SVP Connecticut's $25,000 Race Equity Fund Grant Application Is Now Available

[Michael Van Leesten]

Social Venture Partners Connecticut Accepting Applications for Race Equity Grant Fund

 

Social Venture Partners Connecticut (SVP-CT), a statewide network of individuals advancing equitable solutions for closing Connecticut’s opportunity gap, is currently accepting grant applications for a new philanthropic fund.   SVP-CT will provide grants of $25,000 each in unrestricted, general operating support grassroots, community-based, people of color-led organizations addressing systemic causes of racial inequity in Bridgeport and New Haven, Connecticut.   This fund is structured as a participatory grantmaking model, which means that grants will be evaluated by a Fund Committee composed of community members and leaders from Bridgeport and New Haven. The number of grants will be determined by the Fund Committee based on the applications received and availability of funds. To date, SVP-CT has raised $200,000 from its network of volunteer Partners to seed the Race Equity Fund. To apply organizations must:   Be led (e.g., Executive Director, CEO) by a person of color Be actively engaged in work that addresses systemic and/or root causes of racially inequitable outcomes affecting underserved people of color Have a budget of $1,500,000 or less Serve populations in Bridgeport and/or New Haven Eligible organizations are encouraged to apply online by 5:00 PM on January 15, 2021. Funds will be distributed by mid-February 2021. Questions? Contact Michael Van Leesten, [e-mail]. About the SVP Connecticut Race Equity Fund The Race Equity Fund is part of Social Venture Partners Connecticut's Race Equity Initiative, a response to the existing racial disparities in both opportunities and outcomes in Connecticut. Closing the opportunity gap requires an explicit focus on systemic change to eliminate racial inequities. The Initiative’s other elements include a pilot program to support nonprofit leaders of color, SVP-CT Partner education regarding systemic inequities and racism in Connecticut, and advocacy on state-wide issues in racial equity.