Project Innovation Grant Program returns

The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation and NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations (NBC/Telemundo owned stations), announced their “Project Innovation” competitive grant challenge will return for a fourth consecutive year when applications open on January 8, 2021. Applications can be previewed now at nbcuprojectinnovation.com and in Spanish at nbcuproyectoinnovacion.com. The online application process runs from January 8 to February 12, 2021. Grant winners will be announced in May 2021.

The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation and NBC/Telemundo owned stations in 11 select markets will award a total of $3.475 million in grants, up from $2.475 million, to nonprofits that are helping to move their communities forward through programs that are fostering a culture of equity and inclusion, encouraging individuals to participate and volunteer in community engagement initiatives, helping to shape the next generation of storytellers and providing youth with the tools they need to succeed across multiple disciplines including entrepreneurship.  The program’s four grant categories are described in detail, below.

“Local non-profits have had the double challenge of having to cancel or substantially change their traditional fundraising activities at the same time that the need for their services skyrocketed.  These organizations are vital to our communities and they need and deserve our support,” said Valari Staab, President, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. “With the additional $1 million dollars we will be able to aid even more organizations in their important work.”

“The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation has a long history of supporting organizations that are leading programs to address systemic inequities in our society,” added Jessica Clancy, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, NBCUniversal. “With our Project Innovation grant we have a renewed opportunity to double down on programs that are at the forefront of helping to shape our next generation of entrepreneurs, STEM leaders and storytellers while driving enduring social changes.”

NBC and Telemundo owned stations in the 11 participating markets will select and present grant awards to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are physically located in a participating market, service the market they operate from, have an annual operating budget of more than $100,000 (defined by the organizations most recent 990-N IRS filing), and whose programs are helping to resolve everyday community issues in any of the following four grant categories. Interested groups are encouraged to visit the program’s websites to read additional rules/eligibility requirements.

Project Innovation 2021 Grant Categories

  •     Community Engagement: Programs that enable individuals to engage and volunteer in their communities.
  •     Culture of Inclusion: Programs that encourage equitable access, opportunities and resources for traditionally underrepresented communities.
  •     Next Generation Storytellers: Programs that promote access and develop pathways for emerging talent, diverse voices and underrepresented youth to explore careers in news, entertainment, sports and the arts.
  •     Youth Education and Empowerment: In-school and out-of-school programs that equip youth with the tools they need to succeed, including STEM/ STEAM education and youth entrepreneurship.

Project Innovation 2021 markets include: New York (WNBC, WNJU), Southern California (KNBC, KVEA), Chicago (WMAQ, WSNS), Philadelphia (WCAU, WWSI), Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS, KXTX), Boston (WBTS, WNEU, NECN), Hartford, CT (WVIT, WRDM), Washington, D.C. (WRC-TV, WZDC), Miami-Fort Lauderdale (WTVJ, WSCV), San Francisco Bay Area (KNTV, KSTS), and San Diego (KNSD, KUAN).

Visit nbcuprojectinnovation.com to access the grant application, program rules and eligibility requirements. To access the same information in Spanish, visit nbcuproyectoinnovacion.com.

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