2026 Los Angeles Basecamp Project Grant

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Welcome to the Los Angeles Basecamp's Roots & Shoots Grant Application!

Questions? Email Erin McCombs at emccombs@janegoodall.org

We believe anyone - at any age - can help make the world a better place for animals, people, and the environment. Whether you're starting your very first community project or you're already making waves in your neighborhood, this grant is here to help you grow your idea into action.

This grant is meant to be:

a simple starting point
a chance to try something meaningful
a way to learn how project funding works
a way to reduce financial barriers to participate in a Roots & Shoots project

What is Roots & Shoots?

Roots & Shoots is a global youth-powered movement founded by Dr. Jane Goodall. It’s all about inspiring people to take action in their communities to help people, animals, and the environment. No matter how big or small, every project creates positive change! Through service projects, we learn to be compassionate changemakers, listen to our communities, and work together to build a better world.

What is the Los Angeles Basecamp?

The Los Angeles Basecamp is a local network for people who want to create positive change. Our Basecamp connects you with others who care about their communities and provides resources to turn your ideas into action. Our goal is to foster respect, understanding, and compassion - in an effort to make the world a better place.

About the Grant Program

How much can you apply for?

You may apply for a grant in the amount of: $250 or $500 to start, support, or celebrate your Roots & Shoots project in the Los Angeles Basecamp region (LA County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County).

$250 Starter Grants are recommended for those who are NEW to Roots & Shoots (just joined as a member, haven't done a project before, haven't received a R&S grant). You can also choose this level if $250 is the right amount to support your project and you don't need or want more funds. 
$500 Next Level Grants are for current R&S members who have an active R&S group or project and would like $500 to make a greater impact. This level is recommended for prior R&S grantees who are ready to grow their group and/or scope.

What We Fund

We especially encourage youth (25 and under) applicants to apply, but all ages are welcome! You don't need to be an expert and you don't need to have a perfect plan. You just need an idea to make your community a little better - for people, animals, and/or the environment.

We also encourage projects that are developed with communities that face barriers to resources and opportunities. Our goal is to support solutions that come from the community, not just for them.

Some ways projects might support communities include:

Organizing an art project that brings people together and raises awareness about a local issue
Hosting an event to support local wildlife or clean up a park
Developing a service project to support people in need
Creating a community produce garden to provide fresh food
Helping your local animal shelter or rescue organization

Please note: Because Dr. Jane cared deeply for the welfare of animals, we do not fund projects that involve livestock management or factory farming.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’re happy to help you think through your idea! You can email Erin McCombs, Los Angeles Basecamp Coordinator (emccombs@janegoodall.org) to discuss your project.

Eligibility

Where we fund

We fund projects in the following counties:

Los Angeles County
Orange County
San Bernardino County

Who can apply?

Anyone! You don’t need to be an expert or have grant-writing experience. We welcome:

People of any age*
Students
Community groups (for example: sports teams, you + your friends and neighbors, church groups)
Educators
Parents/families
Individuals
Schools, universities, and non-profits
Local governments, tribes, tribal nations, and their political subdivisions

*Applicants under the age of 13 will need a parent or guardian to submit the application with them. Parents/educators/adults assisting youth - Please highlight how your child/students are taking the lead in picking the project focus and deciding how to do the service project. This grant does not support classroom instruction/curriculum alone.

Who is NOT eligible?

This grant does not support classroom instruction/curriculum alone. It is intended to support direct expenses associated with actionable projects.
You are not eligible to apply if you are a current grant recipient in an active grant cycle. Please wait until the next grant cycle to complete a new grant application.
You are not eligible to apply if you are the recipient of a past grant and have not yet submitted your final project report.
For-profit businesses are not eligible to apply.

If you need clarification or have questions, please email Los Angeles Basecamp Coordinator, Erin McCombs (emccombs@janegoodall.org).

The Application Process

Before you apply

Join Roots & Shoots - Sign up for free at rootsandshoots.org/register
Create a Submittable account - Sign up for free by clicking here! Submittable is the platform we use for our grantmaking process and you will need an account to apply. The application will not load unless you are logged in to your Submittable account.
Connect with your Basecamp Coordinator - email Erin McCombs (emccombs@janegoodall.org) to talk about your project idea and get recommendations and support!

