Organizations selected receive $7,500 one-year grants awarded for general support or project-specific needs. This is the best entry point for general operating funds for new or emerging groups. In 2004 Social Justice Fund NW awarded $202,500 in Basic Grants.
A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) is a national organization created by black trade unionists that works to extend democracy to traditionally disenfranchised communities, to strengthen political alliances to promote democratic social change, and to create social and economic programs that improve the lives of all Americans. The APRI Seattle Chapter is an all-volunteer organization requesting funds to support a “Get out the Vote” (GOTV) project that includes voter registration, voter education, and voter participation. The project will partner with churches, as well as with the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) and the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA).
The Arab American Community Coalition (AACC) formed within hours after Sept. 11th to address hate crimes and backlash against Arab Americans in the Puget Sound area. The AACC seeks to: educate the public about Arab and Arab American cultures, and particularly about hate crimes and attacks on civil liberties that Arab Americans have faced since Sept. 11th; to provide an avenue for Arab American communities to educate and advocate for themselves; and to build partnerships with other organizations and institutions on civil rights issues. The AACC requests a Basic Grant to provide general operating support.
The Safety Center is a grassroots community-based organization whose mission is to prevent violence against women through community organizing and education; to provide safe and culturally relevant services for women, youth and children; and to create housing resources for families who face domestic and sexual violence, and who are victims of human trafficking in Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The Safety Center is requesting general operating funds to support ongoing community organizing work on issues like immigrant rights and equal access to services for victims of violence.
The Bitterroot Human Rights Alliance (BHRA) works to celebrate diversity; to counter bigotry, hSocial Justice Fund NWed and intolerance; and to advance human rights in the Bitterroot Valley . Formed in 1994 in response to the arrival of organized white supremacists in Montana , BHRA’s work gained a new focus with the formation of the radical rightwing militia movement in 1995, and was instrumental in rallying the community against this often violent threat to the community. Most recently BHRA fought an initiative by the religious right designed to undermine the teaching of evolution in order to advance a theocratic religious and political agenda through the Darby School Board. Social Justice Fund NW provided a Rapid Response Grant to support that fight. BHRA requests a Basic Grant to provide general operating support.
Based on the Crow Reservation, the Center Pole Foundation’s mission is to preserve and raise awareness of traditional Crow Indian ways, to promote equal opportunity and a just society for Native people by providing access to information and resources, and to conduct community projects essential to an empowered future for Native youth and their communities. Founded in 1999, Center Pole’s successes range from an arts entrepreneurship program for Native youth to a straw bale home ownership project. Center Pole requests a Basic Grant to support Crows for Justice, a group that meets to share information and to organize on justice issues affecting Crow people, including racism in education, environmental issues, and economic injustice.
The mission of the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas (CD Forum) is to offer progressive programs that encourage thought and debate on the role of African-Americans in American Society. The group supports black artists and civic leaders that empower audiences to think critically about race, ethnicity, and belonging. The CD Forum’s 5th Anniversary Season aims to broaden understanding of American culture in general and African-American culture in particular. Adhering to their motto, “Come as you are. Leave different,” the group will present 8-10 multi-disciplinary programs that embrace art and scholarship as vehicles through which we come to make sense of and accept diversity in our lives. CD Forum received a cultural grant from Social Justice Fund NW in 2000, and they currently seek general operational support.
The Chinook Tribe-Chinook Nation is dedicated to restoring sovereignty and rebuilding a thriving Chinook community. Since 1950, this organization has been working to support the dedicated and spirited Tribal Council that governs the Chinook Tribe. This Tribal Council is responsible for community development and outreach efforts; some of their efforts include food bank distributions for both the Indian and non-Indian community, intertribal relations, and economic planning with local governments and business. This group seeks general operating support to increase the number of these programs available to the Chinook people.
Formed in 1999, Communities Against Rape and Abuse (CARA) seeks to increase community action and awareness regarding issues of rape, abuse, sexual and domestic violence and oppression. Targeting both the social and political roots of sexual violence, CARA’s various programs, including The Black People’s project, The Disability Pride Project, The Young People’s Liberation Project and The Safety Project all work towards mobilizing and organizing people. CARA seeks financial support for in order to further develop their fundraising, strategic planning and leadership development processes.
FWAC formed in 2002 to uphold and promote the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers, to provide Filipino workers with the tools to empower themselves and to develop leadership to address social and economic justice issues. They are applying for funds to conduct community education, organizing and capacity building focusing on issues like deportation/immigrant rights, resisting US-led wars against people of color, and globalization.
The mission of the Human Dignity Coalition is to work in Central Oregon to protect human rights, to honor diversity, and to achieve social justice for all. In 2004, the Human Dignity Coalition plans to continue educating against discrimination and prejudice, support their Women’s Resource Center , celebrate their third annual “Family” Pride Celebration that sponsors the Soromundi Lesbian Choir of Eugene, and host bi-annual Dignity Award to honor individuals and businesses in the community who promote tolerance. The group seeks general operational support; the Coalition received an Social Justice Fund NW general grant in 2000 and technical assistance grants in both 2001 and 2003.
Idaho Community Action Network (ICAN) works to create a shared vision that empowers low-income Idahoans and mobilizes diverse membership to action. ICAN’s mission is to build unity among those facing poverty, racism, and injustice and to take on the fight for food security, health care access, and immigrant justice. ICAN seeks general support to advance immigrant justice campaigns and building a sustainable immigrant rights movement in Idaho . Their priorities are consolidating the growing immigrant base, developing emerging leaders, connecting immigrant injustice to racial underpinnings, expanding the regional alliance, and formalizing organizing campaigns. ICAN received a Rapid Response grant from Social Justice Fund NW in summer of 2003.
