The 1954 Project Luminary Award

The 1954 Project, a program of The CAFE Group, transforms education equity through love-fueled philanthropy. We invest in bold leaders with lived expertise to disrupt the status quo, providing catalytic funding, leadership development, visibility, and a deeply connected network built on trust and shared purpose. Through our focus on diversifying the teacher pipeline, advancing culturally responsive education, and driving economic mobility, we drive transformative change in Black communities—creating equitable systems that benefit everyone.

The name honors the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional and highlighted the inherent inequality it perpetuated. Our initiative is named to recognize this pivotal moment in history, and we aim to continue advancing the promise of equity in education—a mission that remains unfulfilled more than half a century later.

We focus on three interconnected areas critical to advancing equity: Innovation in Teaching and Learning: Creating more effective, equitable, and culturally affirming education models that center Black students and ultimately serve all students. Diversity in Education: Increasing the number of Black educators and leaders through innovative initiatives and programs. Pathways to Economic Mobility: Strengthening pathways from education to career to improve economic outcomes for Black students and families.

Our approach is informed by the lived and professional experiences of our founders, Liz and Don Thompson. From their roots in Chicago to leading multimillion-dollar enterprises, Liz and Don exemplify the power of investing in leaders often overlooked. Their active and immersive philanthropy drives our mission to create transformative community impact.

Each Luminary organization receives a $1 million unrestricted grant over three years, along with mentorship, community-building, and leadership support to scale their impact. Finalists for the 2025 Award will each receive $25K to their organization.

Being a 1954 Project Luminary offers a range of benefits: Catalytic Capital: Luminaries receive a $1 million grant that provides significant financial resources to deepen and expand their organizational efforts. National Visibility: Access to a vast network of philanthropists, funders, and thought leaders enhances opportunities for collaboration and increases the exposure of their initiatives nationally. This visibility is further amplified by public speaking opportunities that raise awareness and attract additional support. Ongoing Support: Over three years, Luminaries engage in a comprehensive journey of mentorship, leadership development, and strategic advisory. This experience includes curated professional training sessions, access to advanced technology tools, and tailored guidance on managing and scaling operations effectively. Luminaries also receive targeted support in developing sustainable strategies for their initiatives. This includes resources and insights on fundraising, donor engagement, and diverse financial models to ensure the longevity and resilience of their impact Community: The 1954 Project Network fosters deep, authentic relationships grounded in trust, care, and shared purpose. This vibrant community of like-minded leaders provides a space to exchange best practices, access resources, and grow together, promoting both personal and organizational development in an environment of mutual support and collaboration. Together, these offerings provide Luminaries with the essential tools, networks, and resources necessary to effect substantial and lasting change in the field of educational equity.

Leadership continuity is a critical part of our selection process. If leadership changes occur, we work closely with the organization to determine the best path forward in alignment with the mission of The CAFE Group’s 1954 Project. Why We Care When leaders remain actively engaged over the long term, they not only ensure the stability and growth of their organizations, but also significantly enhance the impact on their communities.

Luminaries must personally participate in all program activities throughout their three-year term. This includes approximately two in-person events annually, monthly virtual coaching sessions, quarterly professional development programs, and optional opportunities to engage with The 1954 Project community. While staff members may occasionally be invited to specific events, the selected leader must attend all core programming.

The 2025 application process for The 1954 Project Luminary Award spans from February 2025 to August 2025. It consists of three distinct rounds: Round 1 and Round 2: These initial stages involve submitting narrative responses, financial details, and relevant supporting documents. Round 3: Finalists will participate in a one-hour interview with The CAFE Group team. Additionally, there is a Board Member Interview to provide further insight into each finalist's qualifications and potential impact. The process will conclude with the selection of award recipients in August 2025.

We know technical issues can be frustrating, and we’re here to help! Before contacting our team, please try these troubleshooting steps: Clear your browser cache and cookies. Try using a different web browser (we recommend Chrome, Firefox, or Safari). Ensure your internet connection is stable. Check that all required fields are completed. Confirm that you are using the correct username. Note: Your username is not the same as your email address. It can be found at the top of your portal (when logged in) and in your initial account registration email. Add the1954project@thecafegroup.org to your email contacts to ensure you receive our communications. If you continue to experience technical issues after trying these steps, please email the1954project@thecafegroup.org with: A brief description of the issue. Any error messages you’re receiving. Screenshots of the problem (if possible). Our team will respond as soon as possible to help resolve your technical difficulties.

