Third Wave Fund Mobilize Power Fund 2026: Rapid Response Funding for Gender Justice Organizations

Applications are open for the Third Wave Fund Mobilize Power Fund 2026, a rapid-response funding opportunity designed to support gender justice organizations and groups in the United States and U.S. territories that need to respond quickly to unexpected, time-sensitive opportunities or threats affecting their communities, movement-building activities, or organizing conditions.

Through the Mobilize Power Fund, eligible organizations can receive grants of up to $10,000 USD, while partnerships or coalitions involving two or more groups can request up to $20,000 USD. The programme is specifically intended for organizations that need to significantly adapt or pivot their work because of an unforeseen incident or change in circumstances that occurred within the previous six months.

The Mobilize Power Fund is not intended to finance ordinary organizational activities or compensate for routine budget shortages. Instead, it provides flexible resources that enable gender justice movements to respond to rapidly changing circumstances through activities such as community organizing, direct action, healing justice, mutual aid, conflict resolution, legal or bail support, leadership development, and unexpected legislative or ballot initiative campaigns.

The September 2026 application cycle is currently open, with applications due by September 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Organizations that cannot apply during the September cycle will have another opportunity when the October cycle opens on September 9, 2026.

About the Third Wave Fund Mobilize Power Fund

The Mobilize Power Fund is a rapid-response grantmaking programme operated by Third Wave Fund to provide gender justice organizations with resources when unforeseen developments require an immediate or significant change in their work.

The fund recognizes that movement-building does not always happen according to predictable schedules. Organizations working directly with communities affected by gender oppression can encounter unexpected political developments, safety concerns, community crises, organizing opportunities, legislative changes, or other circumstances requiring an immediate response.

Rather than requiring organizations to wait for conventional long-term funding cycles, the Mobilize Power Fund provides a mechanism through which qualifying groups can seek resources to respond to these situations.

Third Wave Fund describes the programme as a resource for organizations needing to adapt or pivot their work when faced with unanticipated and time-sensitive opportunities or threats to their movement-building work and organizing conditions.

How Much Funding Is Available?

The amount organizations can request depends on whether they are applying individually as a group or organization or jointly through a partnership or coalition.

Funding is available as follows:

• Individual organizations or groups: Up to $10,000 USD
• Partnerships or coalitions involving two or more groups: Up to $20,000 USD

This makes the programme particularly relevant for organizations that require relatively small but timely grants to respond to circumstances that could not reasonably have been anticipated through their normal programming or budgeting processes.

What Is the Purpose of the Mobilize Power Fund?

The Mobilize Power Fund was established around the understanding that effective movements need the ability not only to plan long-term strategies but also to respond to immediate opportunities and threats.

Third Wave Fund explains that the programme was created because movements need flexible and responsive funding to both respond to and heal from urgent circumstances.

The first iteration of the Mobilize Power Fund supported organizers responding to HB2, the North Carolina legislation widely known as the “Bathroom Bill,” in 2016.

The fund has subsequently developed into a broader rapid-response funding mechanism for qualifying gender justice organizations confronting unexpected developments.

Who Is the Mobilize Power Fund For?

The Mobilize Power Fund supports gender justice organizations and groups whose work is rooted in and accountable to communities directly affected by gender oppression.

These organizations must be adapting or pivoting their work in response to an unexpected and time-sensitive opportunity or threat affecting their movement work or organizing conditions.

This means applicants should be able to clearly demonstrate both:

1. Their existing connection and accountability to the communities they serve; and
2. Why a recent development requires them to substantially change or expand their planned activities.

Geographic Eligibility: Where Must Applicants Be Based?

The Mobilize Power Fund is geographically restricted.

Third Wave Fund states that funding is provided only within the United States and U.S. territories.

Eligible locations include:

• United States
• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Groups based outside the United States and U.S. territories are not prioritized by the fund.

International organizations operating entirely outside these eligible geographic areas should therefore not consider this a global grant opportunity.

Organizational Budget Requirement

One of the most important eligibility requirements is the organization’s budget.

To qualify for a Mobilize Power Fund grant, an organization must have an annual organizational budget of less than $500,000 USD.

Third Wave Fund additionally prioritizes organizations and groups that:

• Operate in areas where access to philanthropic resources is limited; and
• Do not have access to 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship.

The lack of 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship therefore does not automatically exclude a group from consideration. In fact, organizations facing these structural funding barriers are specifically identified as a priority.

Core Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Third Wave Fund identifies several important areas that organizations should demonstrate through their applications.

1. Accountability to Communities

Leadership and decision-making structures should demonstrate meaningful accountability to communities directly affected by gender oppression.

The programme specifically references communities including:

• Young women of color
• Trans youth
• Queer youth
• Intersex youth
• Gender non-conforming youth
• People of color under the age of 35

Organizations should demonstrate alignment between their leadership, governance structures, and the communities they serve.

2. Gender Justice

Applicants need to demonstrate a clear gender justice analysis.

