OVERVIEW: The Social Justice Fund Northwest supports grassroots organizing for social justice in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.
IP TAKE: The Social Justice Fund Northwest is a great source of monetary and strategic support for grassroots organizations operating in the Northwest. Volunteer members of the organization research, fundraise, plan and administer grants to organizations in different areas of focus related to social justice each year. While the fund is approachable and transparent, grantseekers may have to wait for a grant cycle that addresses their specific area of engagement. To get an idea of what the fund supports, see its past grantees page and sign up for updates about new opportunities at the bottom of the homepage. Reach out at any time via email or phone with questions and ideas.
PROFILE: The Social Justice Fund NW (SJFNW) was established in 1978 in Seattle. Until 2005, it was called A Territory Resource. This member-funded organization pursues a mission to support “the creation of a just society through grantmaking, fundraising and member involvement.” SJFNW works in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming to “provide essential resources” to grassroots movements for “progressive, systemic social change” and names specific areas of interest to guide its giving each year. Recent grants have focused on causes including but not limited to Indigenous-led organizing, rural organizing, queer justice, migration and displacement and tenant organizing.
Grants for Civic Engagement, Democracy, Racial Justice, Indigenous Rights, Housing, Immigrants, Environment and Education
SJFNW’s grantmaking supports an array of progressive causes in the Northwest, but it names specific areas of focus for each annual grantmaking cycle. In recent years it has named between one and six areas of interest per cycle. Giving is also organized by grant type, some of which are offered each year, and others which are offered irregularly.
- Giving Project Grants are funded and structured by “cohort[s] of 15-25 volunteers who have committed to building community together, learning about social justice, and working together to fund strategic, inspiring, and under-resourced community organizing.” These grants are typically awarded in the amount of $30,000 for one or two years and provide general operating support to grassroots groups “working on struggles for justice, equity, and liberation.” Areas of focus, guidelines and due dates vary from year to year. Current application information is available at the funding opportunities page.
- One past cycle focused on Indigenous-led organizing. Grantees included Hipeexnu kii U Nuun Wisiix, Return of the Boise Valley People, Western Native Voice and the Central Montana Human Trafficking & MMIP Task Force.
- A cycle that focused on queer justice made grants to Missoula’s Empower MT, Tacoma’s Lavender Rights Project and Queer the Land of Seattle.
- Another past theme concerned the rights of displaced tenants. Grant recipients included the Duwamish Valley Affordable Housing Coalition, Seattle’s Interim Community Development Association and the Abundance of Hope Center, which supports homeless and at risk youth in Seattle.
- Rapid Response Grants are intended to support the immediate needs of grassroots organizations as they face unanticipated situations and opportunities. Grants are typically awarded in the amount of $3,000. Grants are awarded monthly until funds are depleted. Organizations that need rapid response funding should email the fund at grants@socialjusticefund.org for additional information.
- Seed Grants support “new and emerging groups” that may not yet meet the eligibility requirements for SJFNW’s other grantmaking programs. These grants are awarded monthly in the amount of $5,000 until the fund is depleted. To apply, email the foundation at grants@socialjusticefund.org for additional information.
- The fund also offers event sponsorships for events to grass roots organizations operating in its designated giving area. Submit sponsorship requests here.
Important Grant Details:
SJFNW’s grants range from $5,100 to about $1 million, but the vast majority of its grants stays below $500,000.
- This funder’s giving is geared toward grassroots and community organizing for social justice issues.
- Giving is limited to organizations located in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.
- The fund names specific areas of focus for each grantmaking cycle. These are usually chosen by the fund’s members, who participate in research, fundraising and grantmaking processes.
- For information about eligibility, application guidelines and due dates, see the fund’s how to apply and current opportunities pages.
- In addition to funding, most grantees receive strategic support from the SJFNW.
- For information about past giving, see the past grantees page.
Reach out with questions about grant opportunities via email at grants@socialjusticefund.org. For general inquiries, contact the foundation at info@socialjusticefund.org or by telephone at (206) 624-4081.
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