The Giving Project is a 6-month program that runs September through February. We bring together ~20 community volunteers who form a cohort. Each participant commits to attending various sessions throughout the program to learn about race, class, gender, grassroots donor organizing, and community-led grantmaking. 

Participants apply what they learn immediately after each session as they read and evaluate grant applications, donor organize their friends & family, and lead site visits with potential grantee partners. At the end of the program, the cohort collectively decides which organizations receive grants.   

In a continued effort to refine and strengthen the political analysis of the Giving Project, Headwaters has selected a theme for the 2026-27 Giving Project. The 2026-27 Giving Project specifically seeks to support organizations whose work advances youth organizing in Minnesota.     

The Giving Project is often a transformative experience for those involved. No prior experience with philanthropy or fundraising is necessary. We will train you and support you along the way!  

We encourage all people, and especially Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color; LGBTQ+ people; low- or no-wealth individuals; and folks over 40 to apply.  

You should apply if: 

• You want to confront issues of injustice and take action.  
• You want to learn about social justice movements and community organizations in Minnesota that are building a future free of oppression.  
• You are passionate about building community and curious to learn about other peoples’ lived experiences that are different from yours.  
• You want to learn how to fundraise, make grants, and expand your network.  
• You are open to and ready for personal transformation. 

Please note: The Giving Project isn’t an anti-oppression 101 course. We’re looking for people who have a developed understanding and analysis of race and class and are excited to dig deeper within the Giving Project. If you are interested in participating in the Giving Project but are new to anti-oppression work, we encourage you to first participate in an anti-oppression training online or in your community. There are dozens of great programs out there that will help set you up for success in the Giving Project. 

The Giving Project runs from September – February every other year. There are several required sessions over those 6 months, along with asynchronous coaching, donor organizing, grant reading and evaluation, and site visits with grant applicants.  

We ask you to… 

• Commit to the entire program by attending all sessions, reading and evaluating grant applications, donor organizing your personal network, and participating in small and large group activities. The commitment is about 120 hours, or 20 hours per month.  

• Come ready to engage in collective learning and contribute what you’re able during discussions, activities, and group experiences.  

• Make a personal financial contribution. Every gift is meaningful, and there are no minimum or maximum amounts. 

The Giving Project is a multi-month cohort-based experience that requires a significant commitment of time, talent, and resources from participants. Headwaters works hard to create an environment of support for folks to fully participate in the program, and we understand that most folks are already juggling various responsibilities within their lives. Nobody can be everywhere all the time. With that in mind, we want to be clear that this program is intensive and completely voluntary.  

The experience of the Giving Project cohort is negatively impacted when participants aren’t fully present and engaged. It is important to us that Giving Project participants not only have passion for funding social justice movements, but also that they have the time and capacity to fully invest in this unique cohort experience.  

After considering your personal situation (other significant commitments, competing demands, work/life balance, mental and emotional capacity, etc.), if you are feeling unsure about your current ability to fully commit to this program, we encourage you to prioritize self-care and consider applying for a future Giving Project cohort. 

Nearly 170 people have committed to and completed the program, many with stories of personal transformation, deeper community connections, and a better understanding of Minnesota’s social justice movements. If you can make the commitment, you will get just as much out of the Giving Project as you put in! 

It is important that participants attend as many sessions as possible, but we know that life happens! While we prioritize people who can fully commit for all dates, please let us know when you apply if you need to miss any sessions and we’ll see if your participation is still possible.  

Click here to see the 2026-2027 Giving Project Schedule.