Racial Equity Seed Grants

These grants provide programming support up to $10,000 for Black-led, Black-serving organizations that are advancing youth leadership, development training and opportunities, and community-based intergenerational collaborations and programming within the racial justice space. Funds may be used to support programming activities. Grantees will be required to participate in Foundation-sponsored learning sessions with other Racial Equity Seed grantees. New and emerging programs will be considered. Funds are not intended for general operating support.

Programming CategorieS:

Youth-Led Social Change

Programming, activities, and training that seek to build confidence, knowledge, skills, and collective leadership of young people, ages 25 and under, while addressing the root causes of injustice and inequity in their lives and communities. Programs should incorporate some of the following characteristics:

  • Respect youth voice and culture

  • Promotes collective leadership development

  • Fosters understanding and analysis of community and society

  • Encourages collective agency and strategic action

  • Values youth-adult partnerships

Intergenerational Spaces

Programming, activities, and training that seek to provide opportunities for youth, adults, and seniors to engage with and learn from one another. Programming should serve to empower and engage individuals in dialogue and creative solutions to address the root causes of injustice and inequity in their lives and communities.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Black-Led, Black-Serving Organizations and Groups

  • Have a current 501(c)3 or a fiscal sponsor with this documentation

  • Organizations/Groups must be located in Allegheny County and their work must primarily benefit its residents

  • The project must address social justice issues impacting Black residents in Allegheny County

  • Youth-led Social Change projects must target Black youth ages 25 and under

  • Intergenerational Projects must engage youth, adults, and seniors

Priority will be given to organizations/groups

  • That have not been awarded POISE Community Grant Funding during the application year

  • With budgets of $600,000 or less

  • With a plan for how they want to grow their work over the next year

  • With projects that promote community and organizational collaboration

Racial Equity Seed Grants will not fund

  • General operating requests or start-up costs

  • Projects sponsored by a government agency or school

  • Individuals, endowment funds or capital campaigns

Timeline

The Racial Equity Seed grants are not open to offer support at the current time

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS AND TEMPLATES

For specific questions, contact grants@poisefdn.org