Investing in Trust: Microgrant applications now open for community builders
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Every community has people who quietly bring folks together. They are the neighbors who most people know and trust — those who organize youth mentorship programs, run community gardens, or check in on elders. They reach out to neighbors who may feel isolated or unseen and understand that lasting change often begins close to home.
Their work is invaluable, yet traditional funding rarely reaches them. They don’t get big grants and often pay out of their own pockets to grow their efforts. The Weaver Awards change that—providing microawards, tools, and visibility to help local weavers thrive.
The Weaver Awards are part of a constellation of resources designed to celebrate and support everyday neighbors who are building relationships in their communities. The awards are easy to apply for, require only simple reporting, and can go to individuals or small organizations whether they are registered as nonprofits or not. The application is straightforward, and people can apply themselves or recommend a neighbor.
The Awardees will be chosen by a selection panel of community advocates. And everyone who applies can get support for their own neighborhood work – whether they receive an award or not – by joining the free, online Weaving.Us community. The community helps people meet other weavers, find collaborators, learn about other grants and fellowships, and access free training ranging from public speaking to grant writing and community organizing.
Weave has hosted the Awards in several communities over the past 5 years, honoring hundreds of weavers. This summer, 25 communities across the country are launching the awards and celebrating their neighbors who are serving their communities and creating emotional connection, lasting relationships, and a strong, inclusive social fabric.
“Neighbors everywhere are quietly working to heal, nurture and build connections in the neighborhood, and so often they get overlooked,” says Frederick J. Riley, Executive Director of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute. “Our aim is to shine a light on these folks doing the hard work of connecting our communities and invite us all to take the next step to weave like them.”
Applications for the 2026 Weaver Awards are now open. To see if there is one near you, visit Awards.Weavers.org.
The 2026 Weaver Awards Communities
California — Fresno Weaver Awards
Colorado — Mile High Weaver Awards (Denver, CO)
Connecticut — Fairfield County Weaver Awards
Illinois – Chicago Weaver Awards
Indiana — Central Indiana Weaver Awards (Marion County)
Iowa — Eastern Iowa Weaver Awards
Kansas — Wichita Weaver Awards (Wichita, KS)
Louisiana — Central Louisiana Weaver Awards
Maryland – Central Baltimore Weaver Awards
Michigan – Coming Soon
Minnesota — West Central Minnesota Weaver Awards
Missouri — Kansas City Weaver Awards (Kansas City, MO)
Nebraska — Lincoln Weaver Awards (Lincoln, NE)
New York — NYS Greater Capitol Region Weaver Awards
Ohio — Neighbor Up Cleveland Weaver Awards (Cleveland, OH)
Oklahoma — Resilient Oklahoma Weaver Awards
Oregon — Central Oregon Weaver Awards
Pennsylvania — Lancaster County Weaver Awards
South Carolina — Spartanburg Weaver Awards (Spartanburg, SC)
Texas — Alamo Colleges District Weaver Awards (San Antonio, TX)
Utah – Coming Soon
Virginia — RVA Weaver Awards (Richmond area)
Washington — Kootenai County Weaver Awards
West Virginia – West Virginia Weaver Awards
Wisconsin –- Northeast Wisconsin Weaver Awards
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