A new funding opportunity is available this fall for Des Moines-based nonprofits. The Microsoft Community Empowerment Fund will look to fund projects that promote social, economic, and civic equity in the Des Moines area.
Funded projects must fall into one or more of the below priority funding categories:
- Digital Literacy: Provide skills and resources to improve digital literacy and increase digital participation in the economy
- Environmental Sustainability: Invest in projects that improve the community environment and teach sustainable lifestyle skills
- Workforce Development: Help build skills to enable participation in the 21st-century economy, inclusive of digital and trade skills and helping underserved groups
The program will ofter two types of funds for qualifying organizations/non-profits that serve constituents in the region of Des Moines:
Community Small Projects for requests up to $10,000. These funds are aimed at supporting small projects that contribute to the immediate needs of the community. For example: Support a nonprofit to be energy efficient and climate neutral by upgrading the current building infrastructure.
Community Large Projects for requests from $10,000 to $30,000. These funds are aimed at supporting large-scale projects that contribute to community social, economic, or environmental outcomes.
The deadline for receiving applications is September 25, 2020. Awards will be announced by November 30, 2020.
