Systems Change Grants
Our new Systems Change Grants (opening in 2026) will fund organizations and coalitions that are working to change the policies, power structures and mindsets that cause and reinforce poverty in our state. These grants specifically fund systems change that supports housing security and economic mobility.
Through these grants, we aim to generate a larger impact through more intentional funding, highly focused work and alignment across our Foundation’s activities.
What Systems Change Grants Support
Organizations that are actively working on systems change that impacts people experiencing poverty and addresses economic mobility or housing security. (**See definitions below.)
Organizations that are seeking to change systems at the local, regional or state level. Systems Change Grants provide up to $75,000 for local or regional work. State-level grants have a $100,000 maximum. All grants are for one year, with the possibility of renewal up to three years based on meeting reporting requirements and the availability of funding. The Foundation intends to award Systems Change Grants to up to 20 organizations a year.
We define systems change work in the following ways:
- Participating in advocacy and lobbying
- Focus on changing policies, practices, processes, rules or laws
- Impacting resource flows (i.e., reallocated and/or new funding streams)
- Holding systems accountable to their intended purpose through the above as well as through litigation
- Addressing unequal power
- Focus on changing the distribution and dynamics of privilege, relationships and tradition
- Organizing and building connections and coalitions that center community voices and perspectives
- Civic engagement
- Affirming the dignity of people experiencing poverty
- Focus on changing attitudes, mindsets, values, belief systems, norms, mental models, narratives and paradigms
- Implementing big impact, scalable, or innovative solutions
- Focus on changing results, especially for groups experiencing inequitable outcomes as a result of historic and current marginalization
- Participating in advocacy and lobbying
Applications are strongly encouraged from organizations that may be described as:
- Grassroots, or led by community members who understand the specific needs of their area.
- Serving people/communities of color, in order to address systemic racism as a root cause of poverty. SCFSC will consider this criterion alongside the applicant’s service area demographics and other factors.
- Located in and/or primarily serving at least one of the following 12 persistent poverty counties in South Carolina: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Clarendon, Colleton, Dillon, Hampton, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Williamsburg (based on U.S. Census definition).
**What is a System?
For the purposes of this grant, a "system" is an interconnected set of parts working together as a single entity to serve a purpose in society. System features include the following:
- Systems are socially constructed.
- Systems have clear boundaries.
- Systems can be large or small.
- Systems can be nested within larger ones.
- Systems can overlap.
What is Systems Change?
When one or more parts of a system are shifted, redesigned or transformed through long-term action led by the people most impacted by it such that the system begins to operate in a way that better serves all individuals in society. Groups historically and currently excluded from systems stand to benefit the most from this change through movement towards fairness, justice and equitable outcomes. Importantly, society as a whole also benefits substantially.
What is Housing Security and Economic Mobility?
Housing security is access to stable, safe, and affordable housing.
Economic mobility is access to resources that improve economic status and opportunities over a lifetime [i.e., a living wage, employment, benefits, training, assets and power to make choices (e.g., through labor market supports)].
Could your organization or coalition be a fit for the Systems Change Grants? Learn more.
Additional Funding Considerations
Additional Funding Considerations
We fund organizations and projects that align with our mission, vision, and values and work alongside families in our 15-county Western Montana service region. We focus on parents, caregivers, and youth facing the biggest barriers to health. That includes families with kids 0–18 who are living on low incomes, Indigenous, Black and other families of color, families living with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ families.
We look for organizations that:
- Center the voices and experiences of these families by investing in their leadership, including them on staff and boards, and involving them in decision-making.
- Organize and build coalitions alongside these families and engage them directly in advocacy.
- Have deep relationships and partnerships in their communities.
- Create a sense of belonging and offer leadership opportunities for the people they serve.
Additional Funding Considerations
Grant amounts depend on the project scope, organizational size, length of partnership with Headwaters, and available funding.
- Planning Grants (up to $25,000; average $25,000): One-year support for organizations developing new engagement work that need resources to plan or launch a project.
- New Partner Grants (up to $75,000; average $62,000): One-year support for organizations that are new to Headwaters Foundation or have only previously received a GO! Grant.
- General Operating Grants (up to $150,000; average $89,000): Flexible funding for organizations whose mission closely aligns with ours. Multi-year funding may be available for partners with a strong advocacy track record.
- Project Grants (up to $125,000; average $115,000): Support for specific projects or programs focused on building community power.
Additional Funding Considerations
If you think your work fits with the goals of the Family Power Fund, we’d love to hear from you! Headwaters doesn’t put out Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Instead, we invite you to reach out directly and tell us how your work puts families at the center of creating solutions for better health in Western Montana.
To start the application process, fill out this pre-inquiry form.
If your work aligns, we’ll be in touch within three weeks to set up a conversation with a Resource Partner. That conversation is a chance to share more about your mission, the people you serve, and how your organization is structured. From there, the Resource Partner will either invite you to complete a short application for an upcoming grant cycle, or let you know if the work isn’t the right fit. Applications are generally reviewed three times a year.
2026 Systems Change Grant Timeline
Oct. 9 and 14
Strategic Plan and Grant Announcement Webinars
Jan. 5
Applicants can preview Inquiry, Letter of Intent and Application forms
Jan. 15, 2 p.m. ET
2026 Grants Webinar (register)
Jan. 20
Letter of Intent forms open
March-May
Round 1 Application open (awards in July)
July-Sept.
Round 2 Application opens (awards in Nov.)
