Social Justice & Resiliency Grants

Purpose: Strengthening culturally specific organizations and advancing equity and inclusion in the nonprofit sector for a more just and resilient future. Provides sustained funding for historically under-resourced communities and organizations led by communities of color.

Geographic Scope: Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania counties, Washington

Background: Created to address inequities resulting from long-term community divestment that puts Black, Native, and people of color at greater risk. Grants support capacity building and systemic change efforts to build a robust and diverse coalition of community-based organizations ready to respond in crises.

Funding Focus Areas:

1. Operating Support: For organizations serving Black, Indigenous, or People of Color; culturally specific organizations and coalitions seeking to reimagine the systems they work in
2. Systemic Change: Investments in organizations focused on systemic change, policy and advocacy efforts
3. Capacity Building: Support for organizations investing in equity work and addressing disparities in their organization and/or programming

Types of Grants:

• Proactive Grants: Awarded based on outreach and ongoing conversations with program team
• Responsive Grants: Awarded through simple, brief application process on website

Priority Organizations:

• Black- and Indigenous-led organizations
• Organizations led by communities of color
• Community-led organizations serving their own communities
• Culturally-specific organizations
• Organizations operationalizing equity and social justice

Supported Activities:

• Capacity building including advocacy, community mobilization, and community organization
• Meaningful advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion
• Institutionalization and operationalization of equitable policies, practices and strategies

Selection Process:

• Grants committee comprised of diverse community leaders and Community Foundation staff
• Equity lens applied to all decisions
• Awards to communities most impacted by systemic and structural barriers
• Rolling basis review (no submission deadline)

Phone: (360) 694-2550

Nondiscrimination Policy: Award decisions do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, religion, religious affiliation, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or any other protected status under applicable law.

Application Process

1. Submit Online Request: Fill out brief application form on website if funding needs align with Fund priorities
2. Optional Concept Vetting: Contact Program Team before submitting to discuss proposal alignment
3. Complete Form with:
   • Organization name and full contact information
   • Full name of contact person
   • Email and phone number
   • Grant amount requested
   • County or counties served (check all that apply: Clark, Skamania, Cowlitz)
   • Brief description of funding needs and request
   • Alignment with Fund criteria explanation
   • Timing of request
4. Optional Attachments: Upload supporting documents (organization narratives, budget information, other files - max 25 MB)
5. Submission: Submit through online portal
6. Program Officer Follow-up: Should receive response within 5-7 business days
7. Award Decision: Grants typically awarded within four weeks of receiving request

Application Content Requirements:

• Brief description of funding needs
• How request aligns with Fund criteria (operating support, systemic change, capacity building)
• Timing/urgency of request
• Evidence of community-led and/or culturally-specific nature of work
• Connection to serving marginalized/underserved communities

Selection Criteria:

• Organization leadership reflects community served
• Clear alignment with capacity building, systemic change, or operating support priorities
• Demonstrated equity and social justice commitment
• Serving Black, Indigenous, or People of Color communities

Key Notes:

• Rolling basis (no annual deadline)
• Can apply multiple times per year (if not already awarded in calendar year, contact Program Officer to discuss)
• Focus on emerging needs and capacity building within culturally specific organizations
• Responsive grants typically $5K-$25K; larger grants available for deep-alignment organizations (consult Program Officer)