SJF is pleased to announce the 2024 Base Building Grant, open to grassroots organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming.
Key Details:
SJF is pleased to announce the 2024 Base Building Grant, open to grassroots organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming. Please read the following information carefully before beginning your application.
Grant Awards Amount: $100,000 for 2 years ($50,000/yr)
Focus: Base Building as a community organizing tactic that grows the breadth and depth of people who share a vision for social justice, and who develop and execute the organizing strategies to make that vision a reality in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and/or Wyoming
Priority Consideration:
- Black, Indigenous, and people of color led organizations (51% or more)
- Organizations conducting most of their work with reservation communities and/or in rural/small towns (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau)
Application Open: Monday, August 5, 2024
Application Deadline: Thursday, September 12, 2024
Informational Webinars: August 13, 2024 @ 3-5pm click here to register
Questions? Email the SJF team at [email protected] at your earliest convenience.
What We Will Fund
Description
We understand Base Building as a community organizing tactic that grows the breadth and depth of people who share a vision for social justice, and who develop and execute the organizing strategies to make that vision a reality. With strong base-building organizations as part of our ecosystem, our movements have more leadership and more power to change policies, transform culture, and build new models and institutions – and to defend and maintain those victories over time.
Because there is no one definition of base-building, we interviewed community organizers across the region and country to determine the markers of good base-building strategies. We asked them to pinpoint what made base-building different from other community organizing, share examples of good base-building, and explore potential regional, cultural, and constituent differences we may encounter. Through this process, we determined the following parameters for the Fund 4 the Frontlines Base-building Grant.
We are looking for organizations that fit our community organizing framework AND their work can speak to each of the following points:
- Collective Power
- Working with a diverse membership to build collective power.
- Building a critical mass of collective power that can win changes in policy, culture, or institution-building, and defend those wins.
- Widening the Base
- Building authentic relationships with those in the base who are most affected by the issues the organization works on.
- Bringing new people into the base who are not already engaged in organizing work.
- Using varied methods of recruitment by uplifting differences through tailored communication and outreach.
- Engaging in face-to-face conversation and relationship building.
- Leadership Development
- Provide clear entry points for members to move to leadership positions.
- Clear and accessible programs for political education and meaningful engagement.
- Continual education and agitation.
- Strategy and Long-Term Planning
- Developing, using, and continually adapting a base-building plan which includes goals, timelines, infrastructure, leadership, opportunities for engagement, etc.
- Organizing strategies with clear goals.
- Structures that hold the leadership accountable to its base.
We will prioritize funding organizations with Black, Indigenous, and/or POC leadership, and/or who conduct most of their work in reservation communities, and/or rural, small town communities.
Due to applicant feedback and organizational capacity, this grant cycle will not include the site visit process. In the spirit of our organizational values coupled with our upcoming strategic plan, we will revisit our grant application processes, sharing new information when it becomes available.
Eligibility
Eligible organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Organizations that work within SJF’s community organizing framework
- 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
- American Indian Tribal Government or Agency
- Organizations that are fiscally sponsored by 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 organizations or tribal governments
- This grant can fund:
- Organizations that carry out their work in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming
Priority
- We will prioritize organizations in both the prescreening and final decision process that:
- Have leadership (at least 51%) from Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities, and/or
- Conduct most of their work/organizing in reservation communities, and/or rural, small town communities (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau)
Ineligibility
In an effort to continue to diversify who gets funding from Social Justice Fund NW, grant recipients who have received a $50,000+ grant in the last year OR received previous Basebuilding grants are ineligible to apply for the 2024 Base Building Grant Cycle. This includes, but is not limited to the recipients of the following SJF grant awards:
- 2020 Base Building recipients
- 2021 Base Building recipients
- 2022 Base Building recipients
- 2023 Community Wealth Building recipients
- Orgs that received large ($50,000+) DAFs from SJF in 2023 or 2024
How to Apply
- *Click here to begin your application in our Grants Portal.*
- You will arrive at the grant portal. Congrats!
- Click “logon/create account” in the top right corner to login if you already have an account or create a login if you do not have an account.
- If you need to create an account, you’ll be prompted to enter the information necessary to establish a new account.
- You’ll then be prompted to create a password and verify your email. After doing so, your account will be active.
- Once you are logged in, the link to the application portal will deliver you to the application page.
- Click the blue “Apply” button on the (2024 Fund for the Frontlines Base Building Grant) application; this will bring you to the application form.
- 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.
- We will accept alternative submissions in the form of a video or audio recording. Instructions for uploading a video or audio recording will be in the application.
Grantmaking Timeline
- Application Open: Aug 5, 2024
- Informational Webinar: Aug 13, 2024
- Application Deadline: Sep 12, 2024
- Prescreening Deadline: Sep 26, 2024
- Grant Award Announcements: November
Questions?
If you’re not sure whether your organization’s work qualifies or have any questions about this grant, please contact Muz Afzal at [email protected] as soon as possible.
*Click here to begin your application in our Grants Portal.*
Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
