CITYWIDE

WHO CAN APPLY FOR CITYWIDE GRANTS

We prioritize projects designed and led by Trenton residents and people with lived experience related to the project.  All applicants must be able to demonstrate strong ties to Trenton

and be able to engage Trentonians in the work/project.

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Applicants are not required to have 501(c)3 nonprofit status. However, please note that grant funds are considered taxable income by the State of New Jersey and the IRS unless the recipient entity is tax-exempt. We also require a W9 with either an EIN or SSN to issue each grant. Grant recipients are responsible for all income reporting and all associated tax payments. We strongly encourage applicants who do not have 501(c)3 status to partner with a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that can serve as a fiscal sponsor for the project. 

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Note for larger organizations: I Am Trenton prioritizes projects led by residents and grassroots organizations. Large/established nonprofits or businesses may apply as applicable but are very unlikely to be funded unless it is for a very compelling project led by residents in the neighborhood, and a clear reason is presented why the organization cannot secure funding for the project from its regular sources.

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I Am Trenton reserves the right to disqualify an applicant that has not submitted satisfactory reports or complied with grant requirements in our other grant cycles. If you currently have an open grant, please talk to us (grants@iamtrenton.org) before applying.

 

CITYWIDE 2026 GRANT AMOUNTS

Applicants may request up to $7,500. We expect most grants to be between $1,000 to $5,000.

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SUMMARY OF GRANT PRIORITIES

Share the Best of Trenton

• Share Pride in Culture and Community

• Cross Sector Collaborations

• Addressing A Changing Environment

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be submitted through an online form via Monday using the "APPLY HERE" button below. 

In keeping with our goals to become more inclusive:

• We will accept applications in Spanish as well as English. 

• Applicants have the option of uploading their Project Details as a short written essay OR as a short video (a conversation with your camera, not a fancy production). Please see the application for details. 

 

WE DO NOT FUND

• Projects or organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

• Debt reduction or on-going operational support 

• Capital campaigns or fundraising events

• Re-granting programs

• Scholarships

• Partisan political activities, lobbying, or efforts to influence an election

• Religious activities such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytizing. Religious organizations can apply for non-denominational activities that are open to all and do not require participation in religious services.

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CITYWIDE 2026 APPLICATION TIMELINE

1. Pre - application workshops 

   1. First time applicants must attend a workshop

   2. Past grantees are strongly encouraged to attend

2. Application deadline - Applications are due onOctober 18th, 2026 at 11:59 Eastern Time. 

3. ​Notification of awards - We expect to notify applicants on whether their application was funded or not by December 7th, 2025. 

4. Check Presentation / gathering - We will give out checks to grantees at a gathering the week of December 14th, 2025. Details will be shared with grantees once finalized.

5. Grant activities should occur between January 1st, 2027 and December 31st, 2027.

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