BY TFN Staff
The Funders Network (TFN), in partnership with the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), is thrilled to announce the opening of the latest round of the Partners for Places grant program.
The deadline to submit proposals is February 28, 2025.
The Partners for Places matching grant program supports equitable sustainability projects and helps build partnerships between local government leaders, frontline community groups and place-based funders in the U.S. and Canada.
Since 2012, Partners for Places has supported more than 200 projects in communities both large and small, spanning coast to coast and across geographically and politically diverse landscapes.
Partners for Places has awarded nearly $12 million for community-driven sustainability projects, leading to more than $23 million in investments.
By encouraging and cultivating partnerships at the local level, the grant program helps foster relationships that increase community engagement, bridge divides and make our communities more resilient, prosperous and equitable in the long-term.
Partners for Places is supported by national funders, whose investment in a place-based grant program promotes a healthy environment, a strong economy and well-being for all people.
In recent years, the grant program has adopted a strategy that leads with racial equity and a sharper focus on how best to advance equitable and sustainable practices in communities, especially those disproportionately vulnerable to climate impacts.
These matching awards provide partnership investments between $45,000 and $100,000 for one-year projects, or between $75,000 and $150,000 for two-year projects, with one or more local foundations required to provide at least a 50% matching grant.
Oakland will use its Partners for Places funding to co-create a “Rooted and Resilient” plan for the city’s Chinatown,
advancing community-led climate and resilience priorities. Photo credit: Jonathan Fong and Friends of Lincoln Square Park.
Grantee Coaching & Shared Learning
The grants also provide an opportunity for grantees to deepen their own knowledge and learn from other grantee communities working on Partners for Places projects.
In addition to equity-focused coaching for individual projects and a kick-off orientation for the grantee cohort, Partners for Places grantees also share project updates and challenges with each other during peer calls.
And lessons learned from completed projects are featured in the Partners for Places Idea Bank, offering additional opportunities to build on the collective wisdom of grantee communities.
Our grants team wants every submission to be as strong and successful as possible. To that end, technical assistance is available to those who are considering applying for a grant.
Prospective applicants are also encourages to take part in our Partners for Places Round 22 Informational Call on Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. ET.
How To Apply
Interested in applying? Access the application and resource documents below. (These resources are also available on our Partners for Places home page.)
Round 22 Application and Resources
- Invitation to Apply
- Application Form
- Budget Form
- General Selection Criteria
- Informational Webinar: Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. ET | Register here.
The application deadline for Round 22 is Feb. 28 (by 11:59 p.m., any time zone).
Round 22 general Grant funds will support:
- Spreading of local Equitable Climate Action (ECA) and/or Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) practices.
- Advancing opportunities for local government, frontline communities, and place-based funders to build trust and develop projects together.
Please visit the Partners for Places webpage for more information.
About Partners for Places
Partners for Places is led by TFN in partnership with the USDN.
The matching grant program brings national funder investors together with place-based funders to support equitable and sustainable climate action and green stormwater infrastructure projects. The program is currently supported by four investor foundations: The JPB Foundation, The Kendeda Fund, The Kresge Foundation and the Pisces Foundation.
→ Read about the latest round of Partners for Places matching grant recipients here.
→ Read about previous rounds of grants in the Meet the Grantees section of the Partners for Places webpage.
Additional Resources & FAQ’s
→ Register for our Round 22 Informational Webinar designed to help potential applicants prepare proposals, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. ET. Register here.
→ Read this feature story about Partners for Places in Inside Philanthropy here.
→ Where is Partners for Places making an impact?
Read previous grant announcements and explore the Partners for Places Grantee Map here.
→ Where can I learn about completed Partners for Places projects?
Visit the Partners for Places Idea Bank to explore what grantees are doing, learning and sharing.
→ If you have questions about the Partners for Places program, please feel free to reach out to Ashley Quintana at ashley@fundersnetwork.org.
