Deadline: 31-Dec-2026
The Borealis Philanthropy Just Futures Initiative Grant Program provides flexible funding to support grassroots organizations, emerging groups, and coalitions working on community safety, democracy protection, civil rights, and alternatives to criminalization. The initiative invests in community-led solutions that reduce reliance on state violence, protect human rights, and strengthen belonging in communities most affected by criminalization.
The program offers 12-month general operating grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, with strategic collaborative grants of up to $200,000 available for organizations developing broader community safety and justice efforts.
Overview of the Just Futures Initiative Grant Program
The Just Futures Initiative is a funding opportunity created by Borealis Philanthropy to support organizations building safer communities through approaches that do not rely on punishment, policing, or incarceration.
The initiative is part of Borealis Philanthropy’s Community Safety and Justice pillar and builds on long-term investments in:
- Community safety strategies
- Decarceration efforts
- Protest defense
- Civil and human rights protection
- Community-based alternatives to punishment
- Democratic participation
The program recognizes that communities most affected by harm are often best positioned to create effective solutions.
Purpose of the Just Futures Initiative
The main purpose of the initiative is to provide resources to organizations developing community-rooted approaches to safety and justice.
The program aims to support efforts that:
- Build safety without state violence
- Reduce criminalization and harmful systems
- Protect civil and human rights
- Defend democratic participation
- Strengthen community accountability
- Support belonging and collective power
The initiative focuses on organizations working directly with communities affected by criminalization, policing, incarceration, detention, surveillance, and state violence.
Why This Grant Program Matters
Communities across the United States are facing increasing challenges related to:
- Expansion of criminalization
- Restrictions on protest and civic participation
- Threats to civil rights
- Increased political and social instability
- Barriers to community-led safety solutions
The Just Futures Initiative responds to these challenges by providing flexible funding that allows organizations to strengthen their operations, respond quickly to threats, and develop long-term strategies.
The program supports organizations creating:
- Community-defined safety models
- Protest defense systems
- Rapid response networks
- Democracy protection initiatives
- Local organizing strategies
Grant Amount and Funding Details
The Just Futures Initiative provides 12-month general operating grants.
Funding details include:
- Standard grant size: $50,000 to $100,000
- Strategic collaborative grants: Up to $200,000
- Most expected awards: $50,000 to $75,000
- Grant duration: 12 months
Organizations may use general operating funds to support their ongoing work, organizational capacity, and community-based strategies.
Grant Budget Guidelines
Applicants should consider the size of their organization when requesting funding.
As a general guideline:
- Grant requests should not exceed 30% of the organization’s total committed annual budget.
Exceptions may be considered when there is a strong justification related to:
- Collaborative strategies
- Rapid response efforts
- Ecosystem-level coordination
- Large-scale community safety initiatives
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The grant program is open to grassroots organizations, emerging formations, and coalitions that meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligible applicants must be:
- U.S.-based organizations, or
- Organizations based in U.S. territories
Applicants must be one of the following:
- A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- A fiscally sponsored project
Organizations should generally have:
- An annual operating budget under $2 million
- A budget based on the most recently completed fiscal year or projected 2026 budget
Eligible Organizations and Movements
The initiative prioritizes organizations that are:
- Grassroots-led
- Community-accountable
- Rooted in directly impacted communities
- Focused on reducing criminalization
- Working toward non-carceral safety solutions
Eligible groups may include organizations focused on:
- Community safety
- Anti-criminalization work
- Protest defense
- Democracy protection
- Community accountability
- Civil rights
- Human rights
- Alternatives to incarceration and punishment
Priority Areas and Communities
Priority consideration will be given to organizations that are:
- Led by communities most impacted by criminalization
- Located in underfunded regions
- Based in Southern communities
- Working in rural areas
- Operating in high-threat environments
The initiative places emphasis on organizations with strong connections to communities experiencing the greatest barriers to safety and justice.
Applicant Requirements
Applicants should demonstrate:
Experience in Community Safety and Justice Work
Organizations should show experience in areas such as:
- Community safety strategies
- Anti-criminalization campaigns
- Protest defense
- Democracy protection
- Community accountability
- Non-carceral safety approaches
Community Organizing and Mobilization Strategy
Applicants must provide a clear strategy showing how they:
- Engage directly impacted communities
- Build community power
- Support collective action
- Develop solutions based on community needs
Accountability to Affected Communities
Organizations should demonstrate that their work is guided by the experiences and leadership of people most affected by criminalization and state violence.
How to Apply for the Just Futures Initiative Grant
Organizations interested in applying should prepare materials that clearly explain their mission, community impact, and funding needs.
Step 1: Review Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should confirm that they:
- Meet nonprofit or fiscal sponsorship requirements
- Are based in the United States or a U.S. territory
- Have an eligible operating budget
- Work directly on community safety and justice issues
Step 2: Prepare an Organizational Overview
Applicants should describe:
- Their mission and activities
- Communities they serve
- Current programs and strategies
- Experience in community-led safety work
Step 3: Explain the Funding Need
Organizations should explain:
- Why flexible operating support is needed
- How funding will strengthen their work
- How resources will support community safety and justice goals
Step 4: Describe Community Impact
Applicants should highlight:
- Community partnerships
- Organizing strategies
- Leadership of directly impacted communities
- Expected outcomes from the grant support
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying
Requesting Funding Without Explaining Community Impact
Applicants should clearly connect their work to the communities most affected by criminalization and state violence.
Focusing Only on Programs Instead of Organizational Strength
The grant supports general operations, so applicants should explain how funding strengthens their overall capacity.
Not Demonstrating Community Accountability
Organizations should show how impacted communities influence decision-making and strategy.
Submitting Unrealistic Budget Requests
Applicants should ensure funding requests are reasonable compared with their annual operating budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Borealis Philanthropy Just Futures Initiative?
The Just Futures Initiative is a grant program that supports grassroots organizations and coalitions working on community safety, justice, civil rights, democracy protection, and alternatives to criminalization.
How much funding can organizations receive?
Standard grants range from $50,000 to $100,000. Strategic collaborative grants may provide up to $200,000 with strong justification.
How long are the grants?
The grants provide 12 months of general operating support.
Who can apply for the grant?
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based or U.S.-territory-based 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored projects with annual operating budgets generally under $2 million.
What types of organizations receive priority consideration?
Priority is given to grassroots organizations, community-led groups, organizations in underfunded Southern and rural areas, and groups led by communities most affected by criminalization.
What types of activities does the grant support?
The program supports activities related to community safety, protest defense, democracy protection, civil rights, community accountability, and non-carceral safety strategies.
Can organizations use the funding for general operations?
Yes. The initiative provides general operating grants that allow organizations to strengthen their overall capacity and continue their community-based work.
Conclusion
The Borealis Philanthropy Just Futures Initiative provides flexible funding to organizations building community-led approaches to safety, justice, and democracy protection.
By supporting grassroots organizations and coalitions closest to the challenges of criminalization and state violence, the initiative helps strengthen community power, protect rights, and develop sustainable alternatives to traditional systems of punishment.
For more information, visit Borealis Philanthropy.
