Deadline: 31-Aug-20
The OKC Black Justice Fund seeks to advance racial equity and justice in Oklahoma City. It will provide financial support to African American-led organizations, along with others who can support the mission.
Reasons for establishing this fund was to create a more accessible funding stream for smaller groups or grassroots efforts that are making a change in their community, that may otherwise be ineligible for or unlikely to receive traditional grants.
Purpose
The fund, located at the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, will provide grants to organizations for the following purposes:
- Performing research, data analysis, and reporting to determine the current state of human rights and racial equity in Oklahoma City and identify recommendations for improvement. Additional funding, outside of the Black Justice Fund, may be available for proposals in this area.
- Advancing economic and leadership development, civic engagement, and advocacy efforts in Northeast Oklahoma City and other historically under-resourced communities.
- Supporting community-led partnerships between law enforcement and the Black community.
- Implementing community-led policing reforms in areas including, but not limited to, diversity in recruiting and hiring practices, de-escalation, and racial sensitivity training, and citizen engagement and oversight.
Funding Information
- Total Funding Raised is up to $290,676.44
Eligibility Criteria
- Any organizations or groups that are working to advance racial equity and justice in Oklahoma City may apply for a grant.
- Organizations do not need to be a 501(c)(3) to be eligible for funding, and there are no limitations on the size or type of the organization.
Evaluation Criteria
Grants will be evaluated by committee members based on five criteria:
- Potential for impact on advancing racial justice
- Connection to the Black Community, which includes considerations such as the composition of leadership and staff and the organization’s experience working within the community they are aiming to serve
- Strategy for focusing on under-resourced communities in Oklahoma City, with consideration of the team/organization’s existing role within those communities
- Alignment to the stated goal of the Fund and at least one of the four outlined purposes
- Presence of a clear and actionable plan for using requested funds
For more information, visit https://blackjusticefund.org/#aboutthefund