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Humanitarian Action Fund

Now Accepting Grant Applications

The Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance (KFLA) Humanitarian Action Fund is based on the principles of concern for human welfare and the alleviation of suffering. Humanitarian action must be carried out on the basis of need alone. Grants will be awarded based on the recognized values of humanity, responsiveness, feasibility and interdependence.

The Current Issue:

In our increasingly globalized world, the politics of borders and migration frequently eclipse humanitarian concerns. Often children and vulnerable communities are the most impacted.

For Instance: the Fund was conceived in 2014, when the number of unaccompanied children crossing the Southwest U.S. border surged to over 50,000. For these children—most of whom come from Guatemala, Honduras, or El Salvador—the primary reasons for migration are refuge from poverty, gang or cartel violence, or to seek family reunification.

The KFLA Humanitarian Action Fund is in place to assist Kellogg Fellows who are working on these issues in numerous ways across the globe. Fellows whose work addresses the humanitarian concerns of migration, immigration, and borders can apply to the Fund for small grants to support their efforts.

Initial funding was received from an anonymous donor’s $5,000 match grant. KFLA raised additional funds for a total of $20,000. The Fund will continue to be sustained through private donations.

Criteria:

Grantee must be a grassroots 501(c)3 public charity working on humanitarian issues, as identified in the Fund description
The recommending Kellogg Fellow or KFLA Executive Director MUST be involved in the organization, and take on a fiduciary responsibility for the grant in that they will submit a final report on behalf of the grantee.
Grant requests may be submitted year-round.
Grants may only be used for the organization’s programming needs, and may not be used for operating expenses.
The grant total may be up to, but no more than, $1,000 per request.

Process:

The submitting public charity must complete a brief application, and provide documentation of its 501(c)3 Public Charity status.
The Kellogg Fellow or KFLA Executive Director must submit the application and documentation along with a written recommendation as to why the nonprofit should be awarded a grant. The nonprofit cannot submit their own application.
All requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and on a rolling basis.
All requests will be reviewed by a committee comprised of one KFLA staff member, and two current or former KFLA board members.
Submitted applications will be reviewed within 14 days of receipt.
The KFLA staff member will notify the Kellogg Fellow and grantee, once a decision has been made.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN THE APPLICATION

Bonnie Braun (KNFP-06) at the Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance’s FORUM 2011

Bonnie Braun shares two stories of how connecting with KFLA has empowered her work

I am writing to share two recent stories of how the KFLA network helped me with two projects. Both of these stories are examples of ways I continue to benefit from the existence of the KFLA and why I continue to be involved with the KFLA and donate to its good work.

1—As Project Manager for the Cooperative Extension-Robert Woods Johnson Foundation Partnership, I was responsible for securing reviewers of applications to be part of a multi-year community engagement initiative designed to co-create a culture of health in multiple communities. I shared a call for reviewers with KFLA and within 36 hours I had four times the number of reviewers I needed. Such a quick and extensive response from Kellogg Fellows permitted us to select reviewers with a wide range of diverse characteristics and expertise.

The reviewers were conscientious and completed their reviews as requested. All provided comments to the applicants and feedback on the review process. Many provided critical thinking with enough explanation that we will be able to make the process even better going forward. Their positive comments about the initiative helped validate the vision for improving health of current and future generations expressed through the application process.

I was surprised how many reviewers thanked me for being part of what they saw as an exciting and important endeavor. And I was pleased that one, Wil Cwikiel (KNFP-15), thought the review process gave him ideas for actions he could do. With his permission, I’m sharing his comment:

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this program as a reviewer. As someone transitioning from a principal in a small rural/resort community to the superintendent/principal of a tiny remote/rural community, reviewing these applications helped me think about how I might be a catalyst for creating a culture of health in my new position.

2 — I met Angie Tagtow (FSPF-06), a Kellogg Fellow, during the design team meeting for an upcoming KFLA summit. I shared new research findings about a study of farmers and ranchers and their health and health care costs. The results are most timely as our nation considers health policy options. She guided me to agricultural journalists who have subsequently written about the study.

We are getting increasing coverage in multiple outlets. She has sent me copies of articles. I’m grateful for her assistance to another Fellow.

I thank Martha for all she does to keep the KFLA moving forward. Her stewardship to the vision of the fellowship programs is another testament to the power of the investment of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and others who believe in leadership as a tool of strengthening communities and nations. 

Humanitarian Action Fund

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN THE APPLICATION

Bonnie Braun shares two stories of how connecting with KFLA has empowered her work

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