2026 Stanley 1913 Creators Fund

The Stanley 1913 Creators Fund provides grants of up to $50,000 to emerging Creators, Builders and Inventors working at the intersection of humanity, sustainability and possibility.

The fund supports social entrepreneurs and early-stage nonprofit organisations that have developed innovative solutions to urgent community challenges.

Focus areas

The fund supports a wide variety of causes, including:

• Climate change

• Food security

• Housing security

• Equity and justice

• Other urgent community challenges

Between five and eight recipients are expected to receive single-year funding.

Eligibility requirements

Eligible organisations must:

• Be a legally recognised nonprofit or charitable organisation

• Have an operating history of fewer than 10 years

• Have an annual operating income between $200,000 and $2 million

• Demonstrate alignment with the Stanley 1913 Creators Fund’s objectives

• Operate in accordance with Stanley 1913’s values and commitment to inclusion

• Have an emerging leader who is deeply engaged in the community

• Present an innovative solution to an urgent challenge

• Be willing to collaborate with Stanley 1913 and other stakeholders to amplify the organisation’s story and progress

US-based applicants must operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation or work through a qualified 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.

Applicants outside the United States must provide documentation showing that they are legally recognised as a nonprofit or charitable organisation in their country.

Ineligible applicants

The following are not eligible:

• Individuals

• Organisations without legally recognised nonprofit or charitable status

• Government agencies

• Political advocacy organisations

• Schools and colleges

• Religious institutions

• Organisations established to recruit or promote a specific faith

• Organisations that do not comply with Stanley 1913’s values, nondiscrimination policy or applicable laws

Selection criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on:

Create, Build and Invent

The leader and organisation must demonstrate innovation and originality in their approach to systems change.

Theory of Change

Applicants should demonstrate that they have created, defined, tested or raised funding for an impactful solution to an urgent challenge.

Leadership and Voice

The organisation’s leader should have a compelling voice and demonstrate the ability to advance ideas, mobilise support, influence others and lead.

Project and Capacity

Applicants must explain how the funding will enable further development or delivery of their innovative solution.

Inclusion

The organisation should prioritise inclusion in its operations and service delivery.

Collaboration

The leader and organisation should demonstrate a commitment to working with communities, individuals, brands and other stakeholders.

Application requirements

Applicants will provide:

• Information about the nonprofit organisation

• Information about the affiliated leader

• The cause at the centre of the organisation’s work

• The qualities, accomplishments or ideas that distinguish the leader as an emerging Creator

• The specific activities that would be undertaken with the grant

• An explanation of the organisation’s innovative solution

• Evidence of alignment with the Creators Fund’s objectives

Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide additional information or participate in discussions with Stanley 1913 representatives.

Award information

• Maximum award: $50,000

• Expected recipients: Five to eight

• Funding duration: One year

• Award amounts may vary according to the number of applicants, organisation size and proposal strength.

• Recipients are expected to use the funding transparently and responsibly.

• Progress updates are encouraged but not mandatory.

Important dates

• Application deadline: Sunday, 13 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST

• Applicant notification: November 2026

• Final decisions and awards: November 2026

Contact

Email: stanleycreatorsfund@stanley1913.com

The fund aims to respond to programme enquiries within five working days but cannot provide individual application-status updates.