We are always looking for volunteers! Some of the great ways you can help us meet our mission include:
To sign up to get involved, contact us.
The best way to become active in Social Justice Fund NW is to join a committee. Some of these committees are only open to members, while others are open to anyone who wants to help. The members of some committees are selected by the Nominations Committee (to ensure diversity), while others are open to any volunteer. Learn more about committee time commitment here, or apply to join a committee here.
Like many non-profits Social Justice Fund NW has more projects than hands. We could use help from YOU to:
Social Justice Fund NW Member Gatherings are small, informal events where our members get together and learn about issues in progressive philanthropy and grassroots organizing in our region. These informational and networking evenings help us build our community. Participants are expected to fully observe guidelines of confidentiality and non-solicitation to create a safe and respectful learning environment.
Social Justice Fund NW House Parties are an opportunity for our members to introduce their friends to Social Justice Fund NW and encourage them to join our community of progressive funding activists.
Another great way to get involved is to join a team of Social Justice Fund NW members who are doing site visits--meetings with grassroots activists who are applying for grants. To join such a team, contact grants@socialjusticefund.org.
Social Justice Fund NW will hold elections in May to add people to various committees and to the Board of Directors. Please let us know if you'd like to volunteer. The Social Justice Fund NW Nominations Committee takes volunteer lists and selects a slate of candidates to ensure diversity within the committee composition. If you live outside the Seattle area, you can participate by conference call, e-mail and in person. All terms are for one year, except the members of the Board of Directors, who serve three-year terms. Learn more about the time commitment of joining a committee here.
Cultural Grants Committee. Recommends funding decisions for a single cycle of grant applications annually. Involves two meetings over a three-month period in the fall, reading proposals, and calling applicants. Lead staff: Grants and Program Director. (Time: approximately 30 hours over three months.) Apply now.
Basic Grants Committee. Recommends funding decisions for one-year grants of $10,000 in the summer. Meets twice between April and July, reads and reviews proposals, makes site visits to groups within the region, and makes recommendations to the Board. Lead Staff: Grants and Program Manager. (Time: 50-75 hours between April and July.) Apply now.
Three Year Grants Committee. Recommends funding for Three-Year Support and Three-Year Capacity Building grants in the winter/spring. Meets twice between January and April, reads and reviews proposals, makes site visits to groups, recommends funding to the Board, and makes mid-grant phone calls to current grantees. Lead staff: Grants and Program Director. (Time: 50-75 hours between January and April.) Apply now.
Nominations Committee. Researches and recruits candidates for a slate for the Board of Directors and for itself. Recommends slates to the Board and membership that ensure diverse representation and needed skills and talents for the governance of Social Justice Fund NW. Volunteer now; slate will determined by the Nominations Committee and the Board to ensure diverse representation. Lead Staff: Executive Director. (Time: Monthly meetings of 1-2 hours plus research, phoning and interviews.)
Board of Directors. Governs, sets policy and direction and assumes fiscal and grantmaking responsibility for the foundation. Hires and supervises the Executive Director. To serve, member must have served actively on an Social Justice Fund NW committee and/or demonstrated long term community organizing experience, financial expertise, and fundraising. All Board members are expected to assist in fundraising. Detailed job description available at the office. Volunteer for slate now: Nominations Committee prepares a slate for the membership to ensure that needed skills and talents are included and to ensure diverse representation. Lead Staff: Executive Director. (Time: Quarterly meetings on 3 days plus service on one Social Justice Fund NW standing committee; Executive Committee is selected from the Board and meets 5 additional times for 2 hours.)
Finance Committee. Oversees the investment policies and accounts of the Endowment, and recommends fiscal policy to the Board, working with the Board Treasurer (Committee Chair) and staff. All volunteers welcome. Lead Staff: Director of Finance and Operations. (Time: Meets twice annually for 1-2 hours.)
Fundraising. Plans, with staff, the outreach for the foundation including fundraising for the Endowment and General Fund of the foundation from a diverse group of donors; encouraging existing members to continue and increase their gifts when possible; planning and assisting with Social Justice Fund NW member events and encouraging volunteer participation. All volunteers welcome. Lead Staff: Manager of Individual Giving. (Time: One hour monthly meeting plus 2-3 hours monthly for donor visits, events, house meetings, etc.)
Marketing and Public Relations. Responsible for planning, with staff, the marketing strategy and materials to expand information in the region and nation about Social Justice Fund NW. Focused on visibility and outreach to diverse communities and enhancing the progressive movement through accurate and timely information utilizing all forms of media and publications. All volunteers welcome. Lead Staff: Executive Director. (Time: Quarterly meetings of 1-2 hours plus 2-3 hours monthly for specific project work.)
Personnel Committee. Reviews personnel policies and serves as ombudsmen for staff other than the Executive Director. Works with staff on internal issues as needed. All volunteers welcome. Lead Staff: Executive Director. (Time: Meets twice annually at most for 1-2 hour then as needed.)