Comcast NBCU To Present $2.475M In Grants In 2020

The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation and NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal, announced the return of their “Project Innovation” competitive grant challenge for a third consecutive year when applications open on Jan. 10, 2020.

Through Project Innovation, the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation and NBC/Telemundo owned stations in 11 select markets will award a total of $2.475 million in grants to non-profit organizations that are helping to move their communities forward through programs that foster the “Next Generation Storytellers,” a “Culture of Inclusion,” “Youth Education,” and “Community Engagement.”

The program’s four grant categories are described in detail, below. Grant applications can be previewed online at nbcuprojectinnovation.com and in Spanish at nbcuproyectoinnovacion.com. The online application process runs from Jan. 10 to Feb. 14, 2020. Grant winners will be announced by the stations in May 2020.

“In the past two years, Project Innovation has supported outstanding groups that are doing their part to create real opportunities for women and underrepresented individuals in media and STEM-related fields and are inspiring volunteerism and civic engagement activities in our neighbourhoods. I’m pleased the program is returning in 2020 to help our stations continue their work with local nonprofits,” said Valari Staab, president, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations.

NBC and Telemundo owned stations in the 11 participating markets will select and present grant awards to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are physically located in a participating market, service the market they operate from, have an annual operating budget of more than $100,000 (defined by the organizations most recent 990-N IRS filing), and whose programs are helping to resolve everyday community issues in any of the following four grant categories. Interested groups are encouraged to visit the program’s websites to read additional rules/eligibility requirements.

Project Innovation 2020 Grant Categories

Next Generation Storytellers: Programs that promote access and develop pathways for emerging talent, diverse voices, and underrepresented youth to explore careers in news, entertainment, sports and the arts.

Culture of Inclusion: Programs that encourage equitable access, opportunities, and resources for traditionally underrepresented communities.

Youth Education: K-12 in-school and out-of-school programs that equip youth with the tools they need to succeed, including STEM/ STEAM education.

Community Engagement: Programs that enable individuals to engage and volunteer in their communities

Project Innovation 2020 markets include: New York (WNBC, WNJU), Southern California (KNBC, KVEA), Chicago (WMAQ, WSNS), Philadelphia (WCAU, WWSI), Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS, KXTX), Boston (WBTS, WNEU, necn), Hartford, CT (WVIT, WRDM), Washington, D.C. (WRC-TV, WZDC), Miami-Fort Lauderdale (WTVJ, WSCV), San Francisco Bay Area (KNTV, KSTS), and San Diego (KNSD, KUAN).

Visit nbcuprojectinnovation.com for program rules and eligibility requirements, and to access the grant application. For information in Spanish, visit nbcuproyectoinnovacion.com.