FAQs: Before applying, please read this section to learn more about the program.
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Who is sponsoring this award and why?
We are a small group of Bay Area residents interested in helping to build local communities that work better for all residents, especially those whose lives are difficult. In designing the program, we have received generous counsel from many Bay Area people who are working each day with young people like yourselves. In addition, we're very happy that the Oakland-based Philanthropic Ventures Foundation is providing a supportive home for the program. We believe in the power of young people to make change and want to give people with good ideas the chance to succeed for the betterment of all. What types of projects are you looking for? We’re seeking young people inspired to help people in their communities. We're looking for projects based upon innovative ideas, approaches, or technologies, to tackle a new community problem or an older, persistent problem. We are also interested in projects that, if successful, could be applied elsewhere in similar situations or scaled up. How do you define “success?” We know that complex problems are rarely solved quickly. We also know that breakthroughs often result from new or different ways of looking at a problem, leading to new ideas or approaches to solving it. Since your award will support a project for a maximum of one year, your goals should be realistic, measurable and achievable, while having noteworthy positive impact on the problem. |
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Can I apply on behalf of the organization I work for, or can the organization apply?
All Inspire Awards will be given to individuals, not organizations. Organizations cannot apply. Keep in mind that (1) you are responsible for your project; (2) the funds will come to you, not any organization; (3) the award must be for something new that couldn't be done without the funds. (If your organization already has funding for the project, the project is not eligible for an Inspire Award.)
Support from partner organizations is essential to success, however, so we do encourage you to use your networks! Please include information from the organizations supporting your project in your letter, including what they might contribute to help the project succeed.
Is there a deadline for applying, and when will I know if I’m getting an award?
Applications are currently closed. When the next round of applications open, you have two months to submit. You will be notified of a decision within the following two months.
How many projects will be funded?
We are hoping to fund six projects in 2021-2022.
How will the funds be awarded?
We’ll initially send you a check for half the funds. You'll be required to send a mid-way report, and if it shows us you’re making good progress, we’ll send you the other half.
If I’m accepted, what am I required to do?
If you're accepted, it's because we've learned enough about you and your idea to be convinced of three things: you know what you’re doing; your project is inspiring; and you have a good plan for success. So, there are fewer strings attached than for typical grants.
We expect to hold a Get-Acquainted event with all awardees and our Advisory Board. There, you’ll present and discuss your project with other awardees and our advisers. Our advisers have been chosen partly because of the expertise they bring to help awardees succeed with their projects. Halfway through the year, we'll have a check in meeting with all awardees and advisers, where you'll present on your progress and setbacks and receive guidance and feedback. Then, at the end of the project period, we expect to have a celebration event to discuss successes, resets, lessons learned and the future. Before the events, we’ll send you an agenda including details on what you should include in your presentations.
We also require (1) a letter before we finalize the award confirming or detailing your project plan and budget; (2) a report halfway into the project telling us of your progress relative to what you expected to accomplish at the half-way point; and (3) a report at the project’s end telling us what you have accomplished compared to your initial project plan -- including how the funds were spent. Before the reports are due, we will send you details on what information we expect you to include. If we have questions, we may contact you for more information after receiving your letters or at any other time.
Finally, we hope to leverage your idea to address similar problems in other communities and to increase the number of Inspire Awards by spreading the word about success stories. So, we may want to interview you to tell your story on our website and through other media.
What happens if I think I need to change my project plan after I get started?
We know things don’t always go according to plan. Sometimes this is a good thing and may lead to something even better than planned; other times, it’s less certain what might happen. If, for any reason, you think you need to make changes to your project, we urge you to contact us sooner rather than later. Our advisers will be happy to consult with you to help find the best approach to the situation.
What happens if I don’t succeed with my project?
The short answer is “nothing,” though we will expect your half-way and final letters and attendance at our events. Not all good ideas succeed, and we understand that. If you received an Inspire Award, it’s because we thought you had a good idea for a worthwhile project and, ultimately, that may be enough for now. Because of who you are, we would expect that your Inspire Award experience will help you succeed in your future work, no matter the outcome. We will invite you to check in with us from time to time to let us know what you’re doing, but that’s totally up to you.
Ready to apply?
Please go to How to Apply.
All Inspire Awards will be given to individuals, not organizations. Organizations cannot apply. Keep in mind that (1) you are responsible for your project; (2) the funds will come to you, not any organization; (3) the award must be for something new that couldn't be done without the funds. (If your organization already has funding for the project, the project is not eligible for an Inspire Award.)
Support from partner organizations is essential to success, however, so we do encourage you to use your networks! Please include information from the organizations supporting your project in your letter, including what they might contribute to help the project succeed.
Is there a deadline for applying, and when will I know if I’m getting an award?
Applications are currently closed. When the next round of applications open, you have two months to submit. You will be notified of a decision within the following two months.
How many projects will be funded?
We are hoping to fund six projects in 2021-2022.
How will the funds be awarded?
We’ll initially send you a check for half the funds. You'll be required to send a mid-way report, and if it shows us you’re making good progress, we’ll send you the other half.
If I’m accepted, what am I required to do?
If you're accepted, it's because we've learned enough about you and your idea to be convinced of three things: you know what you’re doing; your project is inspiring; and you have a good plan for success. So, there are fewer strings attached than for typical grants.
We expect to hold a Get-Acquainted event with all awardees and our Advisory Board. There, you’ll present and discuss your project with other awardees and our advisers. Our advisers have been chosen partly because of the expertise they bring to help awardees succeed with their projects. Halfway through the year, we'll have a check in meeting with all awardees and advisers, where you'll present on your progress and setbacks and receive guidance and feedback. Then, at the end of the project period, we expect to have a celebration event to discuss successes, resets, lessons learned and the future. Before the events, we’ll send you an agenda including details on what you should include in your presentations.
We also require (1) a letter before we finalize the award confirming or detailing your project plan and budget; (2) a report halfway into the project telling us of your progress relative to what you expected to accomplish at the half-way point; and (3) a report at the project’s end telling us what you have accomplished compared to your initial project plan -- including how the funds were spent. Before the reports are due, we will send you details on what information we expect you to include. If we have questions, we may contact you for more information after receiving your letters or at any other time.
Finally, we hope to leverage your idea to address similar problems in other communities and to increase the number of Inspire Awards by spreading the word about success stories. So, we may want to interview you to tell your story on our website and through other media.
What happens if I think I need to change my project plan after I get started?
We know things don’t always go according to plan. Sometimes this is a good thing and may lead to something even better than planned; other times, it’s less certain what might happen. If, for any reason, you think you need to make changes to your project, we urge you to contact us sooner rather than later. Our advisers will be happy to consult with you to help find the best approach to the situation.
What happens if I don’t succeed with my project?
The short answer is “nothing,” though we will expect your half-way and final letters and attendance at our events. Not all good ideas succeed, and we understand that. If you received an Inspire Award, it’s because we thought you had a good idea for a worthwhile project and, ultimately, that may be enough for now. Because of who you are, we would expect that your Inspire Award experience will help you succeed in your future work, no matter the outcome. We will invite you to check in with us from time to time to let us know what you’re doing, but that’s totally up to you.
Ready to apply?
Please go to How to Apply.
The Bay Area Inspire Awards is a community initiative administered by:
