Economic Justice Giving Project

People across the US (and the world) declare, “We are the 99%!” and progressive people with wealth search for strategies to stand with the 99%, while conservative candidates accuse their opponents of “class warfare.” The bad news is that the wealth gap between the rich and poor, and between people of color and in white people, is growing faster than it has in generations, but the good news is that Americans are talking about class more than we have in decades. This Giving Project (a cross-class community, like all Giving Projects) will dive into that dialogue and fund grassroots organizations that are addressing economic injustice and getting results.

Commitment: March 10 – October 3

For more information or to get involved, sign up here.

Economic Justice Giving Project 2012 Schedule

Sat. March 10 - Session #1: Introduction (10am-5pm)

• Get to know one another
• Establish commitments, expectations, and goals
• Set foundation for further trainings

Sat. March 24 (10am-5pm) and Sun. March 25(10am-2pm) - Session #2: Race and Class Analysis Workshop

• Build shared analysis of race and class
• Learn about racism and classism in context of economic justice
• Begin to work build a cross-class, multi-racial progressive philanthropic community

Wed. April 11 - Session #3: Panel (6pm-9pm)

• Hear from SJF grantees about their organizing, the movement for economic justice, and the challenges they face in getting funding
• Open to the public

Wed. May 2 - Session #4: Grantmaking Training (6pm-9pm)

• Learn about social justice philanthropy and the SJF grantmaking process
• Decide on additional grantmaking criteria

Wed. May 30 - Session #5: Fundraising Training (6pm-9pm)

• Learn the nuts and bolts of grassroots fundraising
• Practice with the group
• Set personal fundraising goals and accountability structures

** Participants begin fundraising

Fri. June 8 – Grant Applications Due

** Participants begin reading and screening applications

Sat. August 4 - Session #6: Screening (10am-5pm)

• Decide which applicants receive site visits

**Site visits as scheduled (participants commit to at least one)

Sat. September 15 - Session #7: Final Decisions (10am-5pm)

• Review site visit reports
• Decide which applicants receive grants                                         

Wed. September 19 - Session #8: Celebration & Evaluation (6pm-9pm)

• Celebrate our success!
• Evaluate the process and brainstorm how to improve the model