Central Coast counties encouraged to apply for “empathy grants”

Two nonprofit organizations are hoping to promote empathy in communities through a new online competition.

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation and Ashoka Changemakers recently launched “The Building Vibrant Communities: Activating Empathy to Create Change” competition.

The competition is looking for initiatives aimed at helping cultivate empathy skills to strengthen communities and equip young people to become leaders of change. A total of $500,000 will be awarded to up to six winning solutions.

The competition is particularly focusing on initiatives for communities in San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.

The competition is open for entries until July 10. Four cash prizes of $100,000 will be awarded to top entrants and up to two entries will get $50,000. Winners also will be showcased at the Packard Foundation’s 50th Anniversary celebration.

For more information about the competition and to apply, click here.

The entries received so far, which include projects in Santa Cruz, Salinas, Watsonville and Santa Clara County, can also be viewed online.

Building Vibrant Communities