Saying the 2023 Group Wealth Development Grant!

SJF is pleased to announce the 2023 Community Wealth Building Grant! This grant cycle will fund organizing that aims to address economic injustice, build power to transform unjust systems, and overcome barriers to wealth for individuals, families, and communities.

The Community Wealth Building Grant is open to community-based projects based in Seattle (or conduct the majority of their work in/with Seattle communities). This grant cycle is a Generational Wealth Initiative project, a collaboration between the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and Social Justice Fund NW. Please read the following information carefully before beginning your application.

Key details:

• Grant awards: One-time grants of $50,000
• Eligibility: Organizations/collectives based in Seattle (or that conduct the majority of their work in/with Seattle communities) that work within SJF’s community organizing framework and one or more of the six Community Wealth Building strategies (see “What we will fund” section below)
  • Priority given to organizations with:
    • Black, Indigenous, and people of color led organizations (51% or more)
    • Organizations with operating budgets under $500,000
    • Applications that include one or more of the following Community Wealth Building strategy focuses:
      • Broad-based Worker Ownership
      • Community Controlled Capital
      • Community Ownership of Real Estate
      • Equitable Small Business Ecosystems
• Application open: Monday, September 18, 2023
• Application deadline: Thursday, October 26, 2023 by 11:59PM PT
• Informational webinars:
• Application portal
• Questions? Click here to email the SJF team at your earliest convenience

What we will fund

These one-year grants of $50,000 will fund organizing that aims to address economic injustice, build power to transform unjust systems, and overcome barriers to wealth for individuals, families, and communities. This grant cycle will support community organizing efforts that test, implement, explore, and/or seek to learn about one or more of the Community Wealth Building Strategies.. Please click here to read the expanded definitions of the Community Wealth Building Strategies as well as examples of organizing work that would qualify for this grant.

Community Wealth Building Strategies (* indicates priority strategies)

1. 1. Broad-based Worker Ownership*
   2. Community Controlled Capital*
   3. Community Ownership of Real Estate*
   4. Progressive Procurement
   5. Equitable Small Business Ecosystems*
   6. Wealth Retention and Asset Building Programs

The intent of the Community Wealth Building Grant is to develop and support projects and programs that:

1. Support individuals, families, and/or communities gain the knowledge to overcome barriers to building wealth
2. Present a learning and support structure for participants that can help build power and set the groundwork for transforming unjust systems
3. Promote wealth building education and empowerment through innovative learning structures that aim to address economic and racial inequities, providing a greater public good
4. Provide meaningful resources for individuals, families, or communities to directly practice the strategies and/or use the skills they are learning through the program
5. Address economic injustices through culturally relevant structures that will lead to both immediate gains and long-term impact

Eligibility

Eligible organizations must meet the following criteria:

• Projects that test, implement, explore, and/or seek to learn about one or more of the six Community Wealth Building strategies
• Organizations/collectives that work within SJF’s community organizing framework
• Organizations/collectives that clearly outline how they incorporate Community Wealth Building strategies into their active work 
• Organizations/collectives that conduct their work in Seattle (or conduct the majority of their work in/with Seattle communities) 
• Nonprofit organizations, tribal agencies, or groups sponsored by a nonprofit organization or tribal agency
  • This grant can fund:
    • Organizations with 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 status as determined by the IRS
    • Federally recognized American Indian tribal government or agency
    • Organizations that are fiscally sponsored by 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 organizations or by federally recognized tribal governments

Priority

We will prioritize organizations in both the prescreening and final decisions process that:

• Have leadership (at least 51%) from Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities, and/or
• Have an operating budget under $500,000  
• Have one or more of the following Community Wealth Building strategy focuses: 
  • Broad-based Worker Ownership
  • Community Controlled Capital
  • Community Ownership of Real Estate
  • Equitable Small Business Ecosystem

Grantmaking timeline

• Application open: Monday, September 18, 2023
• Applications deadline: Thursday, October 26, 2023 by 11:59PM PT
• Prescreening completed: Early November 2023
• Grantee decisions finalized: Early December 2023
• Grants disbursed (anticipated): January 2024

How to apply

1. Navigate to our Grants Portal – Foundant
2. Click “Create new account” or log in if you already have an account
3. If you need to create an account, you’ll be prompted to enter information necessary to establish a new account
4. You’ll then be prompted to create a password and verify your email. After doing so, your account will be active
5. Once you are logged in, the link to the application portal will deliver you to the application page
6. Click the blue “Apply” button on the 2023 Community Wealth Building Grant application; this will bring you to the application form
7. Begin working on the application; save to return to the form later, submit only when you are finished

If extra support is needed, please review this help video.

Questions?

If you’re not sure whether your organization’s work qualifies, or have any questions about this grant, please contact Lady Anderson via email at Grants(AT)SocialJusticeFund(DOT)org at your earliest convenience.