Funding & support guidelines

pressfwd is intentionally multidisciplinary. We recognize that meaningful ideas and community impact can take many forms.

Arts, culture & creativity

• Visual and performing arts
• Film, photography, music, and storytelling
• Design and creative production
• Cultural programs and experiences
• Creative education
• Projects that preserve, celebrate, or expand access to culture

Youth & education

• Youth development
• Educational enrichment
• Literacy and learning
• Mentorship
• College and career readiness
• Workshops and skill development
• School and community-based educational initiatives

STEM & innovation

• Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics initiatives
• Coding, robotics, and technology education
• Digital literacy
• Innovation and invention
• Maker programs
• Access to technology and equipment
• STEM opportunities for communities with limited access

Sports & wellness

• Youth and community sports
• Sports-based mentorship and development
• Fitness and movement programs
• Equipment and participation access
• Leadership development through athletics
• Programs using sports to strengthen communities

Mental wellness & community care

• Mental health awareness and education
• Mental wellness programming
• Peer and community support initiatives
• Programs addressing stress, resilience, confidence, grief, or emotional well-being
• Wellness resources and educational programming
• Initiatives working to reduce stigma and improve access to appropriate support

pressfwd does not provide clinical care or replace licensed medical or mental health professionals. Projects involving clinical services may be subject to additional eligibility, credentialing, or compliance requirements.

Entrepreneurship & economic opportunity

• Early-stage ideas
• Creative entrepreneurship
• Career and workforce development
• Financial literacy
• Skill-building
• Community-based business education
• Projects creating pathways to economic opportunity

Community & social impact

• Neighborhood initiatives
• Community events and programming
• Community-building projects
• Resource access
• Volunteer initiatives
• Projects addressing identifiable local needs
• Programs designed to strengthen connection, opportunity, and quality of life

These categories are not exhaustive. A project does not need to fit neatly into one category to be considered.

Depending on the specific opportunity, pressfwd may support:

• Individual creators and community builders
• Artists and storytellers
• Educators and mentors
• Coaches and youth leaders
• Students and emerging innovators
• Entrepreneurs
• Community groups
• Grassroots initiatives
• Eligible nonprofit and community organizations
• Collaborative projects

Applicants do not necessarily need to operate an established nonprofit or company unless a specific funding opportunity requires it.

Approved funding may be used for reasonable expenses directly related to the selected project or initiative, including:

• Materials and supplies
• Equipment and technology
• Program expenses
• Creative and professional services
• Software
• Educational resources
• Sports equipment
• STEM equipment and materials
• Space and venue costs
• Project-related transportation or travel
• Marketing and communications
• Workshops and training
• Community programming
• Other approved expenses necessary to move the project forward

pressfwd does not support:

• Political campaigns or candidates
• Partisan political activity
• Lobbying activities
• Hate, discrimination, harassment, or extremist activity
• Illegal activity
• Weapons or activities intended to cause harm
• Gambling
• Alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs
• Personal debt or debt repayment
• Fines, penalties, or legal judgments
• General personal expenses unrelated to an approved charitable project
• Projects promoting intentionally deceptive or harmful misinformation
• Activities that exploit, endanger, or discriminate against people or communities
• Requests without a reasonably identifiable charitable or community benefit

pressfwd may decline any request that conflicts with our mission, charitable purpose, legal obligations, available resources, or these guidelines.

Unless otherwise stated for a specific funding opportunity, selected recipients receive a flat $5,000 grant.

There is no matching requirement.

Applications are considered based on the idea, demonstrated need, feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with pressfwd's mission.

Submitting an application does not guarantee funding.

We look at five things:

Purpose

Why does this need to happen?

People

Who will benefit?

Plan

Is there a realistic way to make it happen?

Impact

What becomes possible if this receives support?

Alignment

Does it fit pressfwd's mission and charitable guidelines?

We are not simply looking for the biggest organization, most polished application, or person with the largest audience.

A good idea shouldn't have to already be successful to deserve a chance to move forward.

pressfwd also welcomes offers of useful goods, services, expertise, space, technology, equipment, and other resources.

Examples may include:

• Laptops and technology
• Cameras and creative equipment
• Art and school supplies
• STEM kits and equipment
• Sports equipment
• Printing and production
• Software licenses
• Professional services
• Mentorship and workshops
• Event or meeting space
• Transportation support
• Other resources connected to identified community needs

All resource offers are reviewed before acceptance.

pressfwd may decline resources that are unsafe, damaged, expired, unsuitable, unrelated to a current need, difficult to distribute responsibly, or inconsistent with our mission.

Companies, organizations, teams, schools, and community groups may partner with pressfwd to host approved resource drives.

Examples could include:

Back-to-school drives

School supplies, technology, and educational resources.

Creative supply drives

Art supplies, cameras, equipment, and creative tools.

STEM drives

Technology, robotics materials, science kits, and educational equipment.

Sports drives

Athletic equipment, uniforms, and participation resources.

Community care drives

Approved wellness, hygiene, household, or other identified essential resources.

pressfwd will work with participating partners to identify the actual community need before a drive begins.

Drives must be approved before the pressfwd name or branding is used.

Recipients may be required to provide reasonable documentation showing how funding was used and updates regarding the progress or outcome of supported work.

Significant changes to the intended use of an award may require approval.

pressfwd may require funds to be returned when an award was obtained through fraud or material misrepresentation or knowingly used for an expressly prohibited purpose.

Contributions help pressfwd advance its charitable mission across funding, resources, programming, and community support.

Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, contributions support pressfwd's charitable activities and do not give a donor control over the selection of a specific individual recipient.

Companies may also work with pressfwd through:

• Financial contributions
• Full or partial grant funding
• In-kind contributions
• Employee giving
• Employee volunteer engagement
• Community drives
• Professional services
• Program support
• Strategic partnerships

Corporate and organizational partners may request appropriate nonprofit documentation, including pressfwd's W-9 and IRS determination letter. Reach us at hello@pressfwd.org.

People. Purpose. Progress.

We believe meaningful progress can begin with an artist, a student, a coach, an educator, an entrepreneur, an inventor, a neighborhood leader, or simply someone with an idea worth believing in.

pressfwd exists to help give those ideas somewhere to go.

pressfwd reserves the right to modify these guidelines as programs, resources, legal requirements, and community needs evolve. Eligibility and funding decisions are subject to available resources, applicable law, pressfwd's charitable purpose, and final organizational review.