FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
$250,000 for the Next 250: National Issues Forums Institute opens Civic Action Grant applications
New grants will help communities turn “What’s Next, America?” conversations into local action as America celebrates its 250th anniversary
Sept. 17, 2026 — On Constitution Day, the National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI) is celebrating the next step in its $250,000 investment in the next 250 years by opening applications for Civic Action Grants. The $2,500 to $5,000 grants will support local projects and nonpartisan civic actions that emerge from “What’s Next, America?” community conversations. Applications open today and grants will be awarded on a rolling basis.
The Civic Action Grants are the second opportunity in NIFI’s “What’s Next, America?” Community Grant Fund, which launched in July to support communities at different stages of the “What’s Next, America?” process: Spark Grants help communities get started, while Civic Action Grants help communities turn their conversations into action.
“Constitution Day reminds us that democracy depends not only on the institutions we inherit, but on what people choose to do together,” said Cristin Brawner, NIFI’s executive director. “The Civic Action Grants will help communities carry the work of ‘What’s Next, America?’ forward—building on what they are already doing, inviting new people and ideas, and turning shared priorities into tangible steps. They are an opportunity for communities to move from asking where they are and where they want to go to deciding how they will get there. That is how confidence grows and how communities strengthen their ability to shape their own future.”
For those interested in learning more about the Civic Action Grants and how to apply, NIFI will host a virtual informational session at 3 p.m. ET Friday, Sept. 25. People can sign up for the informational session here and review and submit their applications here.
Civic Action Grants
NIFI will be awarding $200,000 in Civic Action Grants for communities that have already started their “What’s Next, America?” discussion series and are ready to put ideas that emerge from those conversations into action.
Awards ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 may support local, nonpartisan civic actions that emerge from community conversations and action summits. For more information about what types of actions are eligible for the grant, visit NIFI’s “What’s Next America?” Community Grant Fund page.
Applications open on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, 2026, and will be awarded on a rolling basis.
These grants are intended for communities that have completed the discussion portion of “What’s Next, America?” and have hosted, or are preparing to host, an action summit.
Spark Grants
NIFI is also continuing to accept applications for 50 Spark Grants of $1,000 each to help communities organize and begin hosting “What’s Next, America?” conversations.
Spark Grants are designed to support the work of getting a local initiative off the ground, including partner coordination, participant recruitment, outreach and communications, facilitation, accessibility needs, childcare, transportation, translation services and other participation supports. For more information about what is eligible for the grant, visit NIFI’s “What’s Next America?” Community Grant Fund page.
Applications for Spark Grants remain open, and grants will be awarded on a rolling basis.
One process, two stages
Both grant opportunities are designed to support communities using the “What’s Next, America?” conversation format. Communities must use the “What’s Next, America?” format to be eligible for either type of grant.
“What’s Next, America?” helps communities come together to discuss three fundamental questions: “Where are we now? Where do we want to go? How will we get there?” The conversations culminate in an action-focused gathering, or action summit, where participants identify practical next steps for addressing local priorities.
The two grants support different points in that process. Spark Grants are intended for communities that have not yet started their “What’s Next, America?” discussions, while Civic Action Grants are for communities that have already begun their discussion series and are ready to move toward action.
The initiative builds on successful state-based efforts such as “What’s Next, West Virginia?” and “What’s Next, Alabama?,” where community conversations led to projects ranging from local arts festivals and after-school programs for teens to addiction recovery support and other locally driven solutions. “What’s Next, America?” helps people move toward actions like these that are tailored to their communities and their needs.
All grant-funded activities must be strictly nonpartisan and aligned with NIFI’s charitable and educational mission.
To learn more about the Community Grant Fund, including eligibility requirements and how to apply for both grant opportunities, visit whatsnextamerica.com/whats-next-america-community-grant-fund.
About “What’s Next, America?”
“What’s Next, America?” is a national initiative that helps communities come together to discuss their future and take action on the issues they care about most. NIFI provides free planning materials, participant guides, trainings and networking opportunities to support local “What’s Next, America?” initiatives nationwide.
About the National Issues Forums Institute
The National Issues Forums Institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that equips, empowers and mobilizes people to deliberate together and take action for the public good.
Media Contact:
Christine Fernando
NIFI communications and creative manager
cfernando@nifi.org