THE BUILDER FUND

MICROGRANTS

[PRESENTED BY]

IN COLLABORATION WITH BREAKOUT FOUNDATION ARTIST & ANTHROPOLOGIST-IN-RESIDENCE, MARLON HALL

Bringing together culturally and cognitively curious professionals, practices, and perspectives through Breakout community gatherings.

We’re thrilled to announce a new initiative to support bridge-builders in our community through quarterly awards totaling $10,000. This marks an essential evolution in our commitment to year-round opportunities for changemakers—those who bring people together across lines of difference who otherwise might not meet.

To help set a strong foundation for what this can look like, we’re proud to partner with Breakout Foundation’s Artist and Anthropologist-in-Residence, Marlon Hall. With his global expertise in convening transformative gatherings, Marlon will help shape the experiences we fund—and the ones we hope you’ll feel inspired to host.

Already part of the Breakout Community? That includes City Attendees, Foundation Grantees, and Programmatic Partners. Hosting—or planning—a gathering of curious minds? You’re in the right place.

🔔 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, September 16th. Grant awards will be announced on Monday, September 22nd. Funded events must be executed within 60 days of the award date.

*Microgrants total $500 in unrestricted funds per project. See eligibility requirements below. 

To be Eligible to Apply, you must:

  • Be a part of the Breakout Community. That includes City Attendees, Foundation Grantees, and Programmatic Partners.

  • Be based in the United States and be at least 21 years old at the time of application.

  • Apply as an individual or on behalf of a social enterprise.

    *We define a social enterprise as a business or organization (501 c3 non-profit, for-profit, co-operative, etc.), committed to creating a positive impact on societyand contributing to the greater good.

    While we are interested to re-explore in the future, if you are a 501c4, 501c5, or 501c6, you are not eligible.

  • Be committed to actively participating in Builder Microgrant guidelines and in-network community-building activities.

  • Align with Breakout Foundation’s mission to champion change and believe in the power of everyday people to be catalysts for a more equitable future.

  • Be prepared to utilize the funding to unite curious minds with unique projects.

  • The Breakout Foundation cannot fund political candidates and or politically affiliated organizations, programs and/or initiatives.

Deadline → September 16th→

Deadline → September 16th→

YOUR GATHERING SHOULD INCLUDE…

✅ 10 - 20 guests (suggested), and no more than 30 guests

✅ A mix of cultural and vocational backgrounds

✅ Individuals working on/supporting unique, community-focused, or city-specific projects

✅ Attendees who don’t yet know each other but should

Primary Goal: Encourage gatherings of diverse city leaders working on:

Social enterprises, non-profits, community organizations, unique events, community projects, and initiatives with a city-benefiting “north star”.

Elements of Your Gathering:

  1. Recharge & Joy: Attendees should leave feeling inspired, energized, and connected.

  2. Tangible Dialogue: A clear discussion on challenges & opportunities faced by the group.

  3. Collaboration Potential: Exploration of new relationships & partnerships among participants.

Creative Ideas Prioritized: Low-cost, high-impact concepts, with $500 grants to power it to life.

Check out The Builder Fund Toolkit, curated with Breakout Foundation’s Artist & Anthropologist-in-Residence, Marlon Hall.

This guide will help hosts set the tone for their gathering & ensure alignment with Breakout’s values.

Honing your Story, Tone, & Impact

Learn some tips and tricks from Marlon on how to set the tone, story, and impact for your gathering & ensure alignment with Breakout’s values.

A bit about us…

Breakout Foundation Artist & Anthropologist-in-Residence,

MARLON HALL

Marlon has worked closely with the Breakout Team to cultivate transformative experiences in Tulsa, Sandia Pueblo reservation, and most recently Miami.

His work is rooted in social practice and grown from anthropological listening and spans global reach, activating socially engaged art-installations, large scaled photography, ethnographic films shaped as visual poems, and 200+ carefully designed salon dinners all over the world.

Currently, Marlon is based in Houston, Texas and works globally. We implore that you learn more about his practice. We are grateful to be thought partners on the Builder Microgrants. 

Pictured: 2025 Breakout Miami

The Breakout Foundation

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Since 2014, The Breakout Foundation has given direct and unrestricted funding to local leaders lifting their communities up across the US. Our passion lies in cultivating vibrant and creative cultural ecosystems that foster meaningful connections between changemakers, innovators, and funders.

OUR BOARD

We're not your typical grantmakers. As a volunteer-run foundation, we're composed of industry-agnostic community builders with diverse backgrounds from across the country.

Our foundation board is composed of Breakout community members that have come together to push the mission forward.

Learn more about who are board is here!