Apply to the Buck Dinner

Any organization wishing to apply for a grant must do so by using the 2026 Grant Application. This form includes a submit button. If you prefer to download the form, please submit the application to: application@buckdinner.org.These must be received no later than May 23, 2026. If you receive a grant for 2026, you must submit your report by January 31, 2027, or you will be ineligible for a 2027 grant. You will receive information and a link to submit your report if you receive a Buck Dinner grant. For questions contact info@buckdinner.org

The mission of the Buck Dinner is to support groups working for progressive social change and defending against erosion of our civil rights and civil liberties. The Buck Dinner will support specific projects or provide general operating support to those organizations which can demonstrate that its work’s central focus is advocacy efforts that have an impact. General operating support is intended to help ensure the stability and build the capacity of progressive organizations in southeastern Michigan. 

The Buck Dinner supports justice, peace and equality. The Buck Dinner Committee consists of Headhunters, who invite guests to sit at their table at the dinner and contribute as many bucks as they can. The amount of money available for grants each year depends on the amount generated at the dinner. 

Several weeks after the dinner, headhunters gather to review applications and reports from organizations that previously received grants and to make decisions about that year’s distribution of funds. The Buck Dinner Committee provides funding for some projects; others are funded by attendees’ donations to the Fund for Equal Justice, which provides grants eligible for its Section 501(c)(3) funds. 

REPORTS

All 2026 grant recipients are required to submit a report to reports@buckdinner.org by January 31, 2027. A report form will be shared with all grantees.Filing this report is required for future grant consideration. You must include a few photographs with your report.

Support the Buck Dinner

To support the work of the Buck Dinner, please click here