How to apply

Log in to your Submittable account.
Fill in the application form, which will appear at the bottom of this page if you are logged in.
if you can't finish in one sitting, click the "Save Draft" button before closing your window.
If you need to change your application after submitting it, you can request to edit the submission.
For technical help with using Submittable (this application platform), check out this webpage.

Application Schedule

Rolling deadline - A "rolling" deadline you can apply at any time before Nov 1, 2026! Your application will be reviewed and we'll respond with any questions within 2-4 weeks.
30 Days after submission - Applicants will be notified of the status of their application.
Grant report deadline for grants awarded in 2026 is 6 months after receipt of funds for the $250 and $500 levels.

Expectations

As a recipient of a Los Angeles Basecamp Roots & Shoots Grant, grantees will be expected to:

To join Roots & Shoots as a member (it's free!).
To submit a project report within 6 months of receiving funds for the $250 or $500 level
To spend the grant funds only on items benefiting their Roots & Shoots project.

What makes a strong application?

When applying, we encourage you to think about how your project connects with people in your community. Some communities have less access to resources due to things like income level, history, or location. These communities might include:

People who are historically underfunded or marginalized (e.g., Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQIA2S+ folks, Indigenous people)
People who live in low-income or economically disadvantaged areas
Individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions
People who experience environmental justice or climate vulnerability
Immigrant, refugee, or limited-English-proficiency populations
Survivors of trauma, violence, or systemic injustice
People who face geographic barriers (e.g., rural, remote, or underserved regions)
People with limited access to philanthropic or government funding

Instead of assuming what a community needs, we encourage you to talk with people and listen to their ideas. How can you collaborate rather than just help?

For example:

🚫 Instead of: “We will donate books to a school because we think they need them.”

✅ Try: “We will ask students and teachers what books would be most meaningful to them, then raise money to buy those books.”

Your project doesn’t have to solve a big problem, it just needs to come from a place of compassion and understanding.

Using Roots & Shoots Resources

Roots & Shoots online resources help changemakers identify needs in their community and then plan and complete a service project. Demonstrating that you used any of our resources to plan your project and improve your changemaker skills will strengthen your application!

Here is a list of our most popular resources:

How We Review Applications

Your application will be reviewed by Roots & Shoots staff members and volunteers. The percentages in the section below show the weight assigned to each funding priority during the application review. The bulleted questions in each section are intended to help guide your planning process towards a thoughtful application. While it is not required that you answer each question, being able to do so will greatly strengthen your application.

Project Planning (10%)

What problem is being addressed? How will the project help people, animals, and/or the environment?
What action(s) will the group take to implement the project?
Who will this project help, support or reach? What is the community, group of people, or cause it will serve?
How will the group measure impact? How will the group know if their project was successful?

Youth Voice: Does your project center the voices and ideas of young people? (40%)

How were youth involved in choosing and planning the project?
In what ways are young people leading or shaping this project?
How is this project helping youth grow their leadership or project-building skills?

Inclusivity and Diversity: Does the project demonstrate inclusivity and diversity? (Both within the project team and in the places the project will impact?) (30%)

Roots & Shoots believes that diversity strengthens our communities and strives to fund projects that bring together young people with a range of talents, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences.

How will you make sure everyone in your group is part of decision-making?
How will you make sure group members are comfortable sharing different opinions and ideas?
Did you include community members in your planning? Why or why not? Will they be included in the project execution? Will they be impacted by the project?
Does the applicant’s group or project include and/or collaborate with Black, Indigenous, People of Color, people who are disabled, or members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community?
Are there reasons why it might be hard for some people to join or benefit from your project's impact? How will you address them?
Will you be working with other groups or organizations for your project? If so, which ones?

Financial Need: Does the application demonstrate the group's need for these funds to implement their Roots & Shoots project? (15%)

Reducing financial barriers to participation for groups and individuals is an underlying principle of the Roots & Shoots grant funding. We also strive to support projects and individuals that collaborate with under-resourced communities.

Were R&S resources used? (10%)

How did you use the Roots & Shoots 4-Step Formula and/or Community Mapping to pick the project focus and/or to plan the project?
What other Roots & Shoots resources did you use to plan the project?

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact your Basecamp Coordinator, Erin McCombs at emccombs@janegoodall.org

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.

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