2026-27 Regional Collaboration Grant Application

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Purpose

Regional Collaboration Grants are intended to strengthen local and regional ecosystems for civic and community engagement by supporting collaboration among Campus Compact member institutions, community-based organizations, and other interested co-located non-member partners to address shared challenges and advance collective impact.

Campus Compact is a national coalition, but many of the challenges we seek to address are experienced locally and require local solutions. The goal of this grant program is to spark enduring regional collaboration. Seed funding enables members to build relationships, strengthen regional networks, test innovative approaches, and lay the foundation for future partnerships and investment.

The intent is not to create a permanent funding stream for ongoing programs. Rather, the grants should help institutions build relationships, test ideas, and develop the capacity necessary to sustain promising work over time.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with a strong preference for submissions received on or by September 30, 2026. 


Eligibility
  • Institutional Membership: Applicants must be from a Campus Compact member institution in good standing (e.g. dues paid for the upcoming year).
  • Co-Applicant: All applications must include a co-applicant who is also from a Campus Compact member institution. (e.g. dues paid for the upcoming year).
  • Applicant Role: The lead and co-applicants must have clear institutional affiliations and be current faculty, staff, or administrators at the institutions that hold the Campus Compact Membership.
  • Participation: Participation in the projects supported by this grant need not be restricted to Campus Compact member institutions. In fact, we encourage applicants to invite participation from across their regional contexts. Student participation is also encouraged.
  • Collaboration: Meaningful collaboration with community-based organizations or other regional partners is strongly encouraged.
Grant Tiers
  • Tier 1: Planning & Networking Development Grant (up to $1,500)
  • Tier 2: Capacity-Building & Implementation Grant ($1,501-$5,000)
Funding Priorities
  • Strengthen Regional Networks & Long-Term Partnerships
  • Address Local Manifestations of National Challenges
  • Create Opportunities for Shared Learning Across Institutions
Directions

The application consists of three deliverables: this application, a grant proposal, and a budget. The full RFP as well as the program and budget templates are linked below.

Please complete this online application. At the end, you'll be invited to upload your project proposal and budget as .pdf documents.

Proposal Application Materials
Application Information
Required: This information is required whenever individuals at colleges/universities are the primary audience for your form.
Required: This information is required. Please change the text to the appropriate application type [options > placeholder]. It is hidden from end users.

Please confirm the Application Type, Program Cohort Name, and Program Name with Membership.

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Institutional Membership

Both the Primary and Co - Applicant must be from a Campus Compact member institution in good standing (e.g. dues paid for the upcoming year). Check your member status here. The lookup includes, when available, your institution's primary liaison to Campus Compact (aka, Campus Champion). Champions will be notified of grant submissions. 


Primary Applicant Institution
Section Description
Select "Remote/Hybrid" if your organization is not based in a specific State/Province.
Choose the correct organization from the dropdown. If not listed, select "Not Listed" and type the name in the dialogue box that appears below.
Primary Applicant Campus Champion
Required: This information is required and is pulled directly from Salesforce. It is hidden from end users.
Co-Applicant Institution
Select "Remote/Hybrid" if your organization is not based in a specific State/Province.
Choose the correct organization from the dropdown. If not listed, select "Not Listed" and type the name in the dialogue box that appears below.
Co-Applicant Campus Champion
Membership Required
An active Campus Compact membership is required for both participating institutions for this program. 
Pending Renewal Membership

A membership status of Pending Renewal means that your (and/or the Co-Applicant's) institution was a Campus Compact member in FY26, but we have not yet received your FY27 membership dues. To be eligible for this grant, both institution’s FY27 membership dues must be paid and current.

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Primary Applicant Contact Information
Section Description
Please do not remove any of the required questions in this section from your application. These are designed to help us build out profiles on the people involved in our programs.
The lead and co-applicants must have clear institutional affiliations and be current faculty, staff, or administrators at the institutions that hold the Campus Compact Membership. Please select the options that most accurately describes your current role.
Co-Applicant Contact Information
Section Description
Please do not remove any of the required questions in this section from your application. These are designed to help us build out profiles on the people involved in our programs.
The lead and co-applicants must have clear institutional affiliations and be current faculty, staff, or administrators at the institutions that hold the Campus Compact Membership. Please select the options that most accurately describes your current role.

Page 3: Project Overview

Proposed Project Title
Alignment with Funding Priorities
Grant Tier & Amount
Your application packet will also include a more detailed budget. For administrative purposes, please also indicate here the amount you're requesting for the project.
Campus Compact Partnership
Applicants may request tier-specific technical assistance from Campus Compact to strengthen their project. Below, please indicate where assistance would be valuable. 

Please note that requested support will be discussed with grant recipients and is subject to Campus Compact staff capacity and availability.
Tier 1 Applicants
Tier 2 Applicants

Uploads

Application Steps & Deliverables
Campus Compact aims to keep application requirements proportional to the amount of funding requested. All applicants will provide the core information needed to understand the proposed collaboration. Tier 2 applicants will provide additional detail appropriate to the large investment and scope of work.
Requirements for All Applicants:

  1. Project Overview that includes basic information about your project, including the title, funding tier, applicant and co-applicant, etc. 
  2. Regional Opportunity & Proposed Collaboration Description outlining the opportunity, challenge, or need you seek to address.
  3. Brief description of the funding priority your project advances. 
  4. Statement on Continued Collaboration describing what you hope happens after the grant-funded activity is complete. 
  5. List of Collaborators 
  6. Simple Budget
Additional Requirements for Tier 2 Applicants

  1. Expanded Project Narrative describing what you hope to accomplish and why regional collaboration is the right approach. (max 500 words)
  2. Project Design & Collaboration Matrix to provide reviewers with a clear, organized snapshot of your project. 
  3. Budget Narrative explaining how the proposed expenses support the activities and goals of the project. (max 250 words)

Please keep in mind the following allowable use of funds when drafting your simple budget and budget narrative:

  • Convenings and meetings

  • Facilitation and speakers

  • Stipends for students and/or community partners (should not exceed 30% of entire grant budget)

  • Travel directly related to the project

  • Planning and partnership development

  • Communications and shared resource development

  • Materials and supplies

  • Indirect costs and alcohol are not allowable expenses.

Application Materials Upload
Please submit your application materials in a PDF format
Both institutions must be current members of Campus Compact to submit this application