Community Power Grantmaking Program

Community Power Grantmaking Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: if, A Foundation for Radical Possibility
Amount: Up to US $75,000
Last Updated: May 18, 2025

Summary

The Community Power Grantmaking Program by if, A Foundation for Radical Possibility aims to empower Black communities and people of the global majority through equitable funding initiatives. This program prioritizes organizations that actively engage in community organizing, advocacy, and operationalize racial equity. By fostering local power and supporting systemic change, the foundation seeks to create healthy, self-determined communities in the Washington, DC region, enhancing collaboration and innovative solutions for social justice.

Overview

About if, A Foundation for Radical Possibility if, A Foundation for Radical Possibility envisions an equitable and just region and nation in which Black people and people of the global majority live powerfully, abundantly and beautifully in healthy, self-determined communities free of social, economic and ideological violence. We achieve our vision by centering the leadership and expertise of Black people and people of the global majority in the Washington, DC region who live at the sharpest intersection of systems of oppression, in particular race, class and gender identity. We build relationships to transform how philanthropic, nonprofit and government resources are deployed to disrupt institutions and structures that perpetuate anti-black racism and other intersectional discriminatory harms. We share power and decision-making and we support organizations that build the people’s power to demand and achieve justice. We take risks that others are not willing to take and we are comfortable seeding bold ideas and sparking innovation. We speak our truth and support platforms for communities to tell their own truths, and we heal ourselves and facilitate healing in our communities. Within this framework, if is embedding community engagement in its Board structure, grantmaking and capacity building programs, communications, and healing justice work. Funding Priorities if will provide funding support for organizations that are: committed to racial equity and are operationalizing it undertaking community organizing or community engagement, andundertaking advocacy. if will support the organizing of low-income patients/clients, workers, community members, immigrants, and others. if will also support community-based organizations and nonprofits that use advocacy strategies with a racial equity lens at the local, state and regional levels. Advocacy for local, state, and regional policy change and systems reform is essential to achieve the change we envision. if defines advocacy as efforts to create local, state and regional policy change and systems reforms that benefit Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, and people of color communities in the Washington, DC region. Activities could include community engagement and organizing among residents in low-income neighborhoods, development of policy recommendations, policy implementation and monitoring, budget and policy analysis, coalition or network building, convenings, stakeholder engagement and collective problem solving among diverse groups, campaigns, media and communication.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.Located and doing work in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region: District of Columbia; Prince George’s County, Maryland; Montgomery County, Maryland; and/or Northern VirginiaNational organizations and academic institutions may apply in partnership with community-based nonprofit groups serving as lead organizations/applicantsDiversity of organization:Board must be composed of 50% or more Black people and people of the global majority. Staff must be led by and composed of 50% or more Black people and people of the global majority.