By the end of the Character at Camp initiative, we anticipate camps in the US will represent one of the largest and most potent contexts for character development in the learning and development ecosystem. 

Quick Links

• Application Packets: Planning, Implementation, & Network
• Character Grant Application Portal
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Volunteer as a Grant Reviewer
• Character Academy

Grant Update and Opportunity

The application window for the first wave of the Character Grant Program is now closed. There will be a second wave of Planning Grants and Implementation Grants that eligible camps can apply for in 2026. 

We also still have room for more volunteer reviewers to evaluate Character Grant Program applications. If you want to help shape the future of character at camp, if you want to learn more about innovative character projects, or if you just want to learn more about the grantmaking and grantwriting process, sign up today!

The review period lasts until November 17, and all reviews are completed online, on your own schedule, taking between 5-15 hours total. Interested? Fill out this Volunteer Reviewer form, and the Character at Camp team will reach out with more information and next steps! 

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for the Character Grant Program, an applicant must be a nonprofit organization that is physically located in the US and are exempt from tax under Internal Revenue Code (Code) section 501(c)(3), or a government/municipal organization. Additionally, an applicant must be an organization that currently offers day and/or overnight camp programming. 

For more information about eligibility, please refer to the full application packets below. 

Character Grant Pathways

Eligible organizations can apply for a Planning Grant, an Implementation Grant, or a Network Planning Grant. Here is a quick overview of each grant pathway:

• Planning Grants are designed for organizations that need a year of planning, training, and capacity building before they can effectively design and implement a character-focused program or project. Organizations can request up to $50,000 for a one-year Planning Grant that will be used to develop a full Character at Camp Implementation Grant proposal.
• Implementation Grants are designed for organizations that have a specific character-focused program or project in mind, and have sufficient experience and capacity to successfully implement that proposed program or project immediately. Organizations can request up to $300,000 for a two- or three-year Implementation Grant proposal.
• Network Planning Grants are designed for organizations that serve as the coordinating entity for 6+ camps, and that are excited to plan and implement a character-focused proposal with their on-site program teams. Organizations can request up to $75,000 for a one-year Network Planning Grant, after which they can apply for a Network Implementation Grant, requesting up to $300,000 for a three-year Network Implementation Grant proposal.

See below for additional guidance on how to decide which Character Grant Pathway to apply for:

"We're a camp ready to invest in character work, but we don't have the capacity or experience to implement something new. We will benefit from a year of planning, training, and internal capacity building so that we can propose and implement a program next year."

"We're a camp that successfully implements new programs, we're excited about investing in our character work, and we have a specific proposal in mind. With a little support we’d have the capacity to implement that character program now."

"We're the coordinating entity for a network of 6+ camps. We are excited to plan, build capacity, and work with our on-site program team, and to connect with other networks doing similar work. If we get a Network Planning Grant, we intend to apply for a full Network Implementation Grant the following year."

Grant Application Packets

To access the full application packets for each Character Grant Pathway, with detailed information about each grant program, click the following links:

• Planning Grant Application Packet
• Implementation Grant Application Packet
• Network Planning Grant Application Packet

How to Apply

Applications to the Character Grant Program will be submitted through Foundant, ACA’s online grant submission platform.

CHARACTER GRANT APPLICATION PORTAL

For detailed instructions on how to create an account in Foundant, on how to submit an application, and generally on how to navigate the platform, please reference Foundant’s GLM Applicant Tutorial. Once there, select “GLM Applicant Tutorial (New Dashboard)."

Supplementary Documents

For a list of documents and resources that are not essential, but might be helpful, as you design and submit your Character Grant Program proposal, please see below:

• Budget Template & Tool
• Program/Project Timeline Template
• Step-by-Step Guide for the Character Grant Program Experience
• Examples of Character-Focused Programs or Projects
• What Is Character?

Grant Program Timeline

(Note: All dates subject to change)

Wave 1 - Funding Beginning in 2026

Wave 2 - Funding Beginning in 2027

Specfic dates to be announced soon.

Support Resources

Review our Frequently Asked Questions page for detailed information about the Character at Camp Initiative and the Character Grant Program. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to our Character Grant Team at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Watch the recording of one of our grant program webinars.

Additionally, check out the Character Academy, where you’ll find webinars, videos, blogs, and many other character-related and grant-related resources.