Share the Spirit Grant

The Share the Spirit campaign’s purpose is to 1) illuminate the needs of residents in the local community; 2) generate interest and awareness of nonprofit service agencies and encourage civic philanthropy; 3) provide funding for programs that serve East Bay children, individuals, and families.

The best topics are timely and relevant. For 2022, Share the Spirit will consider all submissions and is looking for stories that touch on current issues and events, including but not limited to: systemic racism - improving inclusiveness, deconstructing traditional systems to improve equity, etc.; COVID19 - impact, recovery, changes to/new services offered, public safety; houselessness and the issues for those in the area who are unsheltered; community voices - adding to advocacy, education, collaboration on current issues, celebrating diversity and equity; climate change.

Share the Spirit will consider grant requests for:

• Existing programs, expansion of programs, and projects that are time-limited in nature
• New programs/organizations that demonstrate clear and relevant goals.
• Programs and educational activities that seek to build capacity. 

The Share the Spirit program is interested in funding initiatives/organizations that:

•  Provide excellent story topics to highlight good work of individuals and/or organizations, with special consideration given to submissions with specific program participants willing to be interviewed by Bay Area News Group/East Bay Times.
• Expose readers/influencers to community needs and specific populations
• Represent diverse populations and geographic areas within Alameda or Contra Costa Counties.
• Create meaningful impact for residents of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, and reflect well on the nonprofit sector. 
  
• Address priority areas including systemic racism, climate change, unsheltered residents, food insecurity, community activism

Beginning prior to Thanksgiving Day and continuing through early January each year, the Bay Area News Group publishes a series of Share the Spirit stories illustrating specific community needs and offering readers a direct opportunity to make donations. Readers’ donations allow Share the Spirit to grant funds to support many varying community needs like assisting veterans with financial and job assistance programs, sleeping bags and showers for people who are unsheltered, holiday gifts for children in foster care, and much more in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. A good story should be compelling, unique, emotional, and relatable. For samples of previous stories visit story archives: http://www.sharethespiriteastbay.org/stories/

For information about interviews and extended media, see: https://www.sharethespiriteastbay.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/STS-Grant-Program-Overview-2022.pdf#page=3

• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)