Their political analysis should explain how the issue being addressed connects to one or more areas such as:

• Patriarchy
• Transphobia
• Homophobia
• Gender inequity
• Gender-based violence

Simply responding to an urgent situation is therefore not sufficient. The organization should also demonstrate how that situation relates to gender justice.

3. Rapid Response

The organization must be responding to a specific incident or change in circumstances that occurred within the previous six months.

The situation should require the organization to significantly pivot from its ongoing and regularly planned activities.

4. Community Power Building

The strategies and activities proposed should strengthen the organizing and movement-building power of the communities involved.

The proposed activities should also directly contribute to the overall objectives described in the application.

5. Organizational Need

Organizations must have budgets below $500,000 USD to qualify.

Priority is additionally given to organizations operating in areas with limited access to philanthropic resources and organizations without access to 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship.

What Types of Activities Are Prioritized?

The Mobilize Power Fund is intended to respond to unexpected circumstances rather than support routine activities.

Third Wave Fund identifies several examples of work that may receive priority, including:

• Unexpected and time-sensitive community organizing
• Direct action
• Participatory Action Research
• Healing justice work
• Conflict mediation
• Conflict resolution
• Legal fees
• Bail fees
• Marches
• Rallies
• Leadership training
• Skills building
• Mutual aid
• Unexpected legislative campaigns
• Unexpected ballot initiative campaigns

These examples illustrate the programme’s emphasis on rapidly mobilizing resources where organizations need to respond to a new circumstance rather than simply continue activities they had already planned.

What Types of Applications Are Not Prioritized?

Organizations should carefully consider whether their proposed activities genuinely fit the rapid-response purpose of the fund before applying.

Third Wave Fund states that the Mobilize Power Fund does not prioritize applications involving:

• Budget shortfalls
• Ongoing or regularly scheduled programmes
• Start-up or seed costs
• Fundraising
• Previously planned campaigns
• Long-term campaigns
• Projects led by individuals
• Charity
• Groups based outside the United States and U.S. territories

For the purposes of this programme, Third Wave Fund defines long-term programming as programming extending beyond six months.

Applicants should therefore clearly establish that their proposed work represents a genuine response or pivot rather than an attempt to finance existing activities.

Mobilize Power Fund 2026 Application Deadlines

The Mobilize Power Fund is no longer accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Applications must instead be submitted during specific funding cycles, and all deadlines are at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

June 2026 Cycle

Applications opened: May 5, 2026
Deadline: June 2, 2026

July 2026 Cycle

Applications opened: June 3, 2026
Deadline: July 7, 2026

September 2026 Cycle

Applications opened: August 5, 2026
Deadline: September 8, 2026

October 2026 Cycle

Applications open: September 9, 2026
Deadline: October 6, 2026

Organizations planning to apply should make sure they submit within an active funding cycle.

Application Materials Required

Applicants need to gather several pieces of information and documentation before completing their submission.

Basic Information

Applicants must provide:

• Contact information
• A description of the group or organization
• A brief one-to-two-sentence description of the application

Group or Organizational Budget

Applicants should provide the group’s or organization’s total budget for the current calendar or fiscal year, where applicable.

Third Wave Fund provides an organizational budget template for this purpose.

Independent 501(c)(3) Organizations

Applicants operating as independent 501(c)(3) organizations should provide their organization’s IRS letter.

Fiscally Sponsored Organizations

Fiscally sponsored applicants should provide:

1. The fiscal sponsor’s organizational budget
2. The fiscal sponsor’s 501(c)(3) IRS letter
3. A current fiscal sponsor agreement signed by both parties

Applicants must also provide responses to the required application narrative questions.

Three Ways to Complete the Application Narrative

An important feature of the Mobilize Power Fund application is the flexibility provided for completing the narrative component.

Applicants can provide their narrative through:

1. A written application
2. A selfie video submission
3. A Zoom or phone interview

Written Applications

Written narratives should be no longer than one page and must be uploaded through the grant portal.

Video Applications

Video narratives can be up to 10 minutes long.

Applicants should upload a link to their video through the grant portal.

Phone or Zoom Applications

Organizations wishing to complete their narrative through an interview should contact Third Wave Fund to schedule a Zoom or phone call.

Interview calls must be scheduled and completed at least one week before the relevant application deadline.

Because Third Wave Fund has limited staff capacity, it may not be able to accommodate every interview request.

The fund aims to prioritize phone interviews for:

• Groups for which a written narrative is inaccessible
• Groups led by BIPOC trans people
• Groups led by young people under 25
• Groups without tax status
• Spanish-speaking groups
• Groups based in U.S. territories

Mobilize Power Fund 2026 Narrative Questions

Third Wave Fund updated its narrative proposal questions in April 2026. Previous applicants should therefore carefully review the current questions rather than relying on earlier versions of their applications.

Applicants are asked to address the following areas:

1. Purpose and Structure

Describe the purpose and structure of the organization and provide an overview of its regular activities.

Partnerships or coalitions should briefly describe each participating organization.

2. Accountability

Explain how the organization’s leadership is rooted in and accountable to the communities it serves, including young women of color and trans, queer, intersex, and gender non-conforming youth under 35.

Applicants should explain how their leadership aligns with the communities being served.

