What We Fund

We fund organizations that work to eradicate the root causes of inequity, that work toward systemic change, building grassroots strength, knowledge, and connection. We fund organizations and programs that apply a gender, racial and human rights filter to the issues. Our grants may be statewide, regional or local in scope, but only for these purposes:

 

General operating support

This means we underwrite the regular, ongoing costs that are central to an organization’s mission or that strengthen its infrastructure. This is a critical need that most other funders do not address. Without it, organizations may remain small, weak or fail.

Planning grants

This enables organizations to define the scope, strategy, roles and responsibilities of a program before implementation. This is critical as many grassroots organizations falter due to inadequate planning.

Project/program implementation

This supports specific projects or programs that have been well defined and planned and that fit into our strategic issue areas and approaches such as policy advocacy, community organizing, leadership development, media and public education, and civic participation.

Collaborative work

Funds two or more partner organizations to collaborate toward a shared goal. Partners must have a formal agreement defining roles and responsibilities.