Welcome to The 1954 Project
Luminary Award Pre-Application 

Thank you for your interest in the 1954 Project Luminary Award. Named for the year of the Brown v. Board decision, The 1954 Project exists to fund and fortify nonprofit leaders whose work is transforming educational opportunity in Black communities. Since its launch, The 1954 Project has provided over 21M in catalytic unrestricted funding to organizations across the country.

We are honored that you are considering joining this community of innovators, change-makers, and visionaries creating equitable systems that benefit everyone.


About The Pre-Application

This is the first step in the 2026 Luminary Award application process. This Pre-Application ensures that potential applicants align with our grantmaking priorities and meet our basic eligibility criteria before proceeding to the full application. 

Timeline 

  • Pre-Application Deadline: Thursday, December 15*, 2025 at 11:59 PM CT 
  • Response Timeline: You will receive notification advising whether you have been invited to submit a Round 1 application by mid-December, 2025.
  • Luminary Award Application: The 2026 application process for The 1954 Project Luminary Award spans from January to August 2026. It consists of three distinct rounds.
* Deadline extended from December 4th

Grantmaking Alignment 

We seek visionary nonprofit leaders with a proven track record in driving education outcomes in Black communities, who demonstrate proximity, lived expertise, and a deep commitment to collective leadership, long-term transformation, and the future of education. Applicants must align with one of our three impact areas.  

  • Innovation in Teaching & Learning: Create education models that center Black students through culturally affirming approaches that challenge traditional structures and transform how learning happens, ultimately serving all students.
  • Diversity in Education: Build pathways that increase and sustain Black educators and education leaders who transform where and how students learn.
  • Pathways to Economic Mobility: Build pathways to wealth, ownership, and economic power for Black students, families, and communities through innovative educational programming.


Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the 2026 Luminary Award, you and your organization must meet all of the following criteria: 

Leadership Requirements 

  • Primary Executive: Leader must hold the primary executive leadership position (CEO, President, Executive Director) with decision-making authority over operations and resources. 
  • Leadership Continuity: Leader must commit to remaining in role for at least three years from the award date. 

Organizational Requirements 

  • Legal Status: Organization must be a legally incorporated nonprofit organization OR operate under fiscal sponsorship. 
  • Independence: Organization must be an independent entity with its own governing board of directors and separate legal status. Programs or departments of larger organizations (including universities) and regional offices of national organizations are not eligible unless they maintain true independence with their own governing board and legal incorporation. 
  • Founding Year: Organization must have been founded in 2021 or earlier. 
  • Budget Range: Annual organizational budget between $500,000 and $10 million. 
  • Gift History: Largest single gift received in last 10 years between $150,000 and $5 million. 

Important Information & Resources

Ready to begin? Click 'Next Page' to start your Pre-Application.

Your Contact Information
Enter information about you, the person completing this form.









Leadership Details




2,000 character limit
Organization's Leader Information












Share key details about the leader's professional background, education, and experience relevant to their role leading this organization. 2,000 character limit
Organization's Basic Information

What is the full legal name of the organization?

How do you prefer the organization's name to be written?



Leave blank if you do not have a formal mission statement. 500 character limit.

In your own words, briefly describe your organization's work and mission. 2,000 character limit.
Organization's Address

Include suite/apt if applicable





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Organization Status
Organizations must be an independent entity with their own governing board of directors and separate legal status. Fiscally sponsored organizations are eligible. Programs or departments of larger organizations (including universities) and regional offices of national organizations are not eligible unless they maintain true independence with their own governing board and legal incorporation.







255 character limit

Financial Information
Fiscally sponsored organizations: Report only your organization's financial information, not your fiscal sponsor's.

$

$

$
Enter the dollar amount of your organization's largest single gift received in the last 10 years. This should be one gift from one source, not a combination or total of multiple gifts. Include foundation grants, government funding, corporate grants, individual monetary donations, and other charitable monetary contributions. Do not include in-kind donations, pro-bono services, or non-monetary support.
Grantmaking Alignment
Innovation in Teaching and Learning: Create education models that center Black students through culturally affirming approaches that challenge traditional structures and transform how learning happens, ultimately serving all students.

Diversity in Education: Build pathways that increase and sustain Black educators and education leaders who transform where and how students learn.

Pathways to Economic Mobility: Build pathways to wealth, ownership, and economic power for Black students, families, and communities through innovative educational programming.


Briefly explain how your organization's mission, programs, and impact align with the grantmaking area you selected. 2,000 character limit
Previous Luminary Award Applications



Focus on substantial changes such as new executive leadership, expansion to new sites or service areas, significant programmatic changes, or strategic pivots. 2,000 character limit.
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