Bread & Roses Community Fund, in partnership with the City of Philadelphia Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity is launching the Neighborhood Equitable Recovery Fund to support community-based nonprofit organizations that work in areas of Philadelphia that have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Groups that are experiencing financial hardship; are at risk of closing; or have substantially reduced services due to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to apply.
Grants of $15,000 will be made to community-based nonprofit organizations that represent communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic around issues including, but not limited to: health education, food distribution, family support, and community organizing to address barriers to support. Priority will be given to organizations where community members are in positions of leadership, where their lived experience is honored, where their knowledge influences the work and where they meaningfully participate in program design and implementation.
Organizations may use funds to support payroll, rent, mortgage payments, utilities, or other operating expenses; and to provide and organize mutual aid projects for their members. The program is a community-driven grantmaking process in which residents from the target zip codes are a central part of:
evaluating applicants,
determining funding priorities,
and making funding decisions.
The community-driven grantmaking process advances equity by returning control to the community so that people affected by the issues work toward their own solutions. Community-based organizations that are experiencing financial hardship, are at risk of closing, or have reduced services due to the pandemic are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility To be eligible for the Neighborhood Equitable Recovery Fund, community-based organizations must:
be physically located and providing services in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
have annual operating expenses less than $3 million dollars
have current 501(c)(3) IRS status or a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) IRS status and be in good standing with the IRS
be providing services in at least one of the following 15 zip codes with poverty rates greater than or equal to the city average of 25 percent: 19104, 19120, 19121, 19122, 19124, 19131, 19132, 19133, 19134, 19139, 19140, 19141, 19142, 19143, and 19144
have been operating on March 1, 2019, and continuously through March 1, 2020
demonstrate that all funds from this grant will be spent for the benefit of low-income Philadelphia residents with income levels at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines ($53,000 annually for a household of 4)
be able to document and report on use of grant funds
demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion with respect to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical and cognitive ability, immigration status, and religion, among participants, board members, leadership team, and staff
have decision-makers (board members, leadership team, staff) that reflect the communities being served by the organization
The program is not first-come, first-served; applications will be awarded based on eligibility and alignment with program priorities. Where and How to Apply Eligible organizations can apply through an online application portal, beginning on Thursday, May 6. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, June 7 at 11:59 p.m. EST. There will be a virtual information session on Thursday, May 20, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Please register to receive the login information.