Hyper-local Philanthropy that Creates Trust, Pride, and Results

Building on the success of the founding cohort, Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute is selecting 25 new Community Hosts in 2027 to inspire more weaving and nurture deeper trust in communities across the nation. They will do this by bringing the Weaver Awards to their community for four consecutive years. 

Applications will open in late summer 2026. If you’re curious and want to learn more, join us at one of our two info sessions. The first is July 28 at 12:00pm ET. Register here. The second is Sept. 10, 12:00 pm ET. Click here to register for info session #2.

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The Community Host Role: Benefits, Activities, and Supports

Community Hosts implement the Weaver Awards in their communities, creating the conditions for social trust to grow. They invest in the weavers who foster positive relationships and address immediate community needs, while also leading a shift in norms towards connection and trust that will benefit generations to come. 

Organizations that step up as Community Hosts benefit directly and significantly from their leadership, through:

• An enhanced reputation as a trusted leader and changemaker, bridging social trust/connection in their community
• Prestige on a national stage, as a part of a movement that is advancing an innovative approach to philanthropy and community building
• The opportunity to implement a ready-to-use, proven model that bolsters their existing work and organizational goals and uplifts their community

Community Hosts decide how to bring the Weaver Awards to life in their neighborhoods, through activating, amplifying the stories of, and showing the power and impact of weavers and weaving, while also building the national movement for weaving. Weave articulates what all Community Hosts must do to ensure excellence and coherence across the Weaver Awards. However, Weave does not prescribe a singular approach as the Community Hosts — local organizations with strong community ties and a strong track record of successful services — are best positioned to determine what is right in their context.

To help Community Hosts fulfill the roles and responsibilities detailed above, Weave provides best-in-class guidance and support including:

• Proven tools and templates to adapt and use in your local context
• A national peer network of Community Hosts to share ideas and support
• A measurement and evaluation dashboard to support your fundraising efforts and stakeholder engagement
• Training, technical assistance, and learning opportunities tailored to your needs, with 1:1 support from Weave
• $225,000 in startup funding ($125,000 in 2027 and $100,000 in 2028)

Who Should Apply? 

Weave encourages organizations that meet the criteria of a strong Community Host to apply. Successful Community Hosts: 

• Are committed to rebuilding social trust and believe that weaving is an essential way to do so 
• Have a strong track record of running successful and stable programs with and in their communities 
• Are eager and able to implement the Weaver Awards in their community for four years, in alignment with Weave’s expectations and guidance 
• Believe that collaboration, knowledge exchange, and coordination are essential to driving systemic change on local and national scales, and recognize the power of participating in a growing movement to rebuild social trust 

All interested organizations should confirm they meet the basic technical requirements of the Community Host role before applying. These include:

• The operational, financial, and programmatic capacity to implement the Weaver Awards for four years, and in particular the ability to distribute microawards or other funding to individuals and small nonprofits (with budgets <$250,000)
• A minimum organizational budget of $1,000,000
• Compliance with the terms of the sub-grant agreement with Weave:
  • Submit data and financial reports to Weave through one interim report and one final report each year 
  • Participate in scheduled bi-annual check-in calls with Weave to discuss progress to date, highlight risks and challenges, request support, provide feedback, and reflect
  • Participate in an in-person annual Harvesting Session, during which Weave convenes representatives from all Community Hosts to share successes, challenges, and best practices