We anticipate that the Bridge grant application will open in Spring 2023 and should have more to share by the end of April.

If you are eligible for a Bridge grant, you may complete this optional form to share your interest in the opportunity with us.

What are Bridge Grants?

Bridge grants – VELA’s largest investments, up to $250,000 – seek to bridge innovative, customer-driven solutions to wider adoption. Through its Bridge grant program, VELA expands programs led by permissionless innovators with a compelling track record and a plan to bridge their programs to wider adoption. All Bridge grant recipients must be delivering out-of-system learning models designed for unconventional learners. 

Like all of VELA’s investments, Bridge grants are rooted in a trust-basis: we trust that community-based entrepreneurs are best positioned to deliver solutions that meet the needs of families and learners in their communities. Bridge grants provide critical early capital to compelling emerging innovations, such as established organizations launching experimental out-of-system pilots, or replications of non-traditional learning models.

As Bridge grant recipients, entrepreneurs have access to our dynamic VELA community. Through a private online community, grant recipients enjoy access to collaboration and programming opportunities, and receive communications support, including media outreach and video storytelling. 

Eligibility

In addition to the impact areas outlined above, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Funding must be used for a charitable purpose.
• Funding must serve PK-12 learners outside the traditional school system.
• Funding must be used within the United States or its territories.

Applying 

The Bridge Grant application will reopen in 2023. Sign up for our newsletter to get notified when applications are available.