We want to work with you to increase the impact and effectiveness of your issue campaign by providing resources to help you be successful. As a recipient of a Campus Progress Action Grant, you are eligible for funding, support from Campus Progress / Center for American Progress staff, access to our wide variety of organizing workshops and trainings, and contact with policy experts on your particular issue.

Campus Progress offers grants of $200 to $1,000 to students working on innovative and hard-hitting educational and advocacy campaigns. We want to help students leverage their passion, creativity, ideas, and organizing talents to create progressive change on their campuses and in their communities. Whether it's to promote clean energy on your campus; advocate for a living wage at your school or in your state; fight genocide in Sudan; etc., we want to help!

Check out some of the great campaigns we have helped with so far, and apply for an Action Grant now!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much financial assistance should I request?

Be reasonable! Action Grants range from $200-$1,000, so don’t request $10,000. Creating hundreds of “Free Willy” t-shirts is not the most cost-effective way to save the whales.

Can Campus Progress help with my event?

Yes. Campus Progress can help with your events by finding speakers, funding their travel, providing films to screen, assisting with publicity and refreshments, and giving advice through out the planning process. Click here to request assistance from the Campus Progress Events Team.
Action grants are not given for individual events, however. You should apply for an action grant to fund an issue campaign on your campus. This campaign may, of course, include events as a tactic, but there should be a larger goal, a strategy for how to achieve it, and (in almost all cases) other tactics employed.

When should I apply for an Action Grant? How long does the process take?

Action Grants take at least three weeks to review, and even after you receive notice that we have approved the grant, it can take some time before you receive a check. If you want to double check that your application is being processed, or have any questions about the Action Grant program, email actiongrants@americanprogress.org.

What if I don’t meet all of the eligibility requirements?

If your organization falls outside of one of the eligibility requirements, make sure to explain why we should make an exception. Remember that all grants must be compatible with 501(C)(3) rules, which can include campaigns on ballot initiatives, legislation; changing school policies, etc., but never partisan or electoral candidate activities.

If my student organization is awarded an Action Grant, who will receive the check?

We strongly prefer to make the check out to your student organization’s bank account. Not having one does not disqualify you, but it is strongly encouraged. If necessary, we can send the check to an individual who will manage the funds for the organization, but we will require strict accounting for expenditures. Grants are always awarded to student organizations, not individuals.

Are Action Grants just about money?

No. Campus Progress is interested in helping your campaign however we can. We can help you put on events, plan your campaign, train members of your organization, help you with publicity and media, connect you with experts and relevant organizations, and more. Although there will be plenty of opportunities to ask for these other resources if you receive a grant, it is always a good idea to let us know what kind of support you are looking for when you apply.

The Action Grant isn’t enough to pay for our campaign. What should I do?

Remember that there are many ways to fundraise, such as applying for funding from student government, holding benefit concerts or bake sales, and asking interested members of the community. Campus Progress may be able to meet some of your needs, but you should always look for ways to use the resources already at your disposal.
Developing a good fundraising strategy can be vital to the success of your organization.

My group is a chapter of a national organization. Does it still qualify for a grant?

Unfortunately, Campus Progress does not regularly give Action Grants to chapters of national or regional organizations. We have made some exceptions, so if you feel like there is a compelling reason why we should make an exception let us know. If there is a coalition of organizations working on the campaign on your campus, however, this coalition may qualify for a grant.

What issues does Campus Progress give Action Grants for?

If it is a progressive cause that students care about, we will consider it so long as it is consistent with our 501 (c)(3) tax policy. This means that if your campaign has to do with electoral politics or is partisan (in the sense of being coordinated by, with, or for a political party), we will not be able to help.

My student organization is not based in the United States, is it still eligible?

Unfortunately, no. Campus Progress has limited resources, and is focusing its attention on the United States. We do accept applications from all US territories, states, and federal districts.

One of my classmates is running for City Council, and we formed an organization to support her. Do we qualify for an Action Grant?

Unfortunately, no. While we love to see students getting involved in all parts of the political process, we cannot get involved in electoral or partisan politics. We are able to help students working on some ballot initiatives, however.

Are Action Grants available to student groups working on ballot initiatives?

Yes, provided that the organization and campaign is non-partisan and that the group is not simultaneously working on an electoral campaign.

How have students used Action Grant funds?

Students have used their Campus Progress Action grants in order to:

• Buy basic supplies, like clipboards, sidewalk chalk, copies, and poster board
• Purchase on-campus advertising, Facebook flyers, and other inexpensive forms of paid media
• Create displays on campus to educate student on their issues
• Acquire sweatshop-free clothes to use in a “sweat-free fashion show,” and then resell the clothes to fundraise for the campaign
• Make stickers, pins, banners, and other promotional materials for the campaign
• Pay for web hosting and other online services
• Purchase reusable water bottles and sell them on campus to fundraise for rainwater collection projects abroad, and raise awareness about the environmental impacts of commercially bottled water
• Cover costs related to events (more on events)
• Pay tabling fees at conferences and other events to recruit for and publicize the campaign