Emerging Justice Fund Grant

Overview

NOTE:

• There will be three rounds of funding in 2026, with decisions made in April, July, and October.
• The deadline for the first round of funding is February 9.
  • Applications submitted after February 9 will not be considered in the first round and will move to the second round (May) of funding.

Social Justice Fund NW

Social Justice Fund NW is a foundation working at the frontlines of social change. We leverage the resources of our members to foster significant, long-term social justice solutions throughout  Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

Emerging Justice Fund

The Emerging Justice Fund (EJF) will direct unrestricted funds to resource grassroots organizing for communities targeted by Federal, State, and Local policies. This grant will fund organizations that meet SJF’s community organizing framework and prioritize communities underrepresented in traditional grantmaking.

Focus

Organizing around urgent and emerging needs in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and/or Wyoming.

Funding

1-year grant of $10,000.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.

• Eligible organizations must meet the following criteria:
  • Organizations that work within SJF’s community-organizing framework
  • Nonprofit organizations, tribal agencies, or groups sponsored by a nonprofit organization or tribal agency
  • This grant can fund:
    • Organizations with 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 status as determined by the IRS
    • American Indian/Native American/First Nation Tribal Government or Agency
    • Organizations that are fiscally sponsored by 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 organizations or tribal governments
    • Organizations that carry out their work in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming
• The majority of SJF’s grants are for general operating support, which provide grantees with the greatest degree of flexibility and self-determination.
  

Preferences

• Organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (51% or more leadership)
• Organizations conducting most of their work with reservation communities, and/or in rural or small towns (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau)
• Organizations with annual budgets $500,000 USD or less

Ineligibility

• We generally do not fund the following:
  • Individuals, endowment funds or capital campaigns.
  • General operating requests from organizations that primarily provide direct services to individuals and families.
    • Direct service organizations can apply for project-specific funds for projects that fit our definition of community organizing.
  • Publications, reports, workshops, classes, conferences, media events, arts, theater productions, research, or litigation efforts unless they are part of an ongoing community organizing effort.
  • Environmental work unless it is aimed at achieving social justice goals (i.e. environmental justice).
    • For example, SJF generally does not fund recycling or resource conservation projects, but we do fund community organizing projects addressing environmental threats that disproportionately harm communities of color or low-income communities.
  • Projects sponsored by a government agency.
    • For example, SJF would not fund a project led by a public school district, but we might fund a project led by communities of color that partners with public schools to address the opportunity gap for students of color.
    • The project must be community driven and led by those most directly affected by the problem.