Future Fund Grant

The Future Fund Grant, offered by the Bread & Roses Community Fund, provides $5,000 to emerging groups in Philadelphia focused on social justice and community organizing. It aims to support those challenging power imbalances and fostering sustainable change. Eligible applicants must meet specific criteria, including being a designated 501(c)(3) organization. While the fund champions innovative activism, it does not support direct service work or traditional educational programs. Applications open February 1, 2027 through March 1, 2027.

In 1977, a collective of organizers, activists, and donors launched Bread & Roses Community Fund as a home for channeling money to movements for real change in the Philadelphia region. To date, Bread & Roses has unleashed more than $17 million to flow to local grassroots groups taking collective action toward the liberation of all people.
We support movements and their leaders through fundraising, grantmaking, capacity building, and convening.
Our Approach
We raise money through donations of all sizes and make grants using a democratic, community-led decision-making process. Our grants go to local groups working for good schools, fewer prisons, better jobs, a safe environment, quality health care, and more.
The Future Fund provides $5,000 grants to groups that are working on emerging issues or developing new approaches to social justice activism or community organizing. These groups may employ one or more effective strategies, such as cultural work, media advocacy, and political education.

Eligibility

The Future Fund makes grants to groups that:Meet all basic eligibility requirements:Must be located in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Camden countiesMust be designated by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization or have a fiscal sponsor that is designated by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization or have documentation of a pending 501(c)3 application with the IRSMust be current with all progress reports from previously awarded Bread & Roses grantsMust submit a complete application prior to the deadline (because of the volume of applications we receive, we cannot make exceptions)Must be using community organizing to create sustainable social changeAre new or emerging groups or organizations that are new to Bread & RosesAre focusing on developing their capacity and skills to build a local base and take collective action against the problem being addressedAre led by people most affected by injustice, and focus on building broad membership and leadership bases that can survive when key leaders step downUnderstand power and can talk about how they are trying to challenge power imbalances within their organizations and in their communities as well as between community members and policy makersAre less likely to be funded by more traditional funders, because of their commitment to challenging power and prioritizing the leadership of marginalized people; therefore, a grant from Bread & Roses would be critical to seeding or sustaining their work

Ineligibility

Bread & Roses does not provide funding for:Direct service work/social servicesResearchSchools or educational programsCapital campaigns or building projectsScholarships, fellowships, or grants to individuals Groups cannot receive grants from both the Future Fund and the Racial & Economic Justice Fund during the same year.