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Legacy of Heroes, A Future of Hope: Education and Community Grants

Learn more about our grant program for faith- and community-based organizations and schools.

Gift of Life Transplant Foundation is awarding grants to high schools, houses of worship, and community organizations in communities where donor registration rates are low and the waitlist for transplants is long.

A group of men and women pose for a photo.
Innovations Ministries

Gift of Life Transplant Foundation will provide grants of up to $5,000 for hands-on, interactive programs with demonstratable metrics, along with information, speakers and ongoing counsel. Previous grants have supported programs that included health screenings, lunch & learns, PSA (Public Service Announcement) contests, science education, career mentoring for students and other formats. Please review the following prior to beginning your application:

Eligible organizations:

  • Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
  • Houses of worship
  • High schools (public, charter, parochial) and trade schools

Organizations will be prioritized for grants that serve communities with low registration rates and/or high rates of organ disease, and a strong connection to their community.

Strong applications will have:

  • a detailed and clear strategy for increasing public health, organ donation, and transplantation education and registrations in priority communities.
  • evidence demonstrating the organization’s ability to reach and engage high priority populations.
  • realistic reach expectations, with a minimum of 50 participants.
  • a realistic budget demonstrating cost-effective use of the funds and timeline noting the project will be complete by December 31, 2026.
  • a plan for measuring effectiveness through community health surveys (provided by Gift of Life).
  • a plan to participate in at least one Gift of Life program throughout the year, such as National Donate Life Month (April), Community Village at Gift of Life Donor Dash (April), National Minority Donor Awareness Month (August), PA Donor Day (August), Gift of Life Donor Sabbath (November), and/or Home Cook Heroes at Gift of Life Howie’s House for transplant families.

Additionally, organizations will need to submit a W9 and letter of support from your organization/school leader at the time of submission.

Grant applications for Cohort 1 can be submitted now through Monday, February 9. Applications for Cohort 2 will open in late Spring 2026.

If you have any questions about the grant or the application process, please contact Naja Killebrew, Multicultural Affairs Specialist, nkillebrew@donors1.org.

APPLY HERE
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