How to apply

Racial Justice Fund Grants

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We are no longer accepting grant applications for the Racial Justice grants.

Purpose

Racial Justice Grants are a one-year investment of up to $5,000 and intended for for program/project support or general operating support. These grants can support individuals (with a fiscal sponsor), programs, or initiatives that serve a specific cultural community, are led by people of color, are new or emerging organizations, or are specifically related to racial justice in Lane County.

The purpose of these grants is to invest community-identified and community-led solutions to advance racial justice in Lane County. We hope to build power, influence, access, and wealth for individuals and communities of color, and ultimately further our mission of creating opportunities for a better life for all.

Funding will be prioritized for programs serving a specific cultural community, organizations and projects led by people of color, new or emerging organizations, or initiatives specifically related to racial justice in Lane County. Unlike other United Way grants, these grants do not need to exclusively address United Way’s four Outcome Areas.

grant details

Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded for program/project support, or general operating support, to qualifying applicants.

Qualifications to apply

Applicants must:

  • Be either a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization, or apply with a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor (to learn more, view the recording of one of our learning sessions: 12/2/22 (English) or 12/6/22 (Spanish).

  • Submit a proposal that serves people located in Lane County.

Funding priorities

Funding will be prioritized for programs serving a specific cultural community, organizations and projects led by people of color, new or emerging organizations, or initiatives specifically related to racial justice in Lane County. We will particularly focus on the following issue areas, which were identified in recent listening sessions: 

  • Culturally-specific support; interpretation and translation services

  • Filling unmet needs and gaps in current services

  • Providing spaces for leaders of color to coordinate service efforts

  • Financial assistance for those navigating the justice system

  • Financial literacy; home ownership and down payment assistance; and more

Funding will be prioritized for proposals addressing the above areas, but we welcome proposals addressing other issues as well.

View the Racial Justice grant scoring rubric here.

Questions

Applicants can learn more by watching recordings of our recent English and Spanish information sessions. With further questions, please contact us at racialjustice@unitedwaylane.org.

TIMELINE AND PROCESS

We are no longer accepting applications for this grant opportunity.

  • December 2022: Applicants can access the application template

  • January 2, 2023: Applicants can create an Applicant Profile in our online grant management portal, and once approved, can submit an application (again, there will be a slight delay between creating your profile and being able to submit an application).

  • January 30, 2023 by 5:00 p.m.: Application due through online grant portal

  • April 1, 2023: Funding begins

Frequently Asked Questions

When are applications due?

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 30, 2023.

When will awards be made?

Funding will begin on April 1, 2023.

Our organization is currently receiving another grant from United Way. Are we eligible to apply for a Racial Justice Fund grant?

Yes. Please indicate in the application which United Way grant is currently supporting your efforts.

What sort of proposal would be a good fit?

Funding will be prioritized for culturally specific programming (programs that serve a particular cultural community), organizations and projects led by people of color, and initiatives specifically related to racial justice in Lane County, with a focus on the following issue areas: 

  • Funding for culturally specific support services, including interpretation and translation services 

  • Funding for unmet needs / filling the gaps between what other services provide and what folks still need

  • Providing spaces for collaboration and connection between leaders of color to coordinate service efforts

  • Financial assistance for individuals navigating the justice system

  • Financial literacy programs for people of color, especially related to homeownership and down payment assistance

View the Racial Justice grant scoring rubric here.

How will proposals be evaluated?

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of community members and Racial Justice Advisory Council members. The review panels will make funding recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors for approval in March of 2023. Following approval, applicants will be contacted with results of their proposals.

How can I learn more?

You can watch recordings of our recent Racial Justice Grant information sessions:

With further questions, contact us at racialjustice@unitedwaylane.org.