Racial Justice Fund Frequently Asked Questions
My organization is not a 501(c)(3). Can I still apply to the Charitable Foundation for funding?
Do you fund start-ups, grassroots or emergent organizations?
What are the expectations about grant reports?
If we apply for a Racial Justice Fund grant and are declined, are we eligible to apply next year?
The Community Design Team has identified three priority areas for this initial round of funding: solidarity economy, mutual aid, and grassroots organizing. How do you define these?
Solidarity Economy and Land Justice: We fund projects that promote collective ownership and governance whether through land, labor, housing, or cultural resources. This includes efforts like removing land from speculative markets and placing it into land trusts for permanently affordable housing, worker cooperatives and community-owned enterprises such as co-op kitchens, or neighborhood-owned grocery stores that build food sovereignty. This focuses on initiatives for most impacted communities to govern shared resources.
Mutual Aid: Mutual aid, as we define it, is neighbors and organizations working together to meet immediate needs while also challenging the systems that cause harm. This could include direct cash or material assistance where recipients determine how to use it, resource hubs, and community care networks.
Grassroots Organizing and Infrastructure: Groups organizing and building power for themselves outside of traditional policy and advocacy arenas. This could include things like issue-based mobilization, multilingual communications, and movement infrastructure. For example, grassroots organizing and infrastructure that support the growth of mutual aid efforts and growing the NH solidarity economy.
What are some additional values shaping the vision and funding priorities of the Racial Justice Fund?
We know the Racial Justice Fund vision and funding priorities of solidarity economy, mutual aid, and grassroots organizing can look different across communities. That’s why our definitions are rooted in lived experience and shaped through a collaborative design process. Below are four essential elements that reflect how we understand and practice collective liberation and solidarity economy through the Racial Justice Fund.
For Us, By Us: Communities most impacted by racial injustice (“most impacted communities”) are supported in exercising agency and self-determination to design and lead the solutions that affect their lives.
Solidarity, Not Charity: Solutions are rooted in mutual support, shared risk, and standing alongside most impacted communities rather than relying on traditional, top-down service models. We believe in doing with communities, not for them.
Building Community Power: There is a clear goal and active commitment to structural change: shifting who owns land, who builds wealth, and who makes the decisions that shape daily life. Power is moved to most impacted communities. Grassroots organizations led by most impacted communities are resourced to grow their influence and deepen their impact to make structural change.
Collective Approaches and Shared Benefit: There is a commitment to transforming who governs and benefits from land, capital, and infrastructure. Collective models led by most impacted communities replace systems where land, labor, and wealth have been extracted for the benefit of a few.
If I have a current Community Grant, donor-advised fund award, other grant program, special Foundation initiative etc. from the Foundation, am I eligible to apply?
Yes.
My organization is not a 501(c)(3). Can I still apply to the Charitable Foundation for funding?
Non-tax-exempt organizations can only apply through a fiscal sponsor which is a 501(c)(3) and which signs a fiscal sponsorship agreement as part of the application process (an agreement template is included in the application). Organizations applying via a fiscal sponsor may only apply for project grants. We do not fund 501(c)(4) projects or entities.
If an applicant is applying with a fiscal sponsor, do we use the fiscal sponsor’s financial information and list of board members?
The application will require both the applying organization and fiscal sponsor to provide financial information and names of members of their boards of directors.
If my organization serves as a fiscal sponsor for an applicant, are we eligible to submit a separate application for our own efforts?
Yes. Applicants using a fiscal sponsor must create their own organizational profile to apply. Please reach out to ews@aups.serfuqrfx.pbz if you have any questions.
Do you fund start-ups, grassroots or emergent organizations?
Yes. New organizations without 501(c)(3) tax status must apply through a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3).
What if my organization is headquartered outside of New Hampshire, or we are headquartered inside New Hampshire but also work in other states?
Organizations that are headquartered outside of New Hampshire but provide services in New Hampshire or based in New Hampshire and offer programs and services to neighboring states are welcome to apply if the majority of their services demonstrably serve New Hampshire communities.
What is meant by “unrestricted grant?” Are there limits on how my organization can use an unrestricted grant if received?
Unrestricted grants (sometimes called “operating grants”) are not attached to any particular project, activity or line item in an organization’s budget. An organization receiving an unrestricted grant is free to use those funds as needed to further its overall mission. This may include salary, overhead expenses, program costs, equipment purchases or any other aspect of the organization’s annual budget.
What are the expectations about grant reports?
We do not require any formal written reports. For multi-year grants, we ask that grantees check in with us once a year in whatever way works best for them. This could be a phone or video call, an in-person conversation, an email update, participation in our grantee gathering, a short written reflection, or even a video or creative update. Our goal is to build community and learn together, not add extra administrative work.
If we apply for a Racial Justice Fund grant and are declined, are we eligible to apply next year?
Organizations that do not receive funding at this time would be considered for future grants if your work continues to be aligned with the priority areas of this program.
Does the Foundation fund advocacy? What about lobbying?
Yes. Systems-change work and advocacy activities such as lobbying can be important tools for community impact. Advocacy includes a wide range of activities from public education to messaging/communications, grassroots organizing, policy analysis, litigation and legislative lobbying. The Charitable Foundation, like all nonprofits, is permitted to support any or all these activities in appropriate circumstances and within relevant limits.
Can organizations apply jointly and collaborate?
Yes, we encourage collaboration. Organizations may submit joint applications for shared projects and goals, with requests of up to $100,000. One organization must apply as the lead on behalf of the collaborative project.