LFC Swift Gift Fund

Due to current funding circumstances in the philanthropic field, our annual Swift Grants fund will be changed to Swift Gifts. Our goal is to support impactful nonprofits in mitigating the effects of the changes in the funding ecosystem, so they can navigate this changed landscape strategically, impactfully, and with minimal harm to the communities they serve. Bold Solutions Network members are invited to apply for unrestricted gifts of $20,000. 

Informed by our learnings from the first round of Swift Gifts, the following modifications will be made to the second round: 

· Round Two will focus on organizations that have experienced direct funding cuts since January 2025 and are looking to implement a strategy to better position themselves for the future. 

· Top-scoring proposals will demonstrate how their strategic action (pivoting, collaborating, field building, increasing capacity, or defending) will increase the likelihood of long-term success, sustainability, and stabilization for the organization.

· Activities considered for funding can include organizational/leadership consultation, legal support, staff training or support, merger or collaborative, financial modeling and exploration, fundraising consultation, implementing cybersecurity, hosting events/field-building, travel/attending convenings, or other activities to support a strategic pivot, defense, collaboration, field building, or increase of capacity.

· A revamped application will also ask for more specific details on funding losses, proposed activities, and long-term vision.

· Organizations that received gifts in Round 1 will not be eligible to apply. Applicants from Round 1 who did not receive gifts are welcome to apply again. 

Due to the high volume of applications, this will be the final round of Swift Gifts for 2025. Please note we intend to notify selected giftees in October 2025 and disperse funds by November 2025. There will be no reporting requirements for this gift. Selected organizations based in the United States will need to submit an ACH form and a W9 to receive funds. Additionally, international organizations will need to submit a W-8BEN-E form, proof of charitable status, governing documents, a list of senior directors and officers, and an affidavit. 

Gift applications will be rated by a committee of Lever for Change staff on a scale of nine total points. The criteria includes: 

• Financial Need (3 points): Is the organization experiencing financial hardships due to current disruptions in the philanthropic field?
• Strategic (3 points): Does the organization have a careful and realistic plan for using the $20,000 for pivoting, collaborating, field building, increasing capacity, or defending? 
• Stabilization(3 points): Will the $20,000 gift be used to increase the likelihood of sustainability and stabilization for the organization?

Please note, the Swift Gifts fund is for active Bold Solutions Network members only. External applications will automatically be deemed ineligible. If you have any questions about the process, please email Vernon Smith at vsmith@leverforchange.org for assistance.