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 are now open, and close Oct. 4, 2026.
If you’re curious and want to learn more, join us at our next info session on Sept. 10 at 12pm ET. Click here to register.
We will also hold office hours on Sept. 16 at 12pm ET to answer any questions that arise as you begin working on your application. Click here to register.
July 28 Info Session Recording
Slides from the above recording are available for view or download below.
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?
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 to:
- Individuals,
- Informal/unincorporated groups or associations, and/or
- Formal/incorporated organizations with budgets less than $250,000
- A minimum organizational budget of $1,000,000
- Compliance with the terms of the subaward agreement with Weave:
- Distribute at least 20 awards ($2,500 – $5,000 each) every year for four years
- Monitor progress of selected awardees for at least six months per cohort
- Participate in two coordinated public announcements per year
- Submit two interim reports per year
- Participate in biannual update calls
- Participate in an annual Harvest Session during which Community Hosts collectively discuss successes, challenges, and best practices.
Please note that at this time, Weave is only accepting applications from nonprofit organizations and public entities located in the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C.