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Applications for this grant closed on October 26, 2023. We will keep this page up for reference.

SJF is pleased to announce the 2023 Community Wealth Building Grant! This grant cycle will fund organizing that aims to address economic injustice, build power to transform unjust systems, and overcome barriers to wealth for individuals, families, and communities.

The Community Wealth Building Grant is open to community-based projects based in Seattle (or conduct the majority of their work in/with Seattle communities). This grant cycle is a Generational Wealth Initiative project, a collaboration between the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and Social Justice Fund NW. Please read the following information carefully before beginning your application.

Key details:

Grant awards: One-time grants of $50,000
Eligibility: Organizations/collectives based in Seattle (or that conduct the majority of their work in/with Seattle communities) that work within SJF’s community organizing framework and one or more of the six Community Wealth Building strategies (see “What we will fund” section below)
- Priority given to organizations with:
  - Black, Indigenous, and people of color led organizations (51% or more)
  - Organizations with operating budgets under $500,000
  - Applications that include one or more of the following Community Wealth Building strategy focuses:
    - Broad-based Worker Ownership
    - Community Controlled Capital
    - Community Ownership of Real Estate
    - Equitable Small Business Ecosystems
Application open: Monday, September 18, 2023
Application deadline: Thursday, October 26, 2023 by 11:59PM PT
Informational webinars:
- Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 12-1:30PM PT: click here to register
- Thursday, October 12, 2023, 5:30-7PM PT: click here to register
Application portal
Questions? Click here to email the SJF team at your earliest convenience. As capacity and resources allow, application draft reviews and language access support will be available.

What we will fund

These one-year grants of $50,000 will fund organizing that aims to address economic injustice, build power to transform unjust systems, and overcome barriers to wealth for individuals, families, and communities. This grant cycle will support community organizing efforts that test, implement, explore, and/or seek to learn about one or more of the Community Wealth Building Strategies.. Please click here to read the expanded definitions of the Community Wealth Building Strategies as well as examples of organizing work that would qualify for this grant.

Community Wealth Building Strategies (* indicates priority strategies)

1. Broad-based Worker Ownership*
2. Community Controlled Capital*
3. Community Ownership of Real Estate*
4. Progressive Procurement
5. Equitable Small Business Ecosystems*
6. Wealth Retention and Asset Building Programs

The intent of the Community Wealth Building Grant is to develop and support projects and programs that:

Support individuals, families, and/or communities gain the knowledge to overcome barriers to building wealth
Present a learning and support structure for participants that can help build power and set the groundwork for transforming unjust systems
Promote wealth building education and empowerment through innovative learning structures that aim to address economic and racial inequities, providing a greater public good
Provide meaningful resources for individuals, families, or communities to directly practice the strategies and/or use the skills they are learning through the program
Address economic injustices through culturally relevant structures that will lead to both immediate gains and long-term impact

Eligibility

Eligible organizations must meet the following criteria:

Projects that test, implement, explore, and/or seek to learn about one or more of the six Community Wealth Building strategies
Organizations/collectives that work within SJF’s community organizing framework
Organizations/collectives that clearly outline how they incorporate Community Wealth Building strategies into their active work
Organizations/collectives that conduct their work in Seattle (or conduct the majority of their work in/with Seattle communities)
Nonprofit organizations, tribal agencies, or groups sponsored by a nonprofit organization or tribal agency
- This grant can fund:
  - Organizations with 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 status as determined by the IRS
  - Federally recognized American Indian tribal government or agency
  - Organizations that are fiscally sponsored by 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 organizations or by federally recognized tribal governments

Priority

We will prioritize organizations in both the prescreening and final decisions process that:

Have leadership (at least 51%) from Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities, and/or
Have an operating budget under $500,000
Have one or more of the following Community Wealth Building strategy focuses:
- Broad-based Worker Ownership
- Community Controlled Capital
- Community Ownership of Real Estate
- Equitable Small Business Ecosystem

Grantmaking timeline

Application open: Monday, September 18, 2023
Applications deadline: Thursday, October 26, 2023 by 11:59PM PT
Prescreening completed: Early November 2023
Grantee decisions finalized: Early December 2023
Grants disbursed (anticipated): January 2024

How to apply

Navigate to our Grants Portal – Foundant
Click “Create new account” or log in if you already have an account
If you need to create an account, you’ll be prompted to enter information necessary to establish a new account
You’ll then be prompted to create a password and verify your email. After doing so, your account will be active
Once you are logged in, the link to the application portal will deliver you to the application page
Click the blue “Apply” button on the 2023 Community Wealth Building Grant application; this will bring you to the application form
Begin working on the application; save to return to the form later, submit only when you are finished

If extra support is needed, please review this help video.

Questions?

If you’re not sure whether your organization’s work qualifies, or have any questions about this grant, please contact Lady Anderson via email at Grants(AT)SocialJusticeFund(DOT)org at your earliest convenience.