WCAU-WWSI Philadelphia Now Accepting Applications For NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants

NBCUniversal’s Philadelphia duopoly of WCAU (NBC10) and WWSI (Telemundo62) and Comcast NBCUniversal said that for the first time, they will be awarding $225,000 in unrestricted funds to eligible nonprofits located in the Greater Philadelphia region. The stations and Comcast NBCUniversal are also announcing the rebrand of the program, from “Project Innovation” to “NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants,” – reflecting its local grassroots focus.

“Over the past five years, NBC10, Telemundo62 and Comcast NBCUniversal have awarded more than $1.3 million to nonprofits serving the Greater Philadelphia region,” said Ric Harris, the stations’ president and general manager. “This year’s grant challenge will award $225,000 in unrestricted funds to local organizations who are making a difference in our communities.”

The nonprofits interested in applying for grants will need to apply under one of the three categories of the program, which include: Next Generation Storytellers, Youth Education & Empowerment, and Community Engagement. The applications can be submitted online at www.Localimpactgrants.com between March 14 and April 21. Applications are also available in Spanish at www.becasdeimpactolocal.com. Winners will be announced later this year.

Grant eligibility requirements include:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit’s headquarters and/or the program for which the organization is applying must be located in a participating market.
• Entity must service the market from which they operate.
• Organization’s total expenses must be between $100,000 and $1,000,000.
• Nonprofit must help to resolve everyday community issues in any of the three grant categories.

NBCU Local Impact Grant categories include:

• 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.
• Youth Education & Empowerment: In-school and out-of-school programs that equip youth with the tools they need to succeed, including STEM/ STEAM education and youth entrepreneurship.
• Community Engagement: Programs that enable individuals to engage and volunteer in their communities.

Participating cities/regions and TV stations (in parentheses) 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).