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Applying for a grant

Share the Spirit provides grants to local organizations and nonprofits from their holiday fundraising campaign from November to January. Every year, about 20 grantees are selected through a competitive application and review process from late July through October. 

Those selected will be featured in stories in the East Bay Times and used for fundraising efforts throughout the holiday season.

Organizations and nonprofits interested in receiving a grant for the upcoming Share the Spirit holiday campaign should review requirements and calendar below.

Application for a 2026 grant
opens 8 a.m., July 27

See calendar below for details

Share the Spirit 2026 Calendar

Dates and deadline for grant applicants and grantees
for the Share the Spirit 2026 campaign

Dates and deadline for grant applicants and grantees
for the Share the Spirit 2025 campaign. The calendar for Share the Spirit 2026 will be available by May.

July 27, 2026,
8 a.m. to
August 12,
5 p.m. Pacific

This is the period when applications for a grant from Share the Spirit 2026 are opened and accepted. A link to the application will appear on this page during this period. 

Before the application period opens, applicants are highly encouraged to preview this sample form to familiarize themselves with our questions and expectations.

Please note: There is a limit of 150 accepted applications. The application period may close sooner if the limit is reached before August 12.

August 24 to
September 8

Grant committee meets to select grantees.

September 9-10

Grantees are notified

Early to mid September

Story development begins. Grantees will be contacted for interviews by East Bay Times or Bay Area News Group reporters and/or photographers. ALL grantees must have a contact available throughout October to coordinate with the journalists.

November 22, to Dec. 31

Share the Spirit 2026 fundraiser begins with a special edition published in the East Bay Times on Sunday, Nov. 22. Each grantee with have a story published about them in the East Bay Times in print and online throughout the holiday season.

March 2027

Grants distributed to grantees. Organizations are to use the funds as stated in their application.

June 2, 2027

Grantees from Share the Spirit 2026 must submit a Final Grant Report (see sample form). This report helps us to evaluate the impact of the recent fundraiser and provides feedback from the grantees.

Grantees from Share the Spirit 2026 must submit a Final Grant Report. This report helps us to evaluate the impact of the recent fundraiser and provides feedback from the grantees.

Reminder: Final Grant Report
for Share the Spirit 2025 grantees are due

If you received a grant from Wish Book 2025, you must submit this Final Grant Report by June 2, 2026. 

Grant requirements

To apply for grant funds from Share the Spirit, you must submit an application between late July and mid-August. See eligibility and calendar above for specific dates.

If selected for a grant, the grantee must agree to the following:

  1. Accept terms and conditions specified in the agreement letter, which is sent to all grantees and due by the end of October.
  2. Help develop story ideas that highlight your organization’s need for the fund for coverage by the East Bay Times and other Bay Area News Group media outlets. The idea should focus on an individual or family that is using the organization’s service that would be benefitting directly from the grant.
  3. Collaborate with Bay Area News Group personnel in producing these stories. (ALL grantees must have a contact available throughout the month of October to coordinate with journalists and respond in a timely manner.)
  4. Post to social media that mentions Share the Spirit approximately one post per week, mid November through December. Click here for social media guidelines.
  5. Acknowledge the East Bay Times and/or Bay Area News Group in all relevant press releases, announcements, articles, etc. In addition, grantees should use the Share the Spirit logo and hashtags as appropriate. Click here for press guidelines.
  6. Submit the final status report form by early June. The report will assess how the grant fulfilled the purpose specified in the grant application and how many people it has helped in Alameda or Contra Costa counties. 

Eligibility

Grant funding will only be given to 501(C)(3) nonprofits, schools, and other public entities located in or serving the communities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Other considerations:

  • Existing programs and operations, expansion of programs, and projects that are time-limited in nature.
  • New programs/organizations that demonstrate clear and relevant goals.
  • Programs and educational activities that seek to build capacity.
  • Programs/projects outside the priority areas or taking place outside the Alameda and Contra Costa County area.
  • Individuals, businesses, or private foundations.
  • Endowment, capital campaigns, or support for fundraising events.
  • Provide excellent story topics to highlight good work of individuals and/or organizations, with special consideration given to submissions with specific program participants willing to be interviewed by East Bay Times or Bay Area News Group affliate.
  • Expose readers/influencers to community needs and specific populations.
  • Represent diverse populations and geographic areas within Alameda or Contra Costa Counties.
  • Create meaningful impact for residents of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, and reflect well on the nonprofit sector.
  • Address priority areas including systemic racism, climate change, unsheltered residents, food insecurity, community activism