Good Neighbor Day America Activation Outreach Grant Program
Presented in partnership with
The Good Neighbor Day America (GNDA) Activation Outreach Grant Program provides funding to organizations mobilizing volunteers and expanding community impact through serve events on May 16, 2026.This initiative is designed to help organizations increase the scale, reach, and effectiveness of their outreach by activating more volunteers, launching new initiatives, and meeting real needs in their communities.
Application Timeline
Application Deadline: April 17, 2026
Awards Announced: May 1, 2026
Available Awards and Distribution
To support organizations of varying size and capacity, Good Neighbor Day America offers Activation Grants ranging from $1,000–$3,000.
These are grants intended to help expand or enhance your outreach plans and capability to engage and host new volunteers. Organizations are encouraged to request funding aligned with the scope and impact of their serve event.
All Activation Grants are distributed as matching grants, meaning awarded funds must be matched by funds raised by the hosting organization.
Upon approval of the application and submission of a detailed event budget, 50% of the total grant amount will be awarded upfront to support initial planning and execution. The remaining 50% will be distributed after the event, contingent upon submission of a post-event impact report that includes a summary of outcomes and documentation of all budgeted expenses (receipts required).
Who Can Apply
Matching Activation Grants are available to organizations planning to host a serve event on May 16, 2026 as part of Good Neighbor Day America.
Eligible applicants include:
- Churches and faith-based organizations
- Nonprofit organizations
Organization Requirements for Grant Eligibility
To be eligible for a GNDA Activation Grant, organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Be a confirmed partner on GoodNeighborDayAmerica.com/partner
- Provide a valid EIN or Tax ID number
- Submit a PDF copy of your 501(c)(3) IRS Determination Letter
- Submit a detailed event budget and agree to provide receipts for all expenses as part of the reimbursement-based matching grant process.
Outreach Requirements for Grant Eligibility
To be eligible, organizations must be hosting a Good Neighbor Day America serve event on May 16 and meet both of the following requirements:
- Either one of the following:
- Expand the scope or scale of your current outreach operations
- Add a new outreach activity or partnership
- Host new volunteers from the public
What the Grants Support
Funded projects should:
- Take place on May 16, 2026 as part of GNDA
- Mobilize volunteers to meet real, tangible community needs
- Create opportunities for the public to serve alongside your organization
- Contribute to a broader movement of service happening across cities nationwide
Where possible, organizations are encouraged to design experiences that lead to ongoing engagement beyond a single day of service.
Purpose of the Program
The goal is simple: help you do more than you’ve done before.
Whether that means serving more people, launching something new, or bringing more volunteers into your mission, these grants exist to remove barriers and accelerate impact.