This Poulsbo, Washington-based network of 10 local organizations and 4 affiliates organizes and educates the Kitsap County community to monitor and confront hate groups and promote diversity and civil and human rights. They are currently involved in a campaign to counter the organizing efforts of the National Front, a neo-Nazi organization.
La Radio Montanesa reaches out to the Spanish-speaking communities of Wyoming through bilingual radio programming designed to heighten awareness of cultural diversity, connect people to educational and economic development opportunities, and increase the participation and influence of people of color in government and democratic process in Wyoming . They are applying for project funding for their Electoral Project.
Montana People’s Action sponsors Indian People’s Action (IPA). IPA works for fair and equitable treatment for Montana ’s urban Indian population. In response to drastic budget cuts affecting programs for low-income people, IPA is working to build a ground breaking alliance between urban Indians, tribes, and low-income whites in Montana . IPA seeks to build a bridge of understanding between these diverse and often divided groups in the fight for economic justice for all.
NALI is an organization of Native Americans based in the Southern Oregon city of Medford that is working to create leaders and role models within the Native American population of the area in order to address the historical trauma and current day injustices facing Native peoples. NALI is seeking support for continued publication Redbird’s Journal and for electoral outreach to the local Native American community.
Northwest LELO works to promote workers rights for low income workers and people of color. By using community organization, popular political education, and international networking to develop leadership, Northwest LELO hopes to further their 32-year old mission of promoting and developing a stronger community for low wage workers. Currently Northwest LELO seeks a Three Year Capacity Building Grant in order to develop a project to better organize their members and raise awareness in how to develop low wage earnings into family wage union jobs.
People’s Institute Northwest is a multi-racial, people of color led organization seeking general support of their work of engaging all communities in the struggle to create an anti-racist society with equal opportunity for everyone. People’s Institute Northwest engages in coalition building and community organizing, and provides workshops and technical assistance aimed at addressing the multiple problems associated with racial injustice among individuals and at the institutional level.
ROP is a statewide network of 45 rural groups in Oregon who are working together to uphold the values of inclusive, participatory democracy. Started in 1992 in response to the anti-gay statewide Oregon ballot measure 9 and the growing influence of anti-democratic forces in Oregon , ROP’s primary mission is to work with rural leaders of “human dignity” groups to network them and increase their capacity to serve as “a vibrant source for a just democracy.”
SYPP is a youth-led social change organization that empowers youth to be involved in the issues and decisions that affect their lives. SYPP members, all under the age of 19, are involved in a wide variety of projects including: the Young Men’s Conference, Queer Youth Rights, Young Women’s Conference, Youth Undoing Institutional Racism, African Youth United, Youth Exploring Arts Through Hip-Hop, and Artists Undoing Racism in America . SYPP seeks a Three-Year Capacity-Building Grant to: 1) develop a strategic plan, 2) increase fundraising capacity, 3) create an evaluation tool for successes, and 4) develop a Community Advisory Board.
This group works with North American Aboriginal Peoples in the Pacific Northwest to use cultural reclamation as a means of addressing the legacy of past ethnic cleansing oppression and government and church abuse including physical and sexual abuse experienced in boarding and residential school systems. They seek to empower and expand their grassroots base, conduct educational forums, field trips, community “talking circles,” and training to build the organization and its network of partners.
The Network educates and mobilizes its membership to eliminate the root causes of poverty. The Network is seeking support for their effort to conduct an intensive voter education, registration and mobilization drive among low-income people in South King County , and for support of similar campaigns led by Network board members in each of their home communities ( Yakima , Spokane , Port Townsend and Vancouver).
The Interfaith Alliance is a statewide organization made up of progressive clergy and people of faith who have united to challenge those who distort and manipulate religion to advance extreme political agendas. They promote the positive role of religion as a healing and constructive force in public life through such programs as One Nation, Many Faiths: Vote 2004; Faith and Sexuality: The Role of Religion in Heterosexism; Finding Common Ground/Undoing Oppression; and Interfaith Youth Action.
Thin Air Community Radio is a non-commercial low power radio station founded in 1989 to serve the people of Spokane . Thin Air Community Radio airs progressive perspectives reflecting values of peace; and social, cultural and environmental justice; human rights; democracy; multiculturalism; freedom of expression; and social change on important local, national, and global issues. They are seeking support for outreach to minority communities and organizations, and organizational development efforts.
Voz Hispana Causa Chavista was founded in 1997 with the support of PCUN, Oregon ’s farmworkers’ union, to promote recognition and respect for the achievements and values of Cesar Chavez and other Hispanic heroes, and motivates Hispanic participation in the decisions that affect the community. Voz Hispana is seeking funds to support continuing organizing of Cesar Chavez Day in the public schools (a celebration initiated through their organizing) and their Latino Voter Organizing and Civic Participation Project.
The Warm Springs Community Action Team is a Native American organization based on the Warm Springs reservation in Central Oregon , a community with a more than 50% poverty rate. The WSCAT is seeking support of a project to execute a comprehensive Commercial Code on the reservation that would protect residents from predatory lenders, and open the way for local economic development.
The Wind River Alliance is cross-cultural, community-based group working on the Wind River Indian Reservation to empower and educate a community that has traditionally had little voice in decisions affecting their natural resources. Their primary goal is to restore justice and health to the community by promoting a healthy Wind River watershed. They work toward this goal through community organizing, leadership development, documentation of elders’ perspectives, citizen-involvement training, community projects and public education on the reservation and surrounding communities.
WOCA is the only organization of its kind in Idaho . They work to develop a firm institutional foundation for social change activism by and for women of color in Idaho . WOCA is achieving this goal by identifying, networking, and training women of color, with a particular focus on dealing with internalized racist, sexists and class oppression as obstacles to attaining power. WOCA also produces a quarterly newsletter and an annual conference.