Fund for a Just Society
Guidelines
Grants are made to non-Unitarian Universalist groups in the U.S. and Canada that meet all 3 of the following criteria:
*Systemic change organizing:
Funding Priorities
Priority is given to active, specific campaigns to create change in the economic, social, and political structures that affect their lives. We expect the organization’s infrastructure, including leadership, membership and systems of accountability to be developed by the time of the application. We welcome projects that are less likely to receive conventional funding because of the innovative or challenging nature of the work or the economic and social status of the constituency. Please be concrete; spell out your plans. Don’t say you will “empower people,” tell us what actions you will take to create systematic change. See Sample Grants.
Restrictions
We do not fund social services, educational programs, or advocacy projects. We do not make grants for training to individuals. Grants are not given for re-granting, equipment, capital campaigns, politically partisan efforts, educational institutions, medical or scientific research, or cultural programs. Grants are not made to individuals. We consider funding films, publications, or curricula only if they are an integral part of a strategy of collective action for social change.
Grant Size & Type of Funding
The maximum grant is $15,000. Most grants are between $6,000 and $8,000. Challenge or matching grants are a possibility. Grants are given for one year. Second-year funding is possible after submitting a new proposal and a final (or interim) report. Third-year funding for the same project is unusual. We are not sustaining funders. See the complete application process.
How To Apply
To submit a proposal, please complete the Questions for Narrative found on this page. For additional information, refer to the Application Process, Materials to be Included, and application forms.
Questions for Narrative
Use the following questions for part C of Materials to Be Included. Type the question number and question before each response. Use at least 12 pt. type and 1” margins on one side only of white 8.5” x 11” paper. Pages must be numbered.
In eight pages or less, answer the following questions:
Grants are made to non-Unitarian Universalist groups in the U.S. and Canada that meet all 3 of the following criteria:
- uses community organizing to bring about systemic change* leading to a more just society; and
- mobilizes those who have been disenfranchised and excluded from resources, power and the right to self-determination; and
- has an active focused campaign to create systemic change.
*Systemic change organizing:
- Aims at root causes, not symptoms.
- Builds collective responses, not individual solutions, to problems.
- Changes attitudes, behaviour, laws, policies, and institutions the better to reflect values of inclusion, fairness, and diversity.
- Insists on accountability and responsiveness in such institutions as government, large corporations, and universities.
- Expands democracy by involving those closest to social problems in determining their solution.
- Charity: Donate to a food pantry to provide supplemental food for lower-income working families.
- Change: Raise the minimum wage so people can afford to purchase the food they need.
- Charity: Send money to a shelter for homeless families.
- Change: Send money to a housing coalition working for affordable housing.
- Charity: Fund a scholarship for one high school student to attend college.
- Change: Fund a student association organizing to ensure that higher education is affordable for everyone.
- Charity: Give to a telethon for services for people with disabilities.
- Change: Give to a group of disabled people and their allies pushing for their elected officials to make public buildings accessible.
Funding Priorities
Priority is given to active, specific campaigns to create change in the economic, social, and political structures that affect their lives. We expect the organization’s infrastructure, including leadership, membership and systems of accountability to be developed by the time of the application. We welcome projects that are less likely to receive conventional funding because of the innovative or challenging nature of the work or the economic and social status of the constituency. Please be concrete; spell out your plans. Don’t say you will “empower people,” tell us what actions you will take to create systematic change. See Sample Grants.
Restrictions
We do not fund social services, educational programs, or advocacy projects. We do not make grants for training to individuals. Grants are not given for re-granting, equipment, capital campaigns, politically partisan efforts, educational institutions, medical or scientific research, or cultural programs. Grants are not made to individuals. We consider funding films, publications, or curricula only if they are an integral part of a strategy of collective action for social change.
Grant Size & Type of Funding
The maximum grant is $15,000. Most grants are between $6,000 and $8,000. Challenge or matching grants are a possibility. Grants are given for one year. Second-year funding is possible after submitting a new proposal and a final (or interim) report. Third-year funding for the same project is unusual. We are not sustaining funders. See the complete application process.
How To Apply
To submit a proposal, please complete the Questions for Narrative found on this page. For additional information, refer to the Application Process, Materials to be Included, and application forms.
Questions for Narrative
Use the following questions for part C of Materials to Be Included. Type the question number and question before each response. Use at least 12 pt. type and 1” margins on one side only of white 8.5” x 11” paper. Pages must be numbered.
In eight pages or less, answer the following questions:
- Please give a fifty word summary of the project.
- Describe your group and its recent history.
- Describe more fully the project for which you are applying. Describe the issue(s) your organization addresses through this project, and what specific actions you are taking to address the issues. Outline the project’s goals,activities and timelines.
- Describe how your organization operates and how decisions are made. Who is in your decision-making group? Who is accountable and how?
- Who will carry out the project’s plan, and what are their relevant skills and experiences?
- Who do you define as your community? How do you reach them?
- Describe the ways your Board and staff are representative of the communities and issues you are working with.
- List the individuals, committees or organizations that have contributed significantly to this project through money, time or other forms of support. Please list funding sources and dollar amounts for your organization for the last two years.
- Describe your specific evaluation plan. How will you know you have succeeded? What outcomes are you working to create? What measures will you use? See sample evaluation plan.
- Please describe your organization’s or group’s social change philosophy.
- How will your project help to bring about systemic change on the issue you are addressing?