Reroot Network

Racial Equity


Funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, YWCA Southern Arizona is working in partnership with Pima County Justice Services, as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge’s Racial Equity Cohort, on several initiatives aimed at reducing racial and ethnic disparities in our criminal legal system. We are proud to be one of four organizations partnering with one of four cities or counties throughout the US, joining other cohort members in New Orleans, Chicago and Philadelphia.

Racial Justice Mini Grants

About this Grant

The YWCA Racial Justice Mini Grants have been established to support grass roots organizations advancing racial equity and racial justice in Pima County. This grant opportunity seeks to support efforts to transform systems that support racist norms and that produce outcomes that oppress and undermine the success of BIPOC communities. Applications will be accepted beginning July 17 through September 1, 2023.

For questions and support completing your application, please connect with Victor Bowleg at vbowleg@ywcatucson.org or 520-447-8943

UPDATE: DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 1ST
Purpose of the Grant

To address systemic racism and develop additional racial equity strategies in Pima County.


Grant Award Amounts

$5,000 (Five Thousand dollars) & $10,000 (Ten Thousand dollars). It should be noted that this is a single award and not a source of ongoing funding.


Requirements

YWCA Racial Justice Mini Grants are open to organizations and individuals that are closely linked to the population that they serve and seek to empower. Organizations may be either a 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization. Submission of a project narrative, budget overview, work samples (e.g., images and/or videos) are required.


Grant Process

Applicants will be reviewed by the Racial Justice Mini Grants Committee. The Committee consists of a planning and selection team of community members.

Important Dates

July 17, 2023 - Application opens

September 1, 2023 - Application closes

Week of September 11 - Notification of grant award decision

September 25, 2023 - W-9 Tax form and documents due

October 2023 - Grant award disbursed

November 2023 - Project check in



Spanish Information Packet English Information Packet

YWCA is leading the following initiatives as part of partnership with Pima County Justice Services and the MacArthur Foundation:


  • Community Listening Sessions - building relationships with grassroots groups and organizations led by system-impacted individuals, hearing from a wide range of voices about what the needs of our community are and what changes might get us closer to meeting them, and providing a framework for advocacy toward these changes. YWCA recognizes that over the past two years, extreme political polarization, a global pandemic, and the national Movement for Black Lives have brought greater attention and intention to local conversations around inequity. We will be drawing from our own past work in this space, as well as the resources and approaches developed by YWCA at a national level, and the grassroots work already being done regionally, to continue being a leader in our community and inviting everyone to the table for a series of community listening sessions.


  • Fostering Innovation and Collaboration through Microgrants - We will be providing resources to directly-impacted communities and collaborators working to address inequities firsthand, through a series of microgrants up to $10,000 to support partners doing this work. More information coming soon.


  •  Proactively Engaging Youth - YWCA’s own Pima County Teen Court is working to develop a community-centered process for examining the school-to-prison pipeline. YWCA will engage and hire teens who have experienced and completed the Teen Court program as facilitators for youth currently in the program, creating opportunities for mentorship and guidance.New paragraph
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