The Social Justice Partners Los Angeles Systems Change Fellowship bolsters the growth and impact of initiatives tackling the root causes of Los Angeles’ most pressing social problems.
Donor Name: Social Justice Partners Los Angeles
State: California
County: Los Angeles County (CA)
Type of Grant: Fellowship
Deadline: 05/27/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
The Systems Change Fellowship supports LA-based nonprofit initiatives led by those with lived experience of the systemic issues they’re tackling.
The program focuses on peer-learning and relationship-building, connecting as a part of the interwoven landscape of social justice in Los Angeles. The cohort members tackle a wide range of interconnected systemic issues through policy advocacy, narrative and culture shift, and building power.
Over nine months, the cohort model supports nonprofit leaders with lived experience as they hone their systems change strategy, explore liberatory team culture practices, amplify messaging, and expand their relationships and resources. SJPLA has found that supporting these foundational elements accelerates an organization’s ability to create systemic community impact.
Each cohort member is offered:
- A $10,000 unrestricted grant, plus more raised through the SJPLA network.
- Pro-bono coaching, and peer support.
- SJPLA’s signature Fast Pitch training with a professionally filmed pitch video and a platform at our annual Fast Pitch event.
- Expanded network of supporters, including funders, donors, and nonprofit leaders.
- Increased exposure through SJPLA’s network, including the annual Fast Pitch Event attracting hundreds of attendees.
- Being an important part of the SJPLA community after their program ends. They continue to be a touchstone and support for alumni from years past.
Eligibility Criteria
The below criteria must be met to be eligible for the Systems Change Fellowship:
- Nonprofit Organization
- Applicants must have a designation from the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization, or proof of fiscal sponsorship.
- Early Stage Endeavors
- The organization or initiative must be in the early stages of growth and development but must have some proof of concept. Larger, established organizations may apply to the program only if their participation in the Systems Change Fellowship would focus on a new, systems-change initiative being developed or implemented by their organization.
- Organization Size, Years in Operation
- There are no restrictions on size of organizational budget, staffing, or years in operation.
- Location
- They have a strong preference for LA-based organizations. If you’re part They have a strong preference for LA-based organizations. If you’re part of a national organization or are headquartered elsewhere, you are still invited to apply.
- Systems Change Focus
- The initiative must have a systems change focus, rather than a direct service focus. Direct services often provide much-needed individual-level support, such as temporary or permanent housing, mentoring, training, or food banks. For the focus of this fellowship, they seek leaders of systems change initiatives that address the root causes of injustice in order to permanently improve the lives of the people most impacted by the issue, in turn benefitting all. As distinct from direct service work, systems change initiatives recognize the problem’s complex history and seek to transform the system often by policy change, community organizing, and campaigns to shift how they think about the issue.
- Organization Representative
- The individual participating in the Systems Change Fellowship on behalf of their organization must hold the title of Executive Director, initiative Program Director, or equivalent position with significant organization-wide decision-making responsibility and should have at least six months of tenure with the organization. Participants should work or live in LA County in order to utilize the coaching resources available
- Lived experience
- The individual participating in the Systems Change Fellowship should have direct, lived experience of the issue their initiative is tackling. As the Systems Change Fellowship is not issue specific, they look to applicants to define and tell their relationship to the system they seek to transform. For example, they define “direct, lived experience of homelessness” as someone who has been unhoused, unsheltered, or who may have experienced a lack of stable, safe, and adequate housing.
For more information, visit SJPLA.
