The Sparkplug Foundation supports projects in three areas of focus: music, education and grassroots organizing.
Funding Principles
• Music
• Education & Teaching
• Grassroots Organizing
Funding to Individuals & Non-501(c)3s
Also, check out Frequently Asked Questions!
SUSTAINABILITY
Sparkplug is a small foundation, which is why we try to make grants where a small, one-time grant can have a big impact. Generally, we try to make grants that help projects become sustainable. So we usually don't fund daily operations, or things like plane tickets, one-time performances, etc.
COLLABORATIVE FUNDING
We also believe that communities "on the ground" are the best qualified to say how funds should be used. So we try very hard not to make demands of our grantees that get in the way of their work. At the same time, we try to offer assistance and supportive feedback. And we're looking into new ways to bring community input into out grantmaking. (We're open to feedback, too. Call us!)
SMALL PROJECTS
Sparkplug gives preference to projects run on small budgets, projects of smallish organizations, and projects that are less likely to receive corporate, institutional or government funding. Along the same lines, we are somewhat less likely to fund university-based projects than other projects.
SECULAR FOCUS
Sparkplug funds only secular (non-religious) projects. However, we do distiguish between religious activities and secular activities sponsored by faith-based organizations. We will consider funding the latter -- for example, we have funded education programs run by churches.
ONE-TIME FUNDING
Sparkplug is committed to helping new organizations get their start. We recognize that starting up is a process that takes more than a year, and we're considering expanding our grantmaking to multi-year support. Meanwhile, although we won't refuse "repeat" applications, Sparkplug is unlikely to fund the same organization twice -- even if the organization is applying for funding for a new project.
FUNDING IN ISRAEL, GAZA & THE WEST BANK
The Sparkplug Foundation is a family foundation, funded and administered in part by Palestine-born and first-generation American Jews. For this reason, we look with particular concern at the implications of funding projects in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.
In the current climate of ethnic separation and human rights violations in the region, the Sparkplug Foundation feels that projects relating to the region must be evaluated by whether they deepen or ameliorate this climate. In accordance with our funding guidelines, the Sparkplug Foundation is unlikely to fund projects in Israel unless they involve Palestinian communities.
SUPPORT FOR EMERGING MOVEMENTS
Just as Sparkplug aims to support new organizations, we aim to support the development of emerging democratic movements. In addition to the areas outlined in our funding ideals, the Sparkplug Foundation is currently looking to support communities working on sustainable energy
and Gulf Coast reconstruction democracy.
Sparkplug aims to support the development of music by helping to launch new voices and ideas. Generally, this means we fund emerging professional musicians or music-development programs. The funding is intended to help them gain a foothold that makes their work sustainable.
When we get applications for other kinds of music projects, like musical training for youth, we're more likely to consider them under our Education & Teaching or Grassroots Organizing focus. Please note that we can't provide "replacement funding" for music programs suffering from budget cuts. See the FAQ for examples.
Sparkplug aims to support projects that deal with "the whole student" and with learning as a community activity. In the past, this has included literacy projects that bring parents & kids together to learn, projects that use a neighborhood as a classroom, projects that help teachers share ideas about creative, relevant curricula, etc. We're especially interested in supporting critical and investigative thinking, and projects that address class disparities in education.
We also try to fund projects that reach a lot of people -- or a whole commuunity -- and that can make a big difference in people's lives. Unfortunately, although many communities are affected by budget cuts that interrupt educational programs, Sparkplug can't provide funding to keep those programs operating from day to day. See the FAQ for more information.
Sparkplug aims to support communities to address institutional injustices, and to build a just society. Because we're a small foundation trying to "spark" change, we don't fund community service. See the FAQ for examples.
Funding to Individuals & Non-501(c)3 Organizations
Not all projects fit into a larger organization, so we sometimes make grants to individuals. And sometimes it doesn't make sense for an organization to be a 501(c)3, since that label places legal limits on the kinds of work it can do -- so we make grants to non-501(c)3 organizations too. (See Past Grants for examples.)
But since the Sparkplug Foundation is bound by U.S. laws on charitable giving, we generally require those grantees to have 501(c)3 fiscal sponsors, so that there is a clear line of accountability for how funds are spent. We do this for two reasons: first, so that we can make grants without having to monitor our grantees' finances; second, so that your work (and ours) will not be burdened unduly by federal tax audits. We find that this gives us the most possible freedom to fund grassroots grant applications.
For articles about problems with 501(c)3 status and foundation funding, check our Resources page.