Social Justice Fund Northwest Programs
Giving Projects
Our members drive our grantmaking process through their participation