Grassroots Leadership Fund - Capacity-Building Mini-Grant

Grassroots Leadership Fund

The Grassroots Leadership Fund, in partnership with the Kresge Foundation’s Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) Initiative, supports local activists across the country, and the small groups they lead, with immediate resources to address climate-driven urban flooding in low-income, historically marginalized communities.

Grassroots leaders participate in a multi-year learning cohort of groups working at the intersection of climate resilience, urban flooding, and equity. The cohort provides opportunities for peer learning, networking, and training, as well as individual support and coaching to help groups build organizational capacity.

Duration of Support and Grant Size

• This is a 2-year program
• They are eligible to receive a $1,000 capacity-building mini-grant.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• Applicant Criteria
  • Groups must be actively working on equity-based climate resiliency approaches to urban stormwater and wastewater systems.
  • Must represent a low-income, historically marginalized community that has been impacted by climate-driven urban flooding.
  • Have an active interest in growing their internal organizational capacity.
  • Have 501c3 nonprofit status, a fiscal sponsor, or be working towards c3 status.
  • Have limited staff capacity, with only 0-3 paid staff members.
  • Have an annual budget under $200,000.
  • Have demonstrated an ability to engage local residents or public officials on urban waters issues by convening public events, officials, etc.
• Geographical Scope
  • Project impacts must be in urban areas in the United States.
  • Advocacy and programming to address climate-driven urban flooding, green stormwater infrastructure installation, wetlands protection, or disaster response and preparedness
  • Activities such as running educational programs; coordinating neighborhood discussions; planting trees, installing rain barrels, bioswales, and other green infrastructure; policy advocacy and community organizing; environmental analysis, disaster planning, and relief efforts.