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

Character Grant Interest Form

Are you interested in the Character Grant Program? Are you thinking about applying? If so, please take a few minutes to fill out our Character Grant Interest Form — there’s no commitment required!

By submitting the form, you’ll help us better understand who’s planning to apply for a grant, which will allow us to proactively answer your questions, address your concerns, and provide the support you need throughout the application process. And we know camp professionals are busy year-round, so if we know you're interested, we can check in with timely reminders and resources to make things easier for you.

Fill out the Character Grant Interest Form — it only takes a few minutes!

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."
Apply for Planning Grant
"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."
Apply for Implentation Grant
"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."
networking planning grant illustration

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:

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:

Grant Program Timeline

(Note: All dates subject to change)

Wave 1 - Funding Beginning in 2026

July 29, 2025 Applications Open — All Character Grant Pathways
October 15, 2025 Submission Deadline — All Character Grant Pathways
December 2025 Awards Announced, Grantees Notified
January 2026 Grant Activities Start, Grant Funds Distribution Begins

Wave 2 - Funding Beginning in 2027

March 2026 Applications Open — Implementation & Planning Grant Pathways
June 2026 Submission Deadline — Implementation & Planning Grant Pathways
October 2026 Awards Announced, Grantees Notified
January 2027 Grant Activities Start, Grant Funds Distribution Begins

Have Questions?

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.

Office Hours & Support Resources

We will have Character Grant Program Office Hours scheduled throughout the summer and into the fall, where you’ll be able to ask questions to members of our Character Grant Team, and connect with other potential applicants. 

Please register with the links below.

How to Apply Webinars

Upcoming Office Hours

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