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The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

Annual Giving
$51.6M
Grant Range
$20K - $0.3M
Decision Time
5mo

The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $51,572,964 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly disclosed (76 awards from Local Impact Grants in 2024)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 4-5 months (April application deadline, announcements typically late summer/fall)
  • Grant Range: $20,000 - $250,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: National (11 NBC and Telemundo owned-station markets for Local Impact Grants; broader for other programs)

Contact Details

Address: One Comcast Center, 48th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2838

Phone: 215-286-1700

Email: Danielle_Arnold@comcast.com

Primary Contact: Danielle Arnold, Associate Vice President, Impact and Inclusion and Vice President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants Website: localimpactgrants.com (English) | becasdeimpactolocal.com (Spanish)

General Foundation Website: corporate.comcast.com/values/foundation

Overview

The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation was established in 1999 (originally as the Comcast Foundation, renamed in 2018) and is based in Philadelphia, PA. With annual giving exceeding $51.5 million in 2023, the foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Comcast Corporation and NBCUniversal. The foundation's mission focuses on supporting organizations that help communities thrive through Digital Inclusion, Digital Exploration, and Digital Skills in the Workforce. The foundation operates as part of Project UP, Comcast's comprehensive $1 billion initiative to advance digital equity and reach 50 million people. Since 2018, the NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants program alone has provided $18.5 million to 546 nonprofit organizations nationwide.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants

  • Amount: $2.5 million total annual distribution; individual grants typically $20,000 - $40,000
  • Description: Annual competitive grant program providing unrestricted funds to nonprofits in 11 NBC and Telemundo owned-station markets (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Francisco Bay Area, Washington D.C., Miami, San Diego, Connecticut, and Boston)
  • Application Method: Annual application cycle (March 11 - April 11)
  • Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofits with total expenses between $100,000 and $1,000,000

Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge

  • Amount: $75,000 (small cities), $150,000 (medium cities), $250,000 (large cities)
  • Description: Partnership with U.S. Conference of Mayors to support municipal digital equity programs
  • Application Method: Invitation-based through U.S. Conference of Mayors

Project Innovation Grants

  • Amount: Varies; $3.475 million distributed to 100 nonprofits in recent cycles
  • Description: Supports organizations fostering equity and inclusion in their communities
  • Application Method: Invitation-based or through specific application windows

General Foundation Grants

  • Amount: Varies
  • Description: Broader philanthropic support for digital literacy, community service, and leadership development
  • Application Method: Rolling basis via letter of inquiry

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three core areas:

Youth Education and Empowerment

  • In-school and out-of-school programs that equip youth with tools to succeed
  • STEM/STEAM education programs
  • Youth entrepreneurship initiatives
  • Computer literacy and e-learning programs
  • Job training and workforce development for economically disadvantaged individuals

Next Generation Storytellers

  • Programs promoting access and developing pathways for emerging talent
  • Youth voices from underrepresented communities in arts, news, sports, and entertainment
  • Career exploration in media and creative industries

Community Engagement

  • Programs enabling individuals to engage and volunteer in their communities
  • Community and economic development initiatives
  • Digital inclusion and equity programs
  • Support for LGBTQ causes

What They Don't Fund

  • Schools, educational institutions, and their affiliated fundraising entities and foundations (including elementary, secondary, and universities) are not eligible for NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants
  • Organizations with total expenses under $100,000 or over $1,000,000 (for Local Impact Grants)
  • Organizations that received $10,000 or more in funding from Comcast NBCUniversal or NBC/Telemundo stations within the past three years (for Local Impact Grants)
  • Organizations that won a Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation grant between 2023-2025 (for current Local Impact Grants cycle)

Governance and Leadership

Dalila Wilson-Scott serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer of Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. Wilson-Scott leads strategic impact and inclusion efforts that leverage Comcast's talent, connectivity, and platforms to create opportunities aligned with the company's global media and technology businesses. She oversees Project UP, the company's comprehensive $1 billion digital opportunity initiative to expand internet access, deliver digital skills training, and drive economic mobility through programs and community partnerships across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Wilson-Scott joined Comcast in 2016 after more than 15 years at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where she served as Head of Global Philanthropy and President of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation. She was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast in 2020, while continuing as foundation president.

