Brooklyn Nonprofits Sparking Social Change Can Now Apply for 100K 'Spark Prize'

Presented by the Brooklyn Community Foundation, the Spark Prize recognizes organizations with a strong commitment to addressing critical challenges and opportunities in Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Community Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2018-19 Spark Prize. On Monday, the foundation kicked off its submission process for the $100,000 award given to Brooklyn nonprofits that spark social change for a fair and just Brooklyn.

Held annually, the Spark Prize recognizes organizations with a strong track record in addressing critical challenges and opportunities in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Community Foundation supports organizations that demonstrate a commitment to equity and racial justice, creativity and impact, strong institutional values, and a dynamic vision for the future of their work in Brooklyn and beyond.

The organization, founded in 2009, is a public foundation solely dedicated to Brooklyn's charitable community and works in partnership with donors and community leaders to bolster vital nonprofits, strengthen neighborhoods and increase opportunities for youth.

Through the Spark Prize, the Brooklyn Community Foundation provides up to $600,000 in total funds to organizations annually. Five nonprofits will be selected to receive the $100,000 Spark Prize, provided as general grants distributed over a period of two or three years. Additionally, 20 finalists will each receive up to $5,000 in matching funds through the foundation's "Brooklyn Gives on Giving Tuesday" campaign.

Winners and finalists are selected through a competitive application process by the Spark Prize Committee, a diverse group of distinguished civic, business and neighborhood leaders from the Brooklyn community. The Spark Prize is sponsored by TD Bank, with support from National Grid; it is presented by the Brooklyn Community Foundation in partnership with the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

Eligible Brooklyn nonprofits are encouraged to apply online through Friday, May 11.

The Brooklyn Community Foundation is also hosting an application clinic for interested organizations who would like to learn more about eligibility guidelines and application criteria on Monday, April 16. To attend, please register here.