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We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Tzedek Impact Awards!
The 2026 Impact Awards open on April 13th and close on May 15th; awards will be distributed in July 2026.
The Tzedek Impact Awards are designed to honor individuals who have engaged in systems change or community healing work in the Asheville region using the wisdom gained by directly navigating systems of oppression. Tzedek will award $5,000 to 10 individuals in a single annual round of Impact Awards. BIPOC, LGBTQ, and Jewish individuals are encouraged to apply.
Each Tzedek Impact Awardee will receive $5,000 in recognition and celebration of past achievements and accomplishments that further Tzedek’s mission and vision by addressing one or more systems of injustice, including:
- White nationalism
- Antisemitism
- Homophobia or heterosexism
- Transphobia
- White supremacy or racism
- Xenophobia
Tzedek believes that wide-ranging community efforts–from artistic interventions to grassroots organizing to nonprofit/governmental/private collaborations–are impactful in addressing the systems of injustice listed above.
The Impact Awards represent one shift in our organization towards increasingly trust-based, community-centered grantmaking models as we seek to transform the inequitable history and oppressive culture of philanthropy.
Please note: As part of our revision process, all individuals are eligible to receive an Impact Award in 2026, regardless of whether they previously received an award. Although previous recipients may apply for this award, preference is given to first-time recipients.
View Application Questions
- Tell us about your work. What are you doing to challenge injustice in your community? This could include things like racism, antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, or other harms.
- What shaped you? How have your life experiences influenced the work you do?
- Who do you work with? Tell us about the people, groups, or organizations you collaborate with. What have you all been able to do together?
- What’s changed? Because of your work, what feels different in your community?
- Anything else you want to share? You can tell us anything we didn’t ask that feels important.
View Application Rubric
| ITEM | FAIR | GOOD | EXCELLENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHALLENGING INJUSTICE What are you doing to challenge injustice in your community? This could include things like racism, antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, or other harms. | • Describes work in very general terms • Unclear connection to specific systems of injustice • Limited detail about actions taken • Role in the work is vague or passive | • Clearly describes work addressing injustice • Identifies at least one system of oppression • Provides some examples of actions or involvement • Shows an active role in the work | • Clearly names systems of injustice being addressed • Provides specific, detailed examples of actions and strategies • Demonstrates leadership, initiative, or sustained commitment • Shows depth, intention, and clarity in approach |
| LIVED EXPERIENCE How have your life experiences influenced the work you do? | • Minimal or unclear connection between personal experience and work • Reflection is surface-level or generic | • Some connection between lived experience and community work • Shares personal context • Shows how experience informs motivation or approach | • Deep, thoughtful reflection on lived experience • Clearly demonstrates how identity and experience shape leadership, values, and decision-making • Shows strong alignment between personal story and community work |
| COLLABORATIVE WORK Tell us about the people, groups, or organizations you collaborate with. What have you all been able to do together? | • Collaboration is vague or unclear • Little evidence of shared work or outcomes | • Identifies collaborators (people, groups, or organizations) • Describes joint efforts or activities • Shows ability to work with others toward shared goals | • Demonstrates strong, meaningful collaborations • Provides specific examples of what was accomplished together • Reflects power-sharing, relationship-building, or collective leadership • Shows that collaboration expanded impact |
| COMMUNITY IMPACT Because of your work, what feels different in your community? | • Impact is unclear, minimal, or not described • Focuses more on intention than results | • Describes some changes or outcomes • Provides at least one example of impact (tangible or intangible) • Shows connection between actions and results | • Clearly articulates meaningful change in the community • Includes specific examples (e.g., programs, shifts, relationships, power, etc.) • Demonstrates depth of impact (not just activity) • May include both tangible and intangible outcomes |
| REFERENCES | References provide minimal insight or lack clarity about the applicant’s work. | References provide a clear and credible picture of the applicant’s work and contributions. | References offer a detailed, specific, and compelling account of the applicant’s impact, relationships, and integrity. |
Have questions? Want support?
Join us for an in-person session!
We can assist with questions, written responses, and/or recording a video submission. Drop in or reserve a 30-minute slot. Support dates and times include:
- Wednesday, April 29th: 8:30am to 11:30am
- Thursday, April 30th: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
- Saturday, May 2nd: 10:00am to 2:00pm
- Monday, May 4th: 10:00am to 3:00pm
We’re here to make the process easier — come as you are, wherever you are in your application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible?
To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, a full-time resident of the Asheville area (living within 30 linear miles of The Asheville City Building—scroll down for a list of eligible towns) and be directly impacted by the systems of injustice you have worked to transform.
We resource individuals who have focused on addressing one or more systems of injustice, including:
- White nationalism
- Antisemitism
- Homophobia or heterosexism
- Transphobia
- White supremacy or racism
- Xenophobia
Participants who engage in activities that are in opposition to the mission, vision, or focal areas of Tzedek are not eligible. Tzedek does not fund individuals who actively or passively hinder the advancement of work toward racial justice, the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights, or the advancement of work to end antisemitism.
My relative is on Tzedek’s Board of Trustees. Can I apply for an award?
Following the IRS’s self-dealing rules, family members of Tzedek’s staff or Board, including spouses, lineal ancestors, children and their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and descendants, are not eligible. (Siblings, nieces, or nephews are eligible.)
I received an Impact Award last year. Can I apply again this year?
*Please note: As part of our revision process, all individuals are eligible to receive an Impact Award in 2026, regardless of whether they previously received an award.
