This year, Arbor Rising is welcoming applications from eligible nonprofits across the continental United States through an open call process.
Our selection process runs over the summer and includes the following rounds: a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), a written application, a virtual conversation, and an in-person site visit. Final decisions from Arbor Rising’s staff and board are anticipated in mid-October. We expect to select 4-6 new grantees this cycle, helping form a total portfolio of 16-18 organizations.
To be considered for the 2026 grant cycle, LOIs must be submitted by Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Partnership structure
Arbor Rising partnerships typically involve a three-year investment which includes both financial contributions and consulting support. During each year of engagement, we invest additional money and time, helping to strengthen grantee capacity in critical areas such as outcomes measurement, financial planning, and performance management.
Financial support
New grantees entering the Arbor Rising portfolio in 2026 will receive an initial grant of $125,000. This grant is unrestricted and distributed immediately following selection.
While funding is renewed one year at a time—historically more than 90% of grantees have received support for three years—with annual renewal grants typically ranging from $150,000–$175,000.​
Consulting engagement
During each grant year, we invest 200–300 hours per year working closely with each Executive Director on a mutually-agreed project central to driving improved organizational outcomes.
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Grantees, in turn, typically spend 4–6 hours of meeting time and 4–8 hours of homework time per month on these capacity-strengthening projects.
Our grant package
We provide support tailored to the second stage of nonprofit organizations: flexible, multi-year capital alongside deep, consulting support.
In each of these projects, we work with grantees to co-develop customized tools, deliverables, and plans—nothing comes off the proverbial shelf. The work is geared toward strengthening grantee capacity in key areas such as:
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Strategy Development: theory of change, earned-income strategies, and growth plans
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Financial Management: true cost accounting and projecting multi-year budgets
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Data Analysis: quantifying metrics, developing tracking systems, and program evaluation
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Stakeholder Optimization: staff performance management, executive coaching, and board development
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This capacity-strengthening work is central to the Arbor Rising value proposition, and organizations without a strong interest in this aspect of the grant should not apply. As prospective applicants weigh the potential value of this significant time investment, we encourage them to review Arbor Rising's track record of impact, hear from prior grantees about their experience, contemplate our commitment to equity, and peruse our annual grantee survey results.
Eligibility
Arbor Rising supports nonprofit organizations that are:
Building pathways out of poverty
Organizational models that create meaningful opportunities for low-income individuals to achieve economic mobility, most often in the fields of education or job training
High-potential
Committed and diverse leadership teams employing a model which has produced (or is on track to produce) meaningful outcomes for program participants
Second-stage
Operating an observable program with clearly defined, trackable outcomes, and a demonstrated interest in strengthening organizational performance
(AR's median incoming grantee is five years old with a $1.2M budget.)
From 2011 to 2024, we partnered exclusively with organizations serving participants in the NY-NJ-CT region. Since then, we have accepted qualified applicants from across the continental United States, though we prioritize those serving under-resourced populations in the greater NYC metro area.
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Additional requirements
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501(c)(3) status or be fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization
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Based in and operate within the lower 48 states
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Operating as an organization for at least 2 years and no more than 15 years
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At least four full-time, paid staff members (FTE)
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An annual local budget of more than $500,000 and less than $3,000,000, except:
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Organizations less than five years old with budgets exceeding $3,000,000; or​
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Schools and school networks with overall budgets up to $30,000,000 that are launching or growing programs which advance student outcomes
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Exclusions from grant consideration
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For-profit entities​
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Individuals, scholarships, or endowments
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Political parties
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Sectarian entities (religious, political or ideological in nature) whose services are limited to a particular sect or who require participants to adhere to specific dogma, political point of view or religious practice in order to receive services
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Advocacy-only organizations
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Broad multi-service community agencies
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Local or regional affiliates or chapters of national organizations
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Re-application guidelines
Organizations that have applied for Arbor Rising funding in the past are eligible to re-apply. That said, those that have repeatedly applied (especially in the last five years) are less likely to be competitive unless they have new leadership and/or have undergone significant programmatic changes.
Process and timeline
Key milestones for the 2026 open call include:
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Early June: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) due.
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Late June: Notification about advancement to the next stage.
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Late July: Written application due.
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August: Virtual meetings with semi-finalist organizations.
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September: In-person program site visits with finalist organizations.
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Mid-October: Grant awards announced, initial funds disbursed, and consulting engagements launched.
Specific dates and instructions are provided in the 2026 LOI.
Selection
After an initial eligibility screen, our selection process has four stages: a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), a written application, a 90-minute virtual meeting with each applicant’s management team, and an in-person 2–3-hour site visit. Incremental demands on applicants’ time in each stage are intended to be commensurate with their increased likelihood of entering the portfolio. Arbor Rising's staff and board evaluate all applicants and ultimately select grantees.
Shared mission
A strong application will describe a clear mission that addresses an opportunity gap – somewhere from cradle to career – that limits economic mobility. Are the organizational goals appropriately ambitious and clearly defined? Are target outcomes specified and measurable?
Strong leadership
The application and interviews with management shed light on the leader’s desire to adapt and grow. What kind of commitment to the organization have they demonstrated? Does management have a record of achievement? Is management curious and motivated to improve the organization?
Effective program
A strong application will also explain how the organizational model, typically in the fields of education or job training, gives program participants a feasible path to achieving the target outcomes. Can the organization achieve these outcomes efficiently over time?
Needs alignment
Additionally, management interviews suggest the degree to which consulting support might help address the organization’s most pressing challenges. What is holding the organization back? How might resolving these challenges increase efficiency or impact? Is Arbor Rising equipped to add value?
What we look for
The most competitive applicants build a clear and compelling case around each of these aspects within the framework of our application process.
