Solidago Foundation
OVERVIEW: The Solidago Foundation focuses exclusively on grassroots organizing for democracy “in communities most impacted by systemic injustices.”
IP TAKE: Having recently revamped its grantmaking priorities to respond to “escalating assaults on our democratic system,” the Solidago Foundation centers its work on the “fundamental belief that when communities claim their collective power and work together, they can create lasting and truly transformative change.” This funder focuses on grassroots organizing, as well as funder collaboratives and networks that support movement organizing in marginalized communities. It often supports its grantees for several years.
Solidago does not accept unsolicted proposals, but collaborating with one of its grantees might help your organizatin get on this foundation’s radar.
PROFILE: Joseph Rosenmiller earned his wealth building a chain of radio stations. Throughout his life, he gave generously to “[c]auses he felt traditional philanthropies largely ignored.” In 1994, he sold his stake in the radio business and, with his son David, established the Solidago Foundation, which uses the Latin word for the goldenrod plant as its name. Solidago is based in North Hampton, Massachusetts.
The foundation’s original mission was to fund “innovative and effective grassroots organizing across the social, racial and environmental justice movements,” and it initially intended to distribute the entirety of its endowment by 2020. Prior to that date, however, the foundation decided to extend its grantmaking, as “the need for nimble progressive philanthropy is greater than ever.” It also narrowed its mission to support “the work of visionary organizers working to empower voters and create a more just and durable democracy.” Its current grantmaking supports “voter engagement, voting rights, voter protection, and democracy reform efforts in key states, along with select national organizations that support and amplify this grassroots work.” The foundation’s theory of change includes commitments to “people impacted by structural inequities” and bringing “people together, including across race and class.”
Grants for Civic Engagement, Democracy and Racial Justice
Solidago’s grantmaking is conducted “[i]n response to escalating assaults on our democratic system.” The foundation focuses on “grassroots organizing and movement building” and describes its giving as “progressive philanthropy.” While Solidago does not name thematic areas for its giving, it does articulate the beliefs that drive its work.
Solidago aims to work “in close partnership with groups that center people most directly impacted by structural inequities.”
Ideally, giving should take relationships and strategy into account and provide support that is “nimble and responsive.”
Solidago is open to and willing to support new, innovative and untried approaches and interventions.
The foundation maintains a strong commitment to supporting collaboration and helping “connect individual organizing efforts to existing and nascent movements and movement infrastructure.”
Solidago indicates that is funding prioritizes “key states” but does not name these states. Tax filings indicate that a significant portion of grantmaking goes to organizations in Arizona, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina.
One grantee, Blueprint North Carolina, describes itself as “a progressive ecosystem of nearly 60 formal partner organizations and an expanding web of network allies committed to building independent power for an anti-racist, inclusive democracy.” Another grantee, Rural Arizona Engagement, works “to educate, advocate and coordinate in rural communities so they may gain access to civic education, engagement opportunities, and voter registration.” And in Oakland, California, the foundation has supported the Neighborhood Funders Group, a grantmaking collaborative that supports democracy and social change for marginalized communities.
Other grantees include the ProGeorgia State Table, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the Center for Popular Democracy.
Important Grant Details:
With just a few exceptions, grants range from $20,000 to $50,000.
Solidago names grassroots organizing for democracy as its main interest, and many of its grants support organizing and grantmaking collaboratives.
The foundation tends to give multi-year support to its grantees but does not indicate if its giving is project-based or for general operations.
Grantmaking appears to prioritize the states of Arizona, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina.
This funder does not accept unsolicited proposals.
General inquiries may be submitted to the foundation’s staff via its contact page or by telephone at (413) 587-0174.
PEOPLE:
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