National Grassroots Organizing Program

The guiding principle behind this program is the belief that people most affected by a problem are in the best position to determine the solutions. The Foundation will consider proposals from grassroots, base-building organizations that are working to help themselves and their communities create broad systems change through community organizing campaigns and movement-building efforts.

The Foundation prioritizes organizations that are led by and center the leadership and agency of Black communities, Indigenous communities, and communities of color that approach their work using anti-oppression values – consciously striving to dismantle systems of oppression and the legacies of white supremacy culture in this country while working toward a more just and equitable society.

The Foundation defines grassroots organizing as building people power to confront entrenched power. It involves collective action from the bottom up. It challenges the status quo, demands changes in policy and practice, educates communities about root causes of their problems, and advocates and agitates for systemic and just solutions. True progressive change occurs only when underlying, systemic forces are understood and addressed. The Foundation firmly believes that grassroots, constituent-led organizing is among the most effective means to create social change.

While the Foundation's broad goals are to further racial equity, social justice, and environmental justice, the Foundation's primary purpose is to support the grassroots organizing strategies and activities of grant partners, rather than any specific issues the organizations are addressing.

• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)