Cleveland Votes to Award $100,000+ in Micro-Grants to Local Cleveland Non-Profits

(Cleveland, OH — April 30, 2026) Cleveland VOTES, a nonpartisan, democracy-building nonprofit based in Cleveland, has released its request for proposals for the organization's 11th year of its Equitable Civic Engagement Fund (ECEF) grant program.

In 2025, Cleveland VOTES distributed more than $120,500 in grant funds to 28 local organizations, with award amounts ranging from $1250 to $7000. For the 2026 grant cycle, Cleveland VOTES plans to distribute $100,000. 

“The fundraising environment can be unpredictable, especially for smaller hyperlocal organizations,” said Erika Anthony, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Cleveland VOTES. “What's unique about ECEF is that it is open to a diverse pool of organizations whose work engages communities that a traditional voting organization may not reach.”

ECEF provides grants to nonprofit organizations committed to educating, connecting, and empowering voting-age residents in the Greater Cleveland area. The grant opportunity isn't limited to voting organizations; organizations that seek to build a better democracy and are committed to racial equity and participatory practices are encouraged to apply.

“The goal isn’t just to distribute funding, it's to build lasting capacity within Cleveland organizations,” said Gloria Craig, Cleveland VOTES Civic Engagement Strategist and facilitator of ECEF. “Ultimately, ECEF is about bridging resources, skills, and organizations to a greater purpose of reclaiming and rewriting narratives around voting and elections.”

Interested organizations and groups can find more information–including grant eligibility, grant cycle timelines, program commitments, and the grant application–on Cleveland VOTES’ website at www.clevotes.com/ecef. Applications for the grants close Saturday, May 9th, 2026 at 6 p.m.