NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants 2024 Frequently Asked Questions

Please note: Our Project Innovation grant program is now NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants

Eligibility

Q. Can fiscally sponsored organizations apply?  

Yes, fiscally Sponsored organizations are welcome to apply. If you are a fiscally sponsored organization, please work with your fiscal sponsor to complete the application.   

Q. My organization has yet to file a 990, are we eligible?

A 990 form is required to apply for the NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants. If you are a fiscally sponsored organization, your fiscal sponsor will need to upload their 990 form. 

Q. My organization's total expenses fell short of $100,000, is there any way we can still apply?

The organization must have total expenses between $100,000 and $1,000,000 to apply for the NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants.

Q. If my organization is located near an NBC and/or Telemundo station and serves the zip codes listed in the eligibility criteria, is my organization eligible to apply?

The address listed on the organization's 990 must be located within one of 11 participating NBCUniversal Local designated market areas (DMA) to apply for a NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants. Please see a list of participating zip codes HERE.

Q. My organization has been in existence and in operation for less than one year, but will have hit the one-year mark in April 2024, is my organization eligible?

The organization must have been in existence for at least one year from the date you submitted the application. Applications close at 7:59:59 PM ET Friday, April19, 2024.

Q. Can my school's foundation apply for a grant?

All schools, educational institutions and their affiliated fundraising entities and foundations (including pre-school, elementary, secondary and universities) are not eligible to apply. Fiscally sponsored schools are not eligible.

Q. My organization doesn't fall into one of the three (3) categories, can I apply in an "other" category?

This program is only awarding grants in the following three focus areas: Youth Education and Empowerment, Next Generation Storytellers, and Community Engagement.

Q. My organization has received $5,000 annually from Comcast NBCUniversal, can we apply for this program?

Yes. If your organization has received less than $10,000 in cash or grant funding per year within any of the past three (3) years from Comcast NBCUniversal, or an NBC and Telemundo owned television station you are eligible to apply.

Q. My organization is affiliated with a national organization that has received more than $10,000 in cash or grant funding from Comcast NBCUniversal, or an NBC and Telemundo owned television stations in the past three (3) years, but not my local chapter. Is my local chapter eligible?

We will verify any past support by your organization's Tax ID number. Each Tax ID number must not have received cash or grant funding from Comcast NBCUniversal or an NBC and Telemundo owned television station in an amount equal to or exceeding $10,000 per year, within any of the past three (3) years, regardless of the program.

Q. My organization won a Project Innovation grant a few years ago. Can we apply for this grant program

Organizations that won a Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation grant between 2012 and 2021are eligible to apply this year if they fall within the eligibility criteria.

Q. If my organization won a Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation grant (such as a Project Innovation or NBCUniversal Local Impact Grant) between 2022 and 2024 , am I eligible to apply for a NBCUniversal Local Impact Grant?

Organizations that won a Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation grant between 2022 and 2024 are not eligible to apply for this year's grant program.

Q. In the application portal, I am seeing "Not Eligible" instead of the "Create Application" button. What am I doing wrong?

Please read the instructions on the application portal – on the home page - to ensure you have taken the appropriate steps to confirm eligibility for the program.

Application

Q. I work for a nonprofit with multiple locations or chapters, how does my organization/local chapter apply?

NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants will only award one grant per Tax ID number, across all 11 markets. If your organization shares a Tax ID number, please coordinate internally as only one application across all markets will be accepted for consideration as a finalist for a grant.

Q. How will my application be reviewed?

Judging consists of three rounds of evaluation. In round one, an initial review panel will assess the proposals and select the top finalists. They will be reviewed based on local community impact & programming input, mission & key activity alignment with the category selected, outcomes the organization is working towards, andoverall strength of the application as well as other criteria. The finalists will proceed to rounds two & three, where local NBC and Telemundo stations' selection panel will identify between three (3) and eight (8) winners in each participating market based on the overall soundness of the organization, tangible examples of impact & measurement and financial need as well as other criteria.  

Q. How will I be contacted about the status of my proposal?

The primary contact on all successfully submitted applications will receive an email notification in August 2024.

Q. I have forgotten my password for the application site. What should I do?

On the login page, click the "Forgot Password" link and provide your email address. You will receive an email to reset your password.