Danielle Arnold serves as Associate Vice President, Impact and Inclusion and Vice President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, managing day-to-day grant operations and serving as the primary contact for inquiries.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants:

  1. Applications accepted online at localimpactgrants.com or becasdeimpactolocal.com (Spanish)
  2. Application window: March 11 - April 11 annually
  3. Applications submitted after 7:59:59 PM ET on April 11 will not be considered
  4. These are general operating grants; applications are reviewed based on overall organizational work and community impact
  5. Only one grant awarded per Tax ID number across all 11 markets

General Foundation Grants:

  • Two-page letters of inquiry accepted on a rolling basis
  • Submit on organization letterhead to Danielle Arnold via email (Danielle_Arnold@comcast.com) or mail (One Comcast Center, Philadelphia, PA 19103)
  • Include: organization purpose, project summary, how project relates to foundation goals, request amount, and 501(c)(3) tax exemption number

Decision Timeline

NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants:

  • Applications due: April 11
  • Review period: April - August
  • Winners announced: Typically late summer/early fall (August-September)
  • Notification method: Direct communication to recipients; public announcements via press releases and local NBC/Telemundo stations

General Grants:

  • Timeline varies; no specific public information available on decision timeframes

Success Rates

For the NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants program, 76 organizations received funding out of the total applicant pool in 2024, representing a $2.5 million total distribution. The exact number of applications received is not publicly disclosed, so a precise success rate cannot be calculated. However, the competitive nature of the program and the specific eligibility requirements (organizational budget size, geographic location, previous funding restrictions) suggest that applicants should submit strong, well-aligned proposals.

Reapplication Policy

For NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants:

  • Organizations that won grants between 2023-2025 are not eligible to apply for the 2025 grant cycle
  • This effectively creates a 2-3 year waiting period for previous grant recipients
  • Organizations that applied but were unsuccessful can reapply in subsequent years with no waiting period
  • Organizations must continue to meet all eligibility requirements

For General Foundation Grants:

  • No specific reapplication restrictions publicly documented for unsuccessful applicants

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and recent grant recipients, successful applications demonstrate the following:

Strong Alignment with Priority Areas: The foundation explicitly reviews applications based on "overall work and impact in the local community" in the areas of Youth Education and Empowerment, Next Generation Storytellers, and Community Engagement. Recent recipients include organizations like ArtSmart (tuition-free music lessons for youth), Project Libertad (youth-led legal and social services for immigrant youth), and Zenith Community Arts Foundation (woodworking programs for disadvantaged teens).

Focus on Underserved Communities: Many successful grantees work with economically disadvantaged populations, newcomer immigrants, youth from underrepresented communities, and individuals facing barriers to opportunity. The foundation's commitment to equity and inclusion is central to its mission.

Digital Equity and Skills Development: Organizations incorporating digital literacy, technology access, STEM education, or workforce development aligned with the digital economy are well-positioned. The foundation's broader Project UP initiative emphasizes digital inclusion as a core strategic priority.

Community Impact at Scale: The foundation seeks organizations with budgets between $100,000 and $1,000,000 for Local Impact Grants—organizations substantial enough to demonstrate meaningful community impact but not so large that foundation support would be marginal to their operations.

Clear, Measurable Outcomes: While applications are reviewed based on overall organizational work, successful applicants articulate clear community impact. For example, 100 Black Men of the Bay Area focuses on mentorship and education for African American youth, while The Chicana Latina Foundation promotes professional and leadership development of Latinas with specific programming.

Geographic Service Alignment: For Local Impact Grants, organizations must be headquartered or operate programs in one of the 11 participating markets. Local community ties and demonstrated service in the specific NBC/Telemundo station market are important.

Organizational Capacity: The foundation looks for nonprofits that have been in existence and operation for at least one year, demonstrating organizational stability and sustainability.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Unrestricted funding opportunity: NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants provide general operating support, not project-specific grants—emphasize your overall organizational impact rather than a single program
  • Budget sweet spot: Organizations with $100,000-$1,000,000 in total expenses are the target; ensure your organization fits this range before applying to Local Impact Grants
  • Geographic limitations matter: For Local Impact Grants, you must be in one of the 11 NBC/Telemundo markets; if outside these areas, explore general foundation grants or other Comcast digital equity initiatives
  • Digital equity lens: Even if not explicitly technology-focused, frame your work in relation to digital inclusion, digital skills, or reducing barriers to opportunity in the digital economy
  • Three-year funding cycle: If you win a Local Impact Grant, you cannot reapply for 2-3 years; unsuccessful applicants can reapply annually with no restriction
  • Equity and inclusion are central: The foundation president's title includes "Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer"—demonstrate how your organization advances equity for underrepresented or underserved populations
  • General operating grants reviewed holistically: Applications are evaluated on your organization's overall community work and impact, not just a specific project—showcase your comprehensive community value

References

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