3. Context

Explain the specific incident or change in circumstances that occurred within the previous six months.

Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their proposed response relates to gender justice.

4. Pivot

Explain how the organization has pivoted or intends to pivot in response to the situation.

Applicants should explain how the proposed response differs from their existing work and provide a detailed timeline showing how their strategies and activities address the relevant incident or change.

5. Impact

Describe the impact the organization hopes to achieve within approximately six to eight months.

Applicants should also explain how young BIWOC and/or TIGNCBIPOC communities will benefit from the proposed work.

6. Partnerships

Applicants submitting a partnership or coalition proposal must explain the role each participating organization will play.

How to Apply for the Mobilize Power Fund 2026

Applications are submitted through the Proteus Fund Fluxx online grant portal.

Step 1: Access the Portal

Visit:

proteus.fluxx.io

Step 2: Create or Access Your Account

The procedure depends on whether you are a new or returning applicant.

Returning Applicants and Grantees

Organizations that have previously applied to a Third Wave Fund or Proteus Fund grant programme but have not used the new application system should use the Forgot Password function with their email address to regain access.

New Applicants

New applicants should request a new account at least three business days before the application deadline to allow time for approval.

Applicants should:

1. Select “Register Now.”
2. Complete all required fields on the registration form.
3. Select “Submit Request.”
4. Wait for a verification email.
5. Follow the verification link to create a password.
6. Log into the application system.
7. Select “Open Grant Opportunities.”
8. Choose “Third Wave Fund – Mobilize Power Fund.”
9. Begin the application.

The verification link sent to new applicants is valid for only 24 hours.

Third Wave Fund also recommends setting up the portal account in advance to allow time to resolve potential technical difficulties.

What Happens After Submitting an Application?

After submitting an application through Fluxx, applicants should receive a confirmation email.

The application will also appear under “Submitted Requests” within the applicant’s Fluxx account.

If Third Wave Fund requires clarification, additional information, or supporting documentation, the applicant will be contacted through the email address connected to their account.

The application may then be moved to “Requests to Edit”, allowing the applicant to review what additional information is required and submit the requested changes.

Applicants can also use the Fluxx portal to follow their application through the decision-making process.

When Will Applicants Receive a Decision?

Applicants are generally notified within four to six weeks after the monthly review deadline.

The notification may indicate that the application:

• Has been recommended for funding
• Has not been recommended for funding
• Requires additional follow-up information

Third Wave Fund indicates that grant payments typically occur up to two months after the monthly review deadline, after the applicant has been notified and all necessary paperwork has been completed.

Payments are generally made through ACH direct deposit where applicable.

Third Wave Fund notes that it may be able to process requests more quickly in emergency situations.

Accessibility and Applicant Support

Third Wave Fund aims to make the application process accessible.

English applications use a screen-reader-compatible online portal. Applicants who require accommodations or have feedback concerning accessibility can contact the organization directly.

For application questions or support:

Email: mpf@thirdwavefund.org
Phone: 917-387-1262 x 920

For technical problems involving the Fluxx application system, applicants can contact:

fluxx@proteusfund.org

Important Tips for Applicants

Organizations interested in applying should carefully evaluate their circumstances before beginning an application.

First, make sure the issue being addressed occurred within the previous six months and represents an unexpected development rather than a previously planned activity.

Applicants should then demonstrate why this development requires a significant pivot from their organization’s normal work.

The proposal should also clearly establish the relationship between the issue and gender justice, particularly areas such as gender inequity, patriarchy, transphobia, homophobia or gender-based violence.

Organizations should demonstrate meaningful accountability to the communities they serve and explain how the proposed activities will build community organizing and movement power.

Applicants should also remember that:

• Organizational budgets must be below $500,000.
• Individual organizations or groups can request up to $10,000.
• Partnerships or coalitions of at least two groups can request up to $20,000.
• The proposed response should address an incident or change occurring within the previous six months.
• Long-term programming extending beyond six months is not prioritized.
• New applicants should request a Fluxx account at least three business days before the deadline.
• Phone or Zoom interviews must be scheduled and completed at least one week before the application deadline.

APPLY NOW

Conclusion

The Third Wave Fund Mobilize Power Fund 2026 offers an important rapid-response funding opportunity for gender justice organizations and groups facing unexpected circumstances that require immediate adaptation, organizing, or action.

With grants of up to $10,000 USD for individual organizations and groups and up to $20,000 USD for partnerships or coalitions, the programme can provide timely financial support for organizations undertaking activities such as direct action, mutual aid, healing justice, conflict resolution, legal or bail support, leadership development, community organizing, and unexpected legislative or ballot initiative campaigns.

However, this is a highly targeted funding programme. Applicants must be based within the United States or U.S. territories, have organizational budgets below $500,000, demonstrate accountability to communities directly impacted by gender oppression, and be responding to a specific incident or change in circumstances that occurred within the previous six months.

Organizations interested in the September funding cycle should prepare their applications as soon as possible. The September 2026 deadline is September 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The October cycle will then open on September 9, with a final deadline of October 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Visit the OFY website for more Grant Opportunities.