Civic Right Fund: 2026 Elections and Civic Culture RFP

Funding for conservative-led efforts strengthening trusted elections and civic culture in communities across America.

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About Civic Right Fund

Civic Right Fund (CRF) strengthens the local and civic infrastructure, principled leadership, and trusted institutions required for a durable, authentically conservative movement.

The mission of CRF is to build and sustain a vibrant, authentically conservative movement that champions trusted elections, principled leadership, and civic culture essential for self-governance all rooted in constitutional principles and a commitment to preserving American institutions for future generations.

CRF envisions a future where conservatives lead confidently for democracy — defending fair elections, modeling integrity in public life, and rebuilding civic trust in communities across America.

CRF exists to make integrity-driven leadership and civic trust the norm — not the exception — in conservative politics. By supporting and connecting funders, leaders, and ideas that strengthen democracy from the right, we will help restore confidence in America’s institutions and model the integrity necessary for the renewal of our democratic republic.

Learn more about the 2026 RFP below.

In its inaugural grant cycle, CRF received:

  • 37 proposals from 18 states

  • Selected 10 projects across 11 states

  • Disbursed $460,000 in catalytic funding

About this RFP

Civic Right Fund invites proposals from conservative-led 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored projects to apply.

  • Application Open: December 2, 2025

  • Application Deadline: January 15, 2026 (midnight ET)

  • Funding Decisions Announced: Late February / Early March 2026

  • Funds Disbursed: No later than end of April 2026

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  • We are seeking to invest in projects that help ensure free, fair, and trusted elections in 2026, especially in conservative communities. Examples include:

    • Supporting state and local elections administrators to prepare for and respond to disruptions before, during, and after Election Day.

    • Preparing trusted conservative messengers and leaders to communicate accurately about election processes and model responsible behavior.

    • Developing networks of election officials and conservative validators who promote fact-based, trust-building narratives.

    • Connecting election administrators to legislators, commentators, and influencers who speak to right-leaning audiences about elections in constructive ways.

    • Other innovative, conservative-led approaches to building confidence in local elections.

  • Projects that build a healthier civic culture and deeper understanding of America’s constitutional framework in conservative communities. Examples include:

    • Growing and cultivating principled conservative leadership at the local and state levels.

    • Empowering communities to identify problems and work toward solutions that prioritize civic responsibility.

    • Bridging divides between elites and other Americans, or rural-urban population divides.

    • Developing civics education infrastructure or programming that promotes the rights and duties of citizenship in our constitutional republic.

    • Building responsive local civic institutions rooted in democratic norms and conservative values.

  • We encourage applications from:

    • State and local 501(c)(3) organizations

    • Fiscally sponsored projects

    Ideal applicants:

    • Engage conservative constituencies who can influence policymaking, legal processes, or public opinion.

    • Promote policies, behaviors, and norms that are the backbone of a free, fair, and trusted elections system.

    • Pursue innovative ideas to improve civic culture and strengthen local institutions over time.

    CRF generally supports small-to-medium-sized organizations (including start-ups) and new projects within larger institutions.

    Note: CRF does not make grants to governmental entities.

    • Typical grant size: $25,000 – $100,000

    • CRF will also consider smaller and larger funding requests where justified.

    • Grants are one-time and catalytic; project activities do not all need to conclude within 12 months.

    In addition to funding, CRF grantees may receive:

    • Connections to other leaders in the conservative elections and democracy ecosystem

    • Access to a moderated community forum hosted by Civic Right

    • Strategic planning support

    • Communications and storytelling support (including research, polling, media training, and messaging assistance)

    • Fundraising guidance and resource/tool development

  • Applications are evaluated with guidance from the Civic Right Fund Advisory Board based on:

    • Alignment with RFP objectives – Clear explanation of how the project advances trusted elections in 2026 and/or strengthens civic culture and constitutional learning in conservative communities.

    • State and local impact – Likely impact at state or local levels, and, where relevant, potential to scale or influence beyond the immediate community.

    • Strength of the team – Demonstrated ability of project staff to carry out the work, including experience and credibility in conservative or center-right spaces.

    • Opportunity for catalytic support – Whether CRF support could materially accelerate the project’s trajectory.

    • Innovation and contribution to the broader conservative civic ecosystem – The degree to which the project tests new approaches or fills critical gaps in the conservative civic ecosystem.

  • Applicants can expect to learn of funding decisions by late February or early March 2026. Funds will be disbursed no later than the end of April 2026.

 Additional FAQs

    • Applications Open: December 2, 2025

    • Application Deadline: January 15, 2026 (midnight ET)

    • Funding Decisions Announced: Late February / early March 2026

    • Funds Disbursed: No later than end of April 2026

  • CRF accepts applications from 501(c)(3) organizations, fiscally sponsored projects, and collaborations led by nonprofit entities working at the state or local level. New projects housed within larger organizations are also eligible.

  • No. CRF does not make grants to governmental entities (e.g., state or local agencies, election offices, etc.). Government partners can, however, be collaborators on projects led by eligible nonprofit organizations.

  • CRF focuses on efforts that engage conservative constituencies and operate within or adjacent to the conservative ecosystem. Projects should be led by organizations and leaders who are credible with right-leaning audiences and are working to strengthen trusted elections, civic culture, and constitutional norms in those communities.

  • No. CRF welcomes proposals from organizations across the United States, with a strong emphasis on state and local work. National organizations may apply if they are leading projects with clear, grounded impact in specific states or communities.

  • Most grants will range from $25,000 to $100,000. CRF will also consider smaller and larger requests where justified by the scope and potential impact of the work.

  • Grants are generally considered one-time and catalytic, but project activities do not need to be fully complete within 12 months of receiving funding. CRF is interested in projects that lay groundwork for durable, longer-term work.

  • In most cases, we ask organizations to prioritize their strongest, most aligned project and submit a single proposal. In unusual circumstances (e.g., distinct projects in different states), organizations may reach out to discuss exceptions before submitting multiple applications.

  • Yes. CRF welcomes collaborative proposals when they clearly identify a lead 501(c)(3) applicant and the respective roles of each partner. Coalitions can be especially strong when they combine policy, communications, grassroots, and institutional expertise.

  • Beyond implementing their proposed work, CRF grantees are expected to:

    • Participate in check-in calls with CRF staff and advisors to share learnings, challenges, and opportunities.

    • Attend relevant CRF/Civic Right convenings (with travel covered for up to two staff members).

    • Join quarterly video calls with other grantees.

    • Take advantage of optional support (strategic planning, communications, fundraising, and connections).

    Submit a final report within 60 days of the grant period’s end, summarizing activities, impact, lessons learned, and use of funds.

  • Yes. Reasonable personnel costs and indirect costs are eligible, provided they are clearly explained in the project budget and proportionate to the scope of work. The budget narrative is a good place to briefly describe how the requested funds will be used.

  • CRF is a 501(c)(3)-aligned philanthropic vehicle and cannot support:

    • Electoral campaign activity or candidate endorsements

    • Purely partisan activities

    • Work that falls outside the scope of trusted elections or civic culture and constitutional stewardship.

    CRF also does not fund governmental entities directly.

  • Grantees are required to submit a final report summarizing key activities, outcomes, lessons learned, and use of funds no later than 60 days after the conclusion of the grant period. CRF will provide a report template.

  • In addition to funding, CRF may offer:

    • Strategic planning consultations

    • Communications and storytelling support

    • Fundraising guidance

    • Connections to other leaders, grantees, and partners

    • Access to closed networking communities 

Questions?

For questions about eligibility, alignment, or the application process, please contact: fund@civicright.org