Justice and Liberation Fund Grant

The Justice and Liberation Fund Grant, administered by the Headwaters Foundation for Justice, provides $50,000 in unrestricted operating support to Black-led organizations in Minnesota that address systemic injustices. This funding aims to strengthen the Black movement ecosystem by empowering community-led initiatives that advance equity and justice. The grant prioritizes organizations that are rooted in the experiences of those directly affected by social issues, fostering transformative change through collective power and accountability.

Headwaters Foundation for Justice
Headwaters Foundation for Justice is a Minneapolis-based community foundation that invests in grassroots organizing across Minnesota.
We do this through grantmaking programs that support organizations and groups on the front lines of social change. Each of our programs invites community members to learn about and lead the foundation's grantmaking work. We prioritize work led by and for Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color through our four core values of advancing equity, demanding inclusion, transforming power, and trusting in community.
Justice & Liberation Fund Grant
The Justice & Liberation fund provides financial resources to Black-led groups working on the frontlines of justice. Organizations selected for Justice and Liberation Fund (J&L Fund) grants will receive unrestricted, general operating support of $50,000 paid out over two years. These grants will advance and strengthen the Black movement ecosystem in Minnesota.
The Justice & Liberation Fund is housed within the Black Radiance Network at Headwaters Foundation for Justice. Together with the Justice & Liberation fund, we’re investing in a future where justice, dignity, and self-determination for Black Minnesotans is centered.
Purpose
Drawing on generations of Black power, they name, imagine, and build pathways out of systemic oppression. These leaders and elders are grounded in the far-reaching ancestral wisdom of Black movements for justice.
We hope that by deeply investing in Black-led work and organizations throughout Minnesota, Black movement will receive the respect, recognition, and resources it deserves.
Key Characteristics of a Justice & Liberation Fund Grant Recipient
While the work and visions for building change for Black Minnesotans will reflect diverse communities, tactics and focus areas, J&L grantees will share the following characteristics:
Base Leadership and AccountabilityThis fund is dedicated to supporting initiatives that are led by and for Black communities.Collective PowerTo drive meaningful and lasting change, organizations must focus on addressing the root causes of systemic injustice. Root causes are deeply intertwined with other challenges and tackling them effectively requires a commitment to building collective power.Root CausesOrganizations must understand and address how root causes connect to the broader systemic issues. By identifying collective issues and their connections to foundational problems, organizations can create sustainable ecosystems for liberation, ensuring that their efforts lead to transformative, long-term change.GoalsA solid plan is necessary to outline an organization’s objectives and include measurable benchmarks, as these are essential for accountability. Once the organization has a documented plan, it can hold itself accountable while also enabling the base to understand what to expect and to hold the organization accountable in turn.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Justice & Liberation Grant, you must meet the following:Be a legally incorporated entity with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status or have a fiscal sponsorBe based in and carry out work in MinnesotaBe substantively led by Black people most directly affected by the issues the organization is working on.Our definition of Black-led is an organization that has a Black executive director, 51% of the base leadership is Black and is dedicated to serving and prioritizing Black MinnesotansSatisfied all prior Headwaters Foundation for Justice reporting requirementsIn addition, eligible organizations may:Be a current or past Headwaters grantee partnerBe new to HeadwatersBe either an emerging or established organization

Ineligibility

The following types of organizations and activities are ineligible for this grant:Organizations that primarily provide direct servicesOrganizations that are not Black-ledEndowment funds or capital organizationsPartisan efforts