No. Eligible individuals may not receive the award more than once every three years.
Which towns fall within a 30-mile radius of the Asheville City Hall Building?
Individuals who reside in one of the towns listed below are eligible to nominate themselves for an Impact Award.
| Alexander | Etowah | Mill Spring |
| Arden | Fairview | Mills River |
| Asheville | Flat Rock | Montreat |
| Barnardsville | Fletcher | Mountain Home |
| Bat Cave | Gerton | Naples |
| Black Mountain | Hazelwood | Old Fort |
| Brevard | Hendersonville | Penrose |
| Burnsville | Horse Shoe | Pisgah Forest |
| Candler | Hot Springs | Ridgecrest |
| Canton | Lake Junaluska | Saluda |
| Chimney Rock | Lake Lure | Skyland |
| Clyde | Leicester | Swannanoa |
| Dana | Marion | Tuxedo |
| East Flat Rock | Mars Hill | Waynesville |
| Edneyville | Marshall | Weaverville |
| Enka | Micaville | Zirconia |
How do I apply for this opportunity?
Nominations will be reviewed annually according to the schedule outlined below.
| Self Nominations Received By: | Award Decisions Made By: |
| April 13th – May 15th, 2026 by 11:59pm | July 10, 2026 |
| *Dates are subject to change. |
How will awardees be selected?
Community members who would like to be considered are invited to submit a self-nomination. A committee of Tzedek board members, past awardees, and community leaders will review nominations and select awardees. Eligible self-nominations from individuals who have engaged in systems change or community healing work will receive an award as long as funds are available. Self-nominations are reviewed in the order they were received.
What does Tzedek mean by “systems change” and “community healing” work?
We fund leaders who have engaged in systems change or community healing work by doing at least one of the following:
Systems Change
- Shift Policies. Changing policies, institutional practices, and laws that have a potential significant impact on the lives and experiences of LGBTQ, BIPOC, and/or Jewish people
- Cultural Change. Affecting cultural change that promotes positive narratives, practices, behaviors, and attitudes which affirm the lives of LGBTQ, BIPOC, and Jewish people
- Alternative Models. Innovating alternative models and systems (education, finance, housing, etc.) to meet the basic needs of LGBTQ, BIPOC, and Jewish people
- Redistribute, Innovate. Redistributing and allocating money and other resources to LGBTQ, BIPOC, and Jewish communities and innovating philanthropic practices to move resources
- Activate, Mobilize. Activating and mobilizing Jewish, BIPOC, LGBTQ communities, and allies to organize and advocate for collective liberation along with fighting the impact and legacy of systems of injustice.
Community Healing
- Immediate Needs. Meeting the immediate needs that arise because of LGBTQ inequality, racial inequality, and antisemitism through direct service provision and the redistribution of resources
- Practices, Spaces. Creating self-defining healing-informed practices, spaces, and strategies to support collective safety, sustainability, and wellbeing of LGBTQ, BIPOC, and Jewish people
- Affirm, Heal Harms. Creating self-defining spaces and affirming opportunities designed to heal the harms of historical trauma and injustice from systems of oppression experienced by LGBTQ, BIPOC, and Jewish people
- Direct Heal, Networks. Providing direct healing work and/or the creation of community-specific healer networks
- Addressing Conflict. Addressing conflict and struggle in transformative ways that help people move closer together, rather than further apart
How can awardees spend the money?
Awardees decide the best way to use this award. There are no strings attached to this award and there is no requirement that funds go towards past or future work expenses.
Are there other expectations tied to the award?
No. Awardees will be invited to attend an optional gathering with other Impact Awardees to connect with each other, network, and provide feedback to Tzedek about the grant program. Additionally, awardees will be invited to submit elements of their story to Tzedek staff, so that we can share your story with the local community if you so choose. There are no grant reporting requirements or expectations for you to fulfill.
If I don’t receive an award, can I re-nominate myself for the next cycle?
Yes, you may re-nominate yourself. Preference is given to individuals who have never received an award before. You may only receive one Tzedek Impact Award every three years. In other words, if you received an award in 2026, you are not eligible to receive an award in 2027, 2028, or 2029. If your past achievement was funded in one award cycle, it cannot be considered for funding again.
What is the payout process for a Tzedek Impact Award?
Once awardees are selected, they will be notified via email. Awardees will receive a check or wire transfer within two weeks of receiving the email award notification.
What are the tax implications of receiving a Tzedek Impact Award?
The tax implications will vary depending on your personal financial circumstances. Awardees will be issued a 1099 for the income received, which is also reported to the IRS and is taxable according to your individual income level and deductions.
Can my business, LLC, or corporation receive an Impact Award?
No. Impact Awards are specifically designed to fund YOU as an individual, not your business or the organization that you work for. Grants to your organization would require a different type of application, grant agreement, and reporting requirements following IRS rules. Instead, this award has no strings attached and goes to you because of the work you have done in the past to make Asheville a better place.
Can I apply if I work for an organization or project currently funded by Tzedek?
Yes. We recognize that community work is often unpaid or underpaid. Impact Awards are intended to honor you and your past achievements, not your organization.
Why Tzedek Impact Awards? Tzedek Impact Awards are designed to recognize individuals who have worked to transform the Asheville region into a community where everyone thrives. As opposed to our grantmaking that sustains the work of organizations, projects, and collectives, Impact Awards are designed to award individual community members for their past achievements and accomplishments, in a manner that furthers Tzedek’s mission.