How to Apply
Brooklyn Org Spark Prize
The 2027 Application Cycle is Open March 3 – May 15, 2026
The 2027 Brooklyn Org Spark Prize Application Is Now Open
Each year, five nonprofits are selected to receive the $100,000 ‘no strings attached’ Brooklyn Org Spark Prize. The Prize is named for and informed by our mission to spark change for a fair and just Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Org Spark Prize application opens annually each Spring; finalists are announced in the Fall, and winners are announced in January of the following year.
Register for our application clinic webinar:
2026-27 Timeline
- Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Application Released
- Monday, March 30, 2026 at 12:00 PM: Brooklyn Org Spark Prize Application Clinic [Virtual]
- Friday, May 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM: Applications Due
- October 2026: Finalists Announced
- November – December 31 2026: Brooklyn Gives
- January 2027: Winners Announced
- March 2027: Brooklyn Org Spark Breakfast
Eligibility
Interested organizations must meet each of the following requirements:
- Serve people and communities of Brooklyn
- Be in operation for longer than five years
- Can show a minimum organizational budget of $200,000 for most recent fiscal year
- Have a 501c3 letter or a memorandum of understanding (MOU) from a fiscal sponsor
- Have an active governing body (i.e., Board of Trustees, Advisory Board, etc.)
- We encourage organizations that are not current Brooklyn Org grantees to apply, including those that applied for the Spark Prize in previous years (including finalists). Current BKO grantees are also eligible to apply. Former winners are not eligible to apply.
Please note that we do not fund the following:
- Individuals
- Capital campaigns,
- Schools (public, private, or charter, including PTAs)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What are you looking for in our application? Please provide a clear overview of your organization’s mission and its impact in the brief 200-word organization summary description. Applying organizations should be able to clearly address all application criteria in the Narrative in the space allotted. There are three Application Criteria that we would like you to detail within this word count: Born in Brooklyn, Commitment to Equity, and Vision for the Future.
- How do you assess commitment to equity? Brooklyn Org prioritizes organizations that understand how multiple systemic oppressions impact the lives of the people with whom they work.
- We are “born” in Brooklyn but our vision for the future is expanding beyond the borough. How does that impact our application? If your organization continues to serve Brooklyn and satisfies the other eligibility requirements, then you are eligible to apply. You can discuss your organization’s history in Brooklyn and your vision for your organization’s future in the Narrative. It is highly recommended that you highlight how your work in Brooklyn is part of the vision.
- If we are a current Brooklyn Org grantee, can we apply? Yes, current and past grantees are eligible to apply.
- Our program has been in operation longer than five years, but we just became a separate 501c3 entity more recently. Can we apply? Your organization can apply if it can demonstrate five years of nonprofit service in Brooklyn, either as an independent organization, under an umbrella organization or a fiscal sponsor. For 501c3 organizations that have spun off from umbrella nonprofits within the past five years, please detail that relationship in your application narrative. All applying organizations must provide their most recent 990 Form showing an operational budget of $200,000 or more. This award is not for emerging organizations.
- Is there a maximum operations budget for applying organizations? There is no maximum budget requirement, only a minimum.
- We are a national organization but have been operating in Brooklyn for more than five years and our fiscal sponsor is based in another city. Are we eligible? The Brooklyn Org Spark Prize is designed to honor organizations with a long history in Brooklyn. As such, all organizations that can demonstrate this are encouraged to apply, however the most competitive applications come from organizations that are founded and headquartered in Brooklyn.
- My organization has programming in Brooklyn but is based in Manhattan. Are we eligible? If your programs serve the people of Brooklyn and can satisfy the other eligibility requirements, including a deep history of programming in Brooklyn, you are eligible to apply.
- If we have a specific program that aligns with the Prize criteria, can we submit a project support request? Your organization can choose to focus your Narrative on a particular program or project if it specifically aligns with the criteria. However, if your organization is selected, funds will be awarded as general operating support.
- Can we submit videos, press clips or kits with our application? No, please do not send or attach videos, press clips, newsletters, or promotional materials. Any attachments other than those requested will not be reviewed and will be discarded.
- What does Brooklyn Gives entail? All applicants will be featured during our end-of-year fundraising campaign to encourage local donors to give to Brooklyn nonprofits that day. Brooklyn Org will provide support and guidance to help applicants maximize the Brooklyn Gives match and surrounding promotions. Brooklyn Org will match up to $5,000 per organization of funds raised during the giving period for the 20 finalists.
- If an organization is a Finalist, does the organization’s ability to raise the Brooklyn Gives match affect its chances in the final round? No, it will not affect the organization’s chances in the final round of selecting the winners
- What are expectations of Brooklyn Org Spark Prize winners?Brooklyn Org engages prize winners throughout their prize year to elevate their work. This includes working with Brooklyn Org staff on media and collateral, events featuring winning organizations, participation in our annual Volunteer Day, and much more. Winners submit a grantee report at the end of their year as well as touch base with BKO staff on occasion.