The Solidarity Fund for COVID-19 Organizing is providing emergency grants of up to $10,000 to grassroots community organizing groups. As of May 1, Bread & Roses has made $262,000 available in grants through the fund.
Priority will go to:
new or existing groups that are launching organizing campaigns around issues directly related to the COVID-19 crisis (these groups do not need to have 501(c)3 status or a fiscal sponsor)
established grassroots community organizing groups that need funding to be able to keep organizing, need resources to organize virtually, and/or need to replace lost revenue due to the COVID-19 crisis (these groups must have 501(c)3 status or a fiscal sponsor).
For all groups applying to the Solidarity Fund for COVID-19 Organizing, their strategy for change should rely on community organizing, and the work they are doing must be directly related to or impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a grant from the Solidarity Fund for COVID-19 Organizing, groups need to:
Be located in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Camden counties
Be designated as a 501(c)3 organization by the IRS, have a fiscal sponsor that is designated as a 501(c)3 organization, OR be an association or group whose work meets the definition of charitable purposes as defined by the IRS. See question below that starts “Our group formed in the last few months…” for definitions.
Be using community organizing to create sustainable social change
What can the grant money be used for?
For new or existing groups launching organizing campaigns related to COVID-19, examples of activities may include:
training community members to respond to the crisis, including digital literacy skills
providing political education to members of your community
emergency outreach and education (webinars, social media campaigns, storytelling projects)
organizing for safe workplaces
organizing to demand that institutions like jails, prisons, and detention centers keep people safe and healthy
organizing for paid sick leave
organizing for wage increases and hazard pay for people providing essential services
organizing to address the digital divide
organizing for specific legislative action
For established grassroots community organizing groups that need funding to be able to keep organizing and need resources to build their capacity to organize virtually and/or need to replace lost revenue due to the COVID-19 crisis, examples of activities or needs may include:
creating or upgrading digital infrastructure
emergency funds to maintain organizational operations due to revenue loss
creating sick leave funds and establishing improved sick leave policies for staff
preserving medical coverage for staff and covering medical expenses
resource mobilizing, mutual aid projects, emergency income assistance, and eviction prevention
community-centered healing projects
What is the grant amount?
Groups can request up to $10,000.
Can we apply for multiple grants from this fund?
At this time, each group may receive only one grant from this fund.
Our group has not received a grant from Bread & Roses before. Are we eligible to apply?
Yes! However, please be sure to review the characteristics of a Bread & Roses grantee and the types of community organizing we fund to see if your group is the right fit for a grant from Bread & Roses.
Our group formed in the last few months in order to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Are we eligible to apply?
Yes! We are able to make a limited number of grants to groups that are not 501(c)3s and are not fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3. You must certify in that application that your group is an unincorporated association operating for charitable purposes.
An “unincorporated association” is defined as a group of people who act together as an organization and for a common purpose.
In defining charitable purpose, the IRS includes promoting social welfare, defending human and civil rights, and eliminating prejudice and discrimination, among other activities.
What is the deadline to apply?
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All applications received by 9 a.m. on Monday each week with be reviewed that week.
Who makes decisions about the grants?
Applications will be reviewed by a community review panel.
When will we hear back after submitting an application?
Applicants will be notified of the decision within two weeks of applying.
Where is the money for this fund coming from?
We are currently raising money from individual donors and institutional funders. Anyone may make a gift to support this fund.
To learn more, click here.