Neighborhood Opportunity Grants
As HLF works to align our grantmaking this year, our 2025 grant processes will be invitation only. Current grantees will be prioritized, and information will be sent about application timelines to invited applicants. HLF’s grantmaking timelines and guidelines for 2026 will be shared in Fall 2025. You may reach out with questions or to share information with HLF staff at any time throughout the year at info@healthylakewoodfoundation.org.
Neighborhood Opportunity Grants support community-based projects and initiatives in Lakewood. These are small, accessible grants that support meaningful projects at the hyperlocal level in Lakewood. Through this funding, HLF seeks to support local efforts that:
- Build and support community engagement through activities, events, programming, and/or resource sharing.
- Address one or more social determinants of health.
- Advance our understanding of the needs of community members through innovative and creative projects.
HLF’s grantmaking is focused on addressing the social determinants of health. We believe that the conditions of our community impact our health and well-being. We also believe that local groups have ideas and solutions to advance the health of our community. This funding seeks to support those creative ideas.
If you have never received HLF funding before, please email sharon@healthylakewoodfoundation.org. We are here to support you through this process; please reach out with any questions.
Grant amount
Grants range in size from $1,000 – $7,500 per year.
Grant duration
Grant funding will be available for up to one full calendar year.
Questions?
Applications should demonstrate and will be considered based on the following:
- Clarity – the group has a concise and clear explanation of what the project is and how it will be implemented.
- Feasibility – the group has a reasonable timeline and budget for implementing the project.
- Lakewood-Serving – Lakewood residents or Lakewood-based institutions are directly served as key beneficiaries of the project.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion are incorporated into the project plan.
- Learning – there is a plan for tracking and sharing the learning from this project within the group and with the Foundation.
⇒ Lakewood-based and Lakewood-serving:
→ Non-profits
→ Fiscally sponsored groups and individuals (please reach out to an HLF staff member to learn more about fiscal sponsorships)
→ Eligible grant seeking organizations do not need to be headquartered in Lakewood. However, HLF supports programs and projects in which Lakewood residents or Lakewood-based institutions are either key beneficiaries or directly served. Additionally, Lakewood based groups are given top priority.
Note: Even if your organization has applied and/or been awarded for funding from one of HLF’s other grantmaking programs, you may apply for a Neighborhood Opportunity Grant as well.
We do NOT fund:
→ Capital campaigns
→ Fundraising events
→ Lobbying
→ Scholarships
→ Religious organizations for evangelical or religious purposes – HLF considers funding to faith-based organizations for program or project expenses related to providing a benefit to the community beyond its own membership. We do not fund operations, staffing, or overhead costs of these organizations.
For Invited Applicants:
September 2, 2025: Application period open
September 26, 2025: Application period closed
October 6 to October 24, 2025: Virtual meetings with select applicants
November 30, 2025: Funding awards announced
Support: Please email sharon@healthylakewoodfoundation.org with questions.
⇒ Register and complete HLF’s online grant application that requests:
→ Information about your group or organization.
→ A description of your project, including:
• How you will do the work.
• Who will be impacted/served by your project.
• What you seek to learn and accomplish.
• A simple budget that explains the costs of your project.
→ Any relevant supplemental materials.
→ Applications must be submitted through our online portal.
→ You may be asked to meet with HLF staff and board members to discuss your application.
Other things to know:
⇒ We are here to help! Please email us at sharon@healthylakewoodfoundation.org for assistance or to set up a meeting time to discuss your application.
⇒ Be prepared to start the approved project/program in a timely manner to ensure completion within 12 months of the approval date.
⇒ Be prepared to provide updates on the project to HLF staff and board members.
⇒ Act as a responsible steward of the funding as well as an ambassador to the community.
⇒ Provide feedback on application and funding the grant process.
⇒ Be prepared to share ideas with other funded groups and identify areas of synergy and shared impact.
The Healthy Lakewood Foundation does not fund organizations that in their constitution, by-laws or practices discriminate against a person or group on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious beliefs.