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Launched in 2020, the Calyx Institute’s grantmaking program has focused on funding designed to support the internet freedom ecosystem through unrestricted, general operating support to organizations and individuals working on projects that align with Calyx’s mission. Projects supported have focused on digital security, privacy education, and software development, among others. All of Calyx’s grant recipients are working (as is the Calyx Institute) to educate the public about privacy in digital communications and to develop tools that anyone can use. In 2022, Calyx launched the Fusion Center Research Fund* which disbursed nearly $200,000 to projects focused on researching fusion centers1 and their impact on digital privacy and freedom of expression.
Learning from these grantmaking efforts and our overall work in the internet freedom space, Calyx is launching a multi-year funding opportunity and pilot program for small organizations and collectives working in alignment with Calyx’s mission and values. The Sepal Fund will provide five (5) organizations, collectives, or projects a yearly (unrestricted) grant of up to $50,000 for a total of three (3) years. This fund will further include professional development support and community building over the three-year grant term, which we hope will contribute to strengthening the digital privacy ecosystem overall. We aim to utilize the learning gleaned from this pilot program to better understand what we and other funders can offer to the larger ecosystem, as well as to develop an analysis plan. The findings from that research will be made public via the Calyx website once completed.
* Fusion centers are law enforcement intelligence-sharing centers that integrate local, federal, and private intelligence gathering and dissemination. These have documented deleterious impacts on privacy and freedom of expression. Visit this page for more information about this fund.
Wednesday, January 8, 2025: Applications open, via Calyx website
Wednesday, February 19, 2025: Application deadline
Monday, March 3–Monday, March 31, 2025: Panel review and selection process
April 2025: Recipients notified; grant term begins; first year funds disbursed.
This grant opportunity is open to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, as well as collectives and/or individuals using a fiscal sponsor. Calyx prioritizes funding to smaller organizations, defined as those with annual budgets under $1,000,000.
If individuals or collectives do not yet have a fiscal sponsor, a list of fiscal sponsors can be found via the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors’ member directory. This is not a comprehensive list, but it can offer a starting point for exploring possible fiscal sponsorship opportunities.
Applicants who have previously received a grant from the Calyx Institute are eligible to apply.
Applications must be submitted via this application form. All applications must include the following:
The application can focus on a wide range of issues, including but not limited to:
Direct lobbying and policy advocacy projects and programs are not eligible for this funding opportunity.
Common questions about this program can be found on our FAQ page. If you have further questions, please email grants@calyxinstitute.org. We aim to reply within three (3) business days.
Applicants will receive a confirmation email following submission of the application. Calyx staff will review all applications for eligibility as well as required components. If parts of your application are unclear or if the application is missing required components or details, we will reach out with questions or with a request to revise and resubmit the application.
Applications will be reviewed and selected by a committee of peers, professionals working in the field, and/or experts knowledgeable about topics including but not limited to FOSS, internet freedom, digital privacy, and human rights. The review process will include multiple voting rounds by the selection committee, the members of which will remain anonymous.
All applicants (whether successful or otherwise) will be notified of the funding decisions in April 2025.
Before receiving any funds, each grant recipient will be required to submit a small amount of paperwork. This includes submitting a project budget, W9, and signing a grant agreement.
Before disbursing funds for the second and third years of the grant term, we require a one-page report on the project or organization’s progress toward its stated goals. This annual report will help Calyx better understand how the funds are being used, as well as suggest ways that we can better support the community of grant recipients through professional development opportunities and networking. These yearly grant reports are also an opportunity for recipients to share challenges or unexpected obstacles to their work so that together, we can determine a path forward.
Grant recipients will also be encouraged to attend informal, virtual gatherings with their fellow grantees and periodic, short check-in meetings with Calyx staff. Professional development opportunities will be provided throughout the three-year grant term including networking, skills/capacity building, and/or subsidized conference participation.