ESA Foundation Grant Application Information


The ESA Foundation does not support programs or projects that discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion or sexual orientation. 

The ESA Foundation is limited in the number of projects that we can support.  To receive funding, an organization making a grant request must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a governmental unit exempt under Section 115 and described in Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  2. Seek funding for a specific project or program that is or will be implemented or available nation-wide or at a minimum in two or more states in the United States. 
  3. Serve American youth ages 7-18.
  4. Provide programs and services that utilize technology and/or computer and video games to educate America’s youth and young adults

Limitations: In general, the ESA Foundation does not accept applications for endowment, operating support, benefit and event fundraisers, annual fund appeals, youth sports teams, religious organizations for religious purposes, political organizations or campaigns, labor groups, indirect costs, research or from fiscal agents.  Grants are not made to individuals or for projects outside the United States of America.

The ESA Foundation reserves the right to revise the grant criteria and/or process at any time.

Please email if you have questions.

Deadline for 2015 Application Submissions

The 2015 ESA Foundation Grant application period is now closed. The application period for funding in 2017 will open in the spring of 2016.  Please follow us on Twitter @ESA_Foundation or sign up for our newsletter (see the right column of this page) for updates on our grant making cycle.

ESA Foundation Grant – Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the ESAF Grant fund the purchase of hardware and software?

A: ESAF does not fund the purchase of hardware and software unless it is integral to the proposed project. For instance, if you seek funding for the purchase of new laptop computers for your school, you should apply for a different grant program. If your project engages youth through technology and/or computer and video games and you require specific hardware to accomplish the goals of the project, you can request funding for necessary hardware and software. However, the purpose of the application should not be acquiring hardware or software.

Q:What are indirect costs and are they allowed?

A: Indirect costs are expenses that are not readily identified with a particular project or program, but are necessary for general operation and the conduct of proposed activities. ESAF will allow a reasonable percentage of indirect costs to cover expenses directly related to the execution of the proposed project. However, fees charged by fiscal agents are not an eligible expense.

Q:Does ESAF have a policy that specifically states that indirect costs are not eligible or that they must be limited to a specific percentage?

A: ESAF does not have a specific policy on indirect costs. When making funding decisions, we consider the whole application, its feasibility, its other sources of funding, its resources, and its reach.

Q:Are organizations discouraged or otherwise limited in the number of applications they can submit?

A: There are no limits on how many applications you may submit.

Q:What if my organization does not have audited financials?

A: If your organization does not have audited financials, you may submit recent or previous year’s actual expenditures and income with a letter indicating that you do not have audited financials.

Q:What does it mean to be implemented in a minimum of two states?

A: To be eligible for the ESAF grant, a project or program must operate and have a physical location in at least two states where the project or program is conducted.

Q:If I put my game online is it considered nationally available?

A: Simply putting something online does not fulfill this requirement. If you wish to satisfy the multi-state location requirement by making your product or program available online, you must also submit a marketing plan that will demonstrate how you will reach your targeted audience and provide information that substantiates  your organization’s website as a trusted peer resource.

Q:Can the grant funds be used to hire or contract a computer programmer or other professionals?

A: Yes, the grant funds can be used to hire or contract professional services essential to the success of the project.

Q:What is the amount of your average grant?

A: First time grantees may be funded up to $50,000. However, the amount requested should reflect the actual cost of the project.

Q:Do you accept applications for multi-year grants?

A: At this time we are not making multi-year grant commitments.

Q:What if my project does not directly impact youth and instead works with educators to teach them how to integrate technology and/or computer games that will benefit American youth?

A: Programs that “train the trainer” are eligible for funding so long as those trained will use their training to positively impact the lives of American youth age 7-18 through technology and/or computer or video games.

Q:Is it preferable to show that we have applied to other foundations or corporations for support?

A: Our preference is for proposed projects and programs to be feasible. If your project or program requires additional funding, then it would be a detriment to the application if there were no other potential sources of revenue. If your budget can be fully funded by the ESAF grant, then it would not be considered a determent if you have not applied for funds elsewhere.

Q:Our program is part of a university. When filling in the financial information on the cover page, do we use the university’s financial information or the program/project’s financial information?

A: You may limit the financial information to the specific department or program that will implement the proposed project or program. Please also include a narrative that summarizes the financial status of the department or program in relation to the overall university, along with required financial materials.

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