Hey Folks! Hope y’all are enjoying the fall weather and finding moments of reprieve in this wild world. Let us know if there are ways we can improve this newsletter as we start thinking more about 2026!Us
Table of Contents
Image of us in awe of y’all keeping it pushing despite the foolishness outside
But stay hydrated, moisturized, and in community 👀
By the numbers:
Funding Opps: 35+
Job Opps: 60+
Contract Opps: 25+
Funding Opportunities
Native Youth Grantmakers by Native Americans in Philanthropy
Who it's for: A leadership program for Indigenous youth aged 18-24 that combines in-person and virtual learning to develop grantmaking skills and philanthropic knowledge. The program includes travel, mentorship, and relationship building opportunities to empower youth changemaking in their communities.
Funding Amount: N/A
Deadline: 10/20/2025
How to Apply: Click Here
Direct Action Visionary Grants by American Psychological Foundation
Who it's for: APF Direct Action Visionary Grants fund innovative interventions based on psychological knowledge that directly address pressing community needs. The program particularly supports communities dealing with prejudice, bias, intolerance, and all forms of bigotry
Funding Amount: $60,000
Deadline: 10/31/2025
How to Apply: Click Here
The Weaver Awards, Community Host Program by Weave
Who it's for: The Weaver Awards provide microgrants, tools, and visibility to local community connectors who organize neighbors to solve problems. Community Hosts receive startup funding to distribute 20+ annual microgrants of $2,500-$5,000 to local weavers over four years.
Funding Amount: $225,000 over four years
Deadline: 11/2/2025
How to Apply: Click Here
The Future of Learning, The Future of our Planet by National Geographic
Who it's for: National Geographic seeks proposals for educational projects that develop knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to design a future benefiting people and nature. Projects may pilot new learning solutions or scale proven educational approaches with evidence of effectiveness.
Funding Amount: $20,000 - $65,000
Deadline: 11/19/2025
How to Apply: Click Here
NASA Patent Remix Challenge
Who it's for: NASA invites entrepreneurs and innovators to transform existing NASA patents into commercially viable products or business concepts. Participants select a NASA patent and develop a practical application that demonstrates creativity, feasibility, and real-world impact potential.
Funding Amount: $10,000
Deadline: 12/15/2025
How to Apply: Click Here
Jobs & Fellowships 👨🏽💼👩🏽💼
Strategy Director
Organization: The Christensen Fund
Location: United States; Remote
Description: The Strategy Director works with leadership to design and advance the Fund's Indigenous rights-focused U.S. strategy. This role involves collaborating with staff and partners, managing U.S. grantmaking, building strategic relationships, and facilitating capacity-building and learning exchanges.
Deadline to Apply: Apply ASAP
Salary: $170,000 - $190,000
Link to Apply: Click Here
Chief of Sustainability Planning
Organization: County of San Diego
Location: San Diego, CA; In-Person
Description: Lead the Sustainability Planning Division to help communities thrive while protecting natural resources. Oversee teams developing the updated Climate Action Plan and Multiple Species Conservation Program, implementing sustainability programs including groundwater management and agricultural easements.
Deadline to Apply: Apply ASAP
Salary: $161,000 - $169,000
Link to Apply: Click Here
Executive Director
Organization: Upturn
Location: United States; Remote
Description: Upturn seeks an Executive Director to lead the organization challenging material harms of AI, algorithms, and data on people's lives. The role involves guiding organizational vision, ensuring financial stability, building equitable internal institutions, and managing Board relationships for this 12-person nonprofit focused on technology justice.
Deadline to Apply: 11/24/2025
Salary: $195,000
Link to Apply: Click Here
Investor Relations, Sr. Director
Organization: Enterprise Community Partners
Location: United States; Remote
Description: Manage investor relationships throughout bid approval and closing processes for low-income housing tax credit investments. Lead scheduling and coordination of investor due diligence, portfolio reviews, and fund closing processes. Prepare project summaries and coordinate with internal teams to ensure alignment between investor requirements and financial projections.
Deadline to Apply: Apply ASAP
Salary: $185,000 - $230,000
Link to Apply: Click Here
Communications Director
Organization: Climate Mayors
Location: United States; Remote
Description: Lead Climate Mayors' communications strategy, managing external communications consultants and engaging directly with mayors and their communications staff. Shape and amplify the voice of mayors in the national climate conversation while building compelling narratives and ensuring consistent messaging across platforms.
Deadline to Apply: 10/31/2025
Salary: $120,000-$140,000
Link to Apply: Click Here
RFP & Contracting Opportunities 📑
Consulting: Director of Government Affairs & Policy Education
Issued By: Pennsylvania Solar Center/ Pennsylvania Solar & Storage Industries Association
Scope: One-year part-time consultant position to research, track, and analyze renewable energy policies at the state level while leading policy conversations and advocacy efforts. The role involves building relationships with Pennsylvania government officials and developing strategic advocacy opportunities for solar energy expansion.
Budget: $5000 monthly retainer
Deadline for Proposals: Apply ASAP
Details & Submission Link: Click Here
Fellowship: California Climate Leaders Fellowship Application
Issued By: California Climate Initiative (CCI)
Scope: The California Climate Leaders Fellowship is a year-long program designed to resource equity-focused climate leaders with skills to meet local climate resilience needs. The fellowship focuses on serving BIPOC, immigrant, and rural California communities that struggle to access resources despite their vulnerability to climate change impacts.
Funding: Fully funded fellowship
Deadline for Proposals: 10/17/2025
Details & Submission Link: Click Here
Fellowship: Fellows for Southern Progress Leadership Development Program
Issued By: Grantmakers for Southern Progress
Scope: Fellows for Southern Progress (FSP) is a leadership development program for philanthropy professionals committed to supporting grassroots movements and structural change in the South. The program includes three in-person convenings, monthly virtual gatherings, and coaching sessions focused on justice-centered grantmaking practices.
Budget: Fee of $3,500 - $4,500 pending membership status
Deadline for Proposals: 10/24/2025
Details & Submission Link: Click Here
Lagniappe ⚜ (a lil extra)
News Scan: Updates to Track 📰
The CDFI Fund backs organiziations likely familiar to folks reading this newsletter: credit unions, nonprofit lenders to small businesses, cooperatives, etc. Reporting from over the weekend has shown that the current admin has laid off these staffers. Not a good look 😬. Check out this resource from the director of CDFI Friendly!
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events 🗓️
Date:
10/7/2025; 10/20/2025; 10/29/2025Location: Virtual
Title: Federal Shifts & Impact on Community Programming
Host: Emerald Cities Collaborative
Description: “As shifting federal policies reshape funding streams, regulatory priorities, and nonprofit capacity, communities on the ground are left to adapt and find new pathways forward. This three-part webinar series brings together nonprofit leaders, advocates, funders, and local governments to explore how we can build resilience, collaborate across sectors, and ensure that equity remains at the center of our collective response.”
Sign Up: Click Here
Date: 11/17/2025 - 11/19/2025
Location: Atlanta, GA
Title: 2025 Southeast Energy Summit
Host: Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
Description: “The annual Southeast Energy Summit brings together the brightest minds in the industry to connect, explore and innovate for a more energy-efficient Southeast.”
Sign Up: Click Here
⚡️ Recharge ⚡️
Its hard to not to notice the AI hype cycle dominating media narratives. If you’re a Gmail user, you’ve probably noticed the star-looking thing in your inbox and docs awaiting to “assist you”. We’ll be sharing more detailed thoughts (nuanced thoughts) on AI in the future but know that in my opinion, technology in and of itself, will not usher in a utopian future. In fact, in has potential for the opposite.
Check out this candid, conversation re: AI & Data Centers featuring the communities combatting the data centers descending upon Memphis.
In solidarity,
Trace