Applications Open: BWB Chicago Civic Ignition Grant
March 7, 2025
LOCATION: Chicago, Il
What is the BWB Chicago Civic Ignition Grant?
Proceeds from Winter Ball 2025 will be funding these micro-grants, empowering change makers to make a tangible difference in local communities.
A program aimed at funding innovative community & civic projects within the greater Chicago area. We are interested in programs that create collaborations, produce direct actions, utilize several of the 10 Burning Man Principles, are reproducible, and creatively tackle local social problems. This grant allows anyone to submit a collaborative, creative, and principle-focused project with a chance to receive up to a $1,500 grant.
Timeline:
- Grant Opportunity is announced on March 4th, 2025
- The deadline for grant submissions is April 1st, 2025 (Eastern Time)
- Workshop Participants will review the grant proposals at an upcoming event hosted in Chicago Illinois: If you’d like to be involved reach out to chicago@burnerswithoutborders.org
Apply here TODAY!
What’s unique about the BWB Chicago Civic Ignition Grant?
Submissions to the BWB Chicago Civic Ignition grant cycle will be workshopped and judged by a group of participants and community leaders. This group will use the submissions as material to review and workshop while learning how to administer their civic grant programs.
Who is eligible to apply?
Anyone! Individuals, Groups, and Not-for-Profits are all eligible. You do not need to be a participant in the leadership gathering to apply, but the project must take place within the states listed above.
How much can you ask for?
The maximum grant that may be awarded is $1,500. We encourage your project’s viability to not solely depend on this grant. Think about other sources of funding that might be available. Grants awarded could be less than the amount requested in the application.
What types of proposals will likely not get funded by this program?
Programs solely based on artistic endeavors and do not have a community or civic aspect will most likely not be considered for funding. Funds should not be used for direct fundraising, chapter promotion efforts, or paying people for their work.
What follow-up will be expected by grant recipients?
All recipients will be expected to submit written reports on what they have accomplished and learned in the course of their projects, along with accompanying visual media. This media will be hosted on the Burners Without Borders website.
Suggestions for a quality grant proposal:
- Look at the BWB Grant Impact & Criteria Document to see how we think about grants.
- Reach out to your local Burning Man Regional Contact and ask if they might be an advisor.
- Watch our video “How to write Quality Grants: Burning Man 101”(Starts rough but gets going at (9:00 min)
- Listen to our podcast “Targeted Grant Writing: with Meta-Regional Jacqui Latendresse”
How long will it take to receive the funds if selected?
In order to process your grant funds, we’ll require contracting and payment information about the Grantee, including tax information as applicable. Once all grantee information has been collected, it may take an additional 2-8 weeks to process your payment.
Are the funds taxable?
Yes, grants are considered income and are taxable for organizations and individuals.
More Info about BWB Chicago and the Winter Ball can be found here