Frequently Asked Questions – J.M.K. Innovation Prize

 

Can I be both an applicant and a volunteer reviewer?

Yes! We welcome applicants to the J.M.K. Innovation Prize to also volunteer as reviewers, and we will ensure that reviewers aren’t assigned their own applications to score.

If I applied in a previous Prize cycle, may I apply again in 2025?

Yes, past applicants are welcome to apply again for the J.M.K. Innovation Prize.

Do you accept international applications?

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize is focused on impact within the United States. That said, an internationally-based organization may apply if the proposal submitted focuses on work to be done within the U.S. or its territories.

Can I apply if my organization is not a 501(c)(3)-classified nonprofit?

501(c)(3)-classified nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits are eligible for the J.M.K. Innovation Prize. Fiscally-sponsored organizations are also welcome to apply.

You may apply to the Prize as an individual, too, but would need to be associated with an eligible entity prior to being named an awardee. The Fund cannot make grant payments to individuals.

Please note, 501(c)(4)-classified organizations are ineligible for funding through the Prize. All other types of nonprofit classifications are encouraged to email us at jmkinnovationprize@jmkfund.org prior to submitting an application.

Is an established organization eligible for the Prize?

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize oftentimes, but not always, plays the role of “first foundation dollars in” to early-stage organizations. That said, if there is a project being incubated within your organization that is intended to spin out as its own organizational entity, then we would encourage a submission focused on that project.

What is the timeline for fund disbursement? Is this restricted funding?

The $150,000 award is paid over three years, $50,000 per year. This funding is unrestricted (“general operating support”), allowing awardees to deploy resources where they are needed most.

An additional $25,000 of technical assistance is offered to reimburse organizations for strategic expenses that are otherwise difficult to fundraise for; technical assistance funds are not meant to plug a gap in an operating budget. These T.A. funds may be deployed at any time over the three-year Prize term, in consultation with Fund staff.

What does the Fund mean by “innovative?”

Good question! Our review process recognizes “innovative” as unique or clever, while emphasizing context. For example, a program might be innovative in a rural setting, but not so in an urban one. Or it might be innovative because it’s bringing an established service or technology to a new target population.

Because this is the sixth time we’ve run the J.M.K. Innovation Prize, we’ve seen a lot of amazing ideas… many, many times. Be sure to clearly articulate what sets your idea apart from similar initiatives such that a smart generalist reviewer might clearly contextualize its significance.

What does the Fund mean by “early-stage?”

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize recognizes that “early-stage” can look very different across sectors, content areas, geographies, and more. The best way to define this term relative to the Prize is asking whether $175,000 of funding over three years, as well as significant organizational and professional development coaching, would make a meaningful difference to the organization’s start and forward trajectory. Most Prize awardees are organizations or fiscally sponsored projects that have been active for less than five years and operate with annual budgets of less than $500,000.

Can I speak with a member of the Fund staff about my idea?

Because of our small staff size and the thousands of applications received to this open-call grantmaking initiative, we’re sorry to be unable to accommodate requests for phone calls from prospective applicants.

That said, please email jmkinnovationprize@jmkfund.org with your questions and we’ll aim to get back to you within a couple business days.

How will my first-round application be scored?

All eligible applications will be evaluated based on the following equally-weighted selection criteria:

1. Represent a game-changing answer to a clearly identified need;
2. Are innovative within one or more of the Fund’s three program areas;
3. Demonstrate the potential to develop an actionable pilot or prototype with Prize funding;
4. Hold out the promise to benefit multiple individuals, communities, or sectors through a clearly articulated theory of change.

The first round of our Prize’s selection process is conducted by 500+ volunteer reviewers, meaning your application will be read by numerous “smart generalists.” We average these scores to identify the top ~20% of scoring applicants, who are invited to submit a second-round application that will be read by 30+ subject matter experts.

Are there benefits to applicants who do not ultimately win the Prize?

We are acutely aware of the need for additional funding for early-stage cultural, environmental, and social initiatives. For the 2025 cycle, the Fund is proud to partner with The 1772 Foundation, Burnham Family Foundation, and Trinity Church NYC to expand the scope and impact of the Prize. These fellow funders will support our outreach efforts, assist in the review process, and explore our pool of applications for promising early-stage projects that align with their own grantmaking priorities – broadening visibility and funding opportunities for all applicants.

Can I submit my application in a language other than English?

Applications for the J.M.K. Innovation Prize may be submitted in English or in Spanish. Because the software we use for applications and Round 1 reviews only uses English, we request that Spanish applications be submitted via email – and will translate these applications into English for our volunteer reviewers. If you have additional requests related to application accessibility or language access, please get in touch – we are eager to accommodate any requests from interested organizations.

Can I apply for other grants from the J.M. Kaplan Fund?

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize is currently the only open-call grantmaking initiative of the J.M. Kaplan Fund. All other grantmaking made by the Fund, both domestic and international, is by invitation only.

How do I become a volunteer reviewer for the J.M.K. Innovation Prize?

Thank you so much for your interest in becoming a volunteer reviewer for the J.M.K. Innovation Prize! Please subscribe to the Fund’s email updates here. An email invitation to become a volunteer reviewer will then be sent to you around March of 2025. If you have any questions, please email us at jmkinnovationprize@jmkfund.org.