Scherman Foundation: Democracy Program Grant

The Scherman Foundation's Democracy Program champions the empowerment of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. It focuses on enhancing civic engagement, safeguarding voting rights, and reforming democratic processes to ensure inclusivity and accountability. By supporting locally-rooted organizations in key states, the foundation aims to build a more equitable democracy where diverse voices are heard and political power is reclaimed by those historically marginalized. This program is pivotal for advancing racial justice and fostering systemic change.

NOTE: A new Letter of Intent is not required for current grantees. The Scherman Foundation accepts Letters of Intent for New Requests. Applicants will generally be advised by June if a LOI has been declined or will be invited to submit a full proposal for consideration. Please note that we primarily support current grantees and make a limited number of new grants each year.
Our Strategic Framework
We support organizations working at the intersections of these transformation areas inside our strategic framework. This framework is the foundation of our more specific and evolving program priorities.
Economic TransformationOur focus on economic transformation acknowledges that the root causes of economic inequity are linked to white supremacy and racial injustice and that the economic well being of BIPOC individuals and communities is critical for liberation. We support organizations that focus on:Strategies and models that provide BIPOC communities with greater access to capital, assets, and opportunitiesEconomic stability and security for BIPOC individuals and familiesAdvocating for more equitable economic systems through policy reform, institutional changes, and increased transparencyPolitical TransformationWe believe that those who have been excluded must lead the way in dismantling current political structures and creating new, inclusive, and reflective democratic processes. We support organizations that focus on:Work and priorities that are driven by BIPOC communities Forging multi-racial coalitions working toward racial justiceReforming political structures and processes to make the political system more accessible and accountable to BIPOC communitiesIncreasing the participation of BIPOC communities in democratic processes and decision-making at all levelsCultural TransformationRecognizing the crucial role of culture in advancing justice, we support organizations that harness storytelling, expression, and artistic activism to drive systemic change.Our focus is on collaborative narrative change strategies, innovative storytelling frameworks, and equitable media accessibility. We support organizations that focus on:Public Narrative Change: Combating misinformation and harmful stereotypes through investments in journalism, local news outlets, and nonfiction narrativesArtistic Expression: Supporting the creativity and work of BIPOC artists and communities without imposing agendas or conditions and transforming the field to do the sameArtivism: Using art as a tool for organizing grassroots movements and collective action, including funding on-the-ground storytelling and public art projects
General Criteria
We consider the following general criteria in our grantmaking process.
Organizations that are accountable to or directed by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.While we prioritize BIPOC leadership, our main focus is on organizations where BIPOC communities have clear influence and decision-making power over the organization's strategy, direction, programmatic work, and finances.Organizations that are intersectional in their work and practices.Intersectionality recognizes that individuals hold multiple identities, shaping their experiences with power. We look for organizations that demonstrate a deep understanding of intersectionality in their mission, programs, and practices; center the voices and experiences of those most affected by multiple forms of oppression; and address the interconnectedness of racial justice with economic status, gender, LGBTQ+, and/or disability justice as well.Organizations that work with others to build movements toward racial justice.Movement-building is the long-term process of organizing and empowering individuals and organizations to collectively work towards systemic change and a shared vision.We look for organizations and coalitions that reflect key characteristics of movement building including an authentic mass base; grassroots leadership; a shared ideology or narrative; broad coalition-building; and strategy to create and sustain structural change beyond specific organizations or campaigns. The Foundation supports organizations focused on organizing and advocacy, while our Arts funding includes a wider range of approaches.
The Democracy program is driven by the belief that a vibrant democracy requires consistent and meaningful political and civic participation by the vast majority of the population, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities that have long been excluded from power. A core tenet of our grantmaking will be to support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities in their efforts to reclaim and build political power.
State-level work is a key lever for building that power, and the Foundation will provide support to locally-based BIPOC and multi-racial groups that are rooted in their communities, are trusted sources of information, encourage year-round civic engagement in local, municipal, state, and federal elections, and build the power of BIPOC communities to achieve a reflective and responsive multi-racial democracy at the state level. Building state-level power and statewide civic engagement infrastructure will allow BIPOC communities to achieve more racially just democratic, economic, climate, cultural, and reproductive policies, create a pipeline for BIPOC leadership, and make state and federal institutions more accountable.

Eligibility

Organizations must have 501(c)(3) charitable status or a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status.GeographyThe Foundation will support grantees working in the following states: New York, New Jersey, and PennsylvaniaExpanded support for work in Ohio and MichiganThe Foundation will also fund a limited number of national and multi-state organizations, funder collaboratives, and/or intermediaries that work within or outside of priority states. To qualify for support, they must provide essential capacity-building for state based work or unique and effective policy, narrative, advocacy, or financial support to local grassroots organizations regarding one or more of our program priorities.

Ineligibility

We do not consider:Grants to support specific events or productionsDirect service work unless embedded in a larger organizing and movement building strategyOrganizations primarily working outside of the U.S.