NBCUniversal Foundation, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations Open New Round of Grant Funding for Local Non-Profits

NBCUniversal’s 21st Century Solutions Grant Challenge will award $1.2 million in grants to help local non-profits advance innovative solutions.

The NBCUniversal Foundation and NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations have partnered to announce the launch of the third annual 21st Century Solutions competitive grant challenge. The program will award 30 grants totaling $1.2 million to local non-profit organizations that are embracing innovation to advance community-based programs in the areas of civic engagement, education, environment, jobs and economic empowerment, media arts and technology. 

The grant challenge opens today and submissions will be accepted from qualified 501(c)(3) organizations through August 8 in 10 of the markets served by NBCUniversal-owned stations: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Ft. Worth, San Francisco Bay Area, Washington, D.C., Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, San Diego and Connecticut.  

"We’re proud that this program will highlight dynamic organizations implementing progressive ideas that move our communities forward," said Beth Colleton, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, NBCUniversal.

"Serving the people in our communities is at the heart of what we do and we are committed to partnering again with forward looking non-profits to make a positive local impact," said Valari Staab, President, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. "21st Century Solutions is our way of supporting the most innovative and impactful local programs and helping them provide even greater services."

21st Century Solutions supports social innovation in order to encourage non-profit organizations to address community challenges with fresh perspectives. The North Texas Food Bank and Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia are among two of the organizations that were awarded grants last year for addressing ongoing and emerging local matters in new and creative ways.

The North Texas Food Bank received a grant that helped them better meet the basic nutrition needs of senior citizens.  The 21st Century Solutions grant allowed the Food Bank to implement new software to more accurately track nearly 8,500 food insecure seniors and distribute food to them in a timely manner. The technology is also being offered to other food banks that are currently using outdated and inefficient systems at no cost.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia invested their 21st Century Solutions grant to address local pedestrian safety needs for children following school closings that affected thousands of students. Specifically, the Bicycle Coalition was able to expand their "Philly Walking School Bus" program and provide more adult supervision for students walking to and from school on dangerous roads.

Click here to view a video of how these organizations and others invested 2013 21st Century Solutions grants to make a difference in their communities.

Interested 501(c)(3) organizations in the 10 markets wishing to compete in the grant challenge can find more information on eligibility requirements and a link to the application at their local station’s website here. One winning organization and two runners-up will be awarded grants in each market. The recipients will be announced by the end of 2014. The 21st Century Solutions challenge is funded by the NBCUniversal Foundation with promotional support from the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations.