The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is now accepting applications for the Racial Equity and Social Justice Grant, which aims to advance equity, foster lasting change, and support the leadership of those most directly impacted by injustice.
Donor Name: Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
State: Massachusetts
County: Franklin County (MA), Hampden County (MA), Hampshire County (MA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/14/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is seeking applications for the Racial Equity and Social Justice Grant to advance equity, foster lasting change, and support the leadership of those most impacted by injustice.
This funding opportunity is part of a broader mission to invest in both innovative solutions and ongoing initiatives that make a meaningful difference. In addition to financial support, the program aims to facilitate dialogue, promote deep listening, and encourage collaboration with partners to more effectively address systemic inequities across Western Massachusetts.
Grant Categories
The foundation welcomes applications from organizations at various stages, whether learning, emerging or established—that demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, community leadership, and sustainable power-building.
Learning Grants
- Learning Grants are designed for organizations that are early in their exploration of system change and power-building. These funds support organizational learning, leadership development, and capacity-building efforts tied to racial equity work. These grants are not intended to support internal organizational DEI.
- Funding also covers participation in no more than two required grantee learning sessions in collaboration with CFWM, which offer opportunities to build relationships, skills, and shared strategy among grantees. After one year, Learning Grant recipients may be eligible to apply for the Emerging Grant track.
Funding Information
Up to $15,000 (12-month grant period).
Criteria
- Organizations may have limited or no prior experience in systems change or power-building work
- Demonstrated interest and commitment to building internal capacity around racial equity
- A desire to engage in collective learning and contribute to future coalition-based power-building efforts through the Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative (RESJI).
Emerging Grants
Emerging Grants support organizations that have already begun systems change or power-building work and are ready to grow that work. These grants are intended to help deepen strategies, expand reach, and support ongoing advocacy rooted in racial and economic justice. These grants are not intended to support internal organizational DEI.
Emerging grantees are required to participate in no more than two required grantee learning sessions in collaboration with CFWM and engage with peers through RESJI convenings to support shared strategy and coordinated action.
Funding Information
Up to $30,000 (12-month grant period).
Criteria
- Organization has been actively engaged in systems change or power-building work for at least 1–3 years.
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing this long-term work
- Active participation in a coalition or network
- A desire to engage in collective learning and contribute to future coalition-based power-building efforts through the Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative (RESJI).
Th foundation is seeking proposals for projects that endeavor to build long-term community power. This includes but is not limited to:
- Grassroots organizing
- Leadership development for directly impacted individuals
- Policy and systems advocacy within the allowable scope for nonprofits
- Civic engagement and base-building
- Coalition-building and community-led initiatives
All funded work must be:
- Rooted in Hampden, Hampshire, and/or Franklin County
- Led by or meaningfully guided by communities most impacted by racial, economic, or social inequality.
- Grounded in racial justice and committed to systemic change
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Organizations Should Have:
- An IRS designated 501(c)(3) status or an existing fiscal sponsorship.
- An operating budget less than $5 million. Organizations with operating budgets larger than $5 million are not eligible. There is a strong preference for organizations with an operating budget of less than $1 million.
Funding cannot support:
- Endowments or capital campaigns
- Sectarian or religious organizations unless as a fiscal sponsor for a broad community benefit
- Institutions of higher education—including for scholarships
- Academic research
- K-12 schools—public, private, or charter schools
- Organizations whose mission is to support municipalities/government agencies such as friends of libraries or school districts
For more information, visit Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.
