders and organizations using microgrants to build social trust and connection, strengthening America's social fabric through community-driven projects.
Funder: Aspen Institute
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (Weaver Awards Community Host application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Community Hosts receive substantial support (drawn from a $17M pool); typical microgrants for local weavers are small, flexible awards.
Summary: Microgrants for local leaders and organizations to build trust and connection in their communities, empowering efforts to strengthen America's social fabric.
Key Information: This is a forecasted opportunity; dates and details may shift—monitor the program page for updates.
Description
The Weaver Awards, offered through the Aspen Institute’s Weave: The Social Fabric Project, provide microgrants to individuals, informal groups, and nonprofits that are actively working to build social trust, connection, and belonging at the local level. The program’s goal is to address the erosion of social trust in America by empowering “weavers”—grassroots leaders and organizations that unite neighbors to tackle shared needs and strengthen the social fabric.
The Awards utilize a community-led model, enabling host organizations to distribute small grants directly to community members and groups. The program emphasizes simplicity and inclusiveness: the application is brief, and eligibility extends beyond traditional nonprofits to include individuals and informal collectives. Community Hosts receive start-up funds to launch and administer the program in their area, with the intention of making the grant process accessible and community-driven.