While we strive to support all applicants, our ability to provide individual feedback is currently limited by the high volume of submissions. We encourage applicants to reapply in future cycles and recommend reviewing our published selection criteria.

The interview with the Board Member at the finalist stage allows us to gain an additional perspective on a potential Luminary by speaking to someone familiar with the leader and the organization, but who is not part of the staff. Applicants who reach this stage will receive detailed guidance on this part of the process

The 1954 Project’s evaluation rubric is based on three categories that reflect the program’s values and goals: Leader: Applicants are evaluated on their ability to lead with vision, resilience, and a deep commitment to advancing equity. Organization: We assess the organization’s ability to create significant, lasting change through a clear understanding of the challenges they address and a strategy rooted in measurable goals. Radical Imagination: This category focuses on the candidate’s ability to transform bold visions into tangible outcomes, challenge societal norms, and advance innovative solutions for a just and equitable future. Each category has a set of associated criteria on which the application is scored holistically, ensuring that no single factor outweighs the overall alignment with our mission.

Round 1 and Round 2 Applications: Each application round will take approximately 3–5 hours to complete. Round 3 Interview: The interview process, including the Board Member Interview, requires about 1 hour.

Our multi-phase application process is designed to ensure a comprehensive and equitable evaluation of each applicant's potential. By extending our review across several stages, we can go beyond initial written submissions to gain a deeper insight into the finalists' work, leadership qualities, and vision. This structured approach helps us to accurately assess the potential for significant impact.

The CAFE Group is committed to clear and timely communication throughout the selection process. We will send email updates from the1954project@thecafegroup.org at each stage to keep you informed about your application status. To ensure you receive these important notifications: Add the1954project@thecafegroup.org to your email contacts or address book. Check your spam or junk folder regularly. If applicable, inform your IT department to allowlist our domain (thecafegroup.org) to prevent emails from being blocked.

Round One Applicants can access a downloadable copy of the application question on the portal Application page. All final responses must be submitted through the online application portal. Emailed submissions will not be accepted

Before contacting our team, please try these troubleshooting steps: Clear your browser cache and cookies Try using a different web browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) Ensure your internet connection is stable Check that all required fields are completed Confirm that you are using the correct username. Your username is not the same as your email address. Your username can be found at the top of your portal (when logged in) and in the initial account registration email. Add the1954project@thecafegroup.org to your email contacts to ensure you receive our communications. If you continue to experience technical issues after trying these steps, please email the1954project@thecafegroup.org with: A brief description of the issue Any error messages you're receiving Screenshots of the problem (if possible) Our team will respond as soon as possible to help resolve your technical difficulties.

We seek visionary nonprofit leaders with a proven track record in driving education outcomes in Black communities, who demonstrate proximity, lived expertise, and a deep commitment to equity for Black students and communities impacted by systemic inequities. Applicants must align with one of our three impact areas.

The eligibility form for the 2025 Luminary Award Application is now closed.

The 1954 Project will fund leaders at the regional office level of national organizations or the national office level of international organizations. However, The 1954 Project will not fund leaders who manage specific programs or divisions within these organizations.

In the eligibility form, “gift” refers specifically to monetary contributions your organization has received, including: Foundation grants Government funding Corporate grants Individual monetary donations Other charitable monetary contributions In-kind donations, pro-bono services, and non-monetary support are not included in this calculation.

We celebrate the vital work happening at all stages of organizational growth. Our eligibility criteria are designed to ensure that organizations are at a stage where they can fully absorb the Luminary Award and benefit from our programmatic offerings. This opportunity is intended for organizations where the funding and support can be most catalytic—accelerating transformation, sustaining long-term impact, and aligning with a leader’s vision for scale. By sharing these guidelines upfront, we aim to respect applicants’ time and help them determine whether this opportunity is the right fit before committing to a full application.

While organizations may serve multiple communities, what is essential is alignment with our impact areas: Innovation in Teaching and Learning: Creating more effective, equitable, and culturally affirming education models that center Black students and ultimately serve all students. Diversity in Education: Increasing the number of Black educators and leaders through innovative initiatives and programs. Pathways to Economic Mobility: Strengthening pathways from education to career to improve economic outcomes for Black students and families. We encourage you to review these along with our applicant criteria to help determine if you should apply.