The Giving Project Fund for Community Organizing

Program Type: Community organizing funding model; part of national network committed to donor organizing, wealth redistribution, and community accountability

Geographic Scope: Maine (unceded Wabanaki Territory)

Focus Areas:

• Social justice
• Economic justice
• Environmental justice
• Racial justice
• Tribal sovereignty
• Community organizing and grassroots movements

Funding Priorities:
In response to structural racism and colonization, prioritizes funding for community organizing groups focused on:

• Black Liberation
• Indigenous Sovereignty
• BIPOC-led and -serving frontline groups
• LGBTQ+ community organizing
• Working class organizing
• Rural organizing
• Other historically targeted and marginalized communities

Key Characteristics of Funded Organizations:

• Constituent-led: Led by people most directly affected by issues
• Systems Change: Addresses root causes, not just symptoms
• Collective Liberation: Brings people together across generations and issues to build collective power
• Social Justice Vision: Strong vision for social justice, part of larger movement
• Building People Power: Builds leadership from within membership, base, or community

Award Structure:

• One year of unrestricted, general operating support
• Up to $20,000 per organization
• At least 5 organizations funded annually

Model Overview:
The Giving Project is a mechanism for:

• Donor organizing
• Wealth redistribution
• Community accountability
• Shifts power in philanthropy by building skills, relationships, and political clarity needed to fund grassroots movements for the long term

Grantmaking Process:

• Grantmaking decisions made by Giving Project cohort
• Cross-class, multi-racial, multi-generational group of donor-organizers
• 20 members convene regularly over 6 months
• Engaged learning and training
• Collectively mobilize resources and evaluate applications

2026 Cohort (2025-2026 fiscal year):

• Bomazeen Land Trust
• Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition
• Resources for Organizing and Social Change (ROSC)
• Mawita'nej Epijij
• People's Coalition for Safety & Justice (PCSJ)
• nibezun
• Land in Common

2025 Cohort:

• JustME for JustUS
• Niweskok: From the Stars to Seeds
• Out in the Open
• Portland Outright
• Presente! Maine
• Southern Maine Workers Center

Address: 57 Exchange Street, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101

Application Process

2025 Application Status: Closed (November 15, 2024)

Application Steps:

1. Download and review the Funding Opportunity Announcement
2. Learn about eligibility requirements, award terms, and application instructions
3. Register for and attend applicant information session (if available)
4. Submit application by deadline

2025 Application Details:

• Deadline: November 15, 2024
• Awards announced: March 2025
• Information session: Monday, October 21st, 1:00pm-2:00pm

Selection Process:

• Grantmaking decisions made by Giving Project cohort
• Cross-class, multi-racial, multi-generational donor-organizers
• 20 members who convene over 6 months
• Committee raises funding to support grants

For Future Cycles:

• Check website for next Funding Opportunity Announcement
• Organizations should align with community organizing principles
• Submit application by announced deadline