Application Process Overview

Choose Your Project Idea & Team Contact

Before you begin the formal application process, decide on a project idea and choose a contact for your project team. The Team Contact will serve as the main point of contact and be responsible for stewarding the application and project. The Team Contact will coordinate with the grant recipient organization and is responsible for communication with the LIGHT Awards staff.

Feel free to contact us if you have questions.

See Questions to Spark Your Brainstorming

Create An Account

If you are the Team Contact, please visit our grant application system, accessible via a link on this website in our top navigation—available when the LOI (Letter of Inquiry) process opens, typically in October—and create a user account for your team. Check our website footer for dates and/or subscribe to be notified of important application cycle dates.

Confirm Your Eligibility & Complete LOI

After creating your account, you will be asked to complete our Letter of Inquiry (LOI) which includes a grant eligibility checklist.  These are typically due in mid to late November.

If your project idea and team meet the criteria and your LOI is selected, you will be notified by email in early December. The next time you log in you will be able to access the whole application.

Fill Out Your Application

When you log in to the application, you will be able to download the question set and work offline with your team to prepare your answers; you can add answers online when you are ready. As part of your application, you will be prompted to upload a letter from your school principal, explaining how they will help the project succeed. If team members are from multiple schools, you will need a letter from each school principal.  Applications are typically due in early-January.  For more info, see our FAQ page.

Grant Decisions

Funding decisions are made by the board of the Intrepid Philanthropy Foundation.  Applicants are typically notified in April and an announcement of grant recipients is shared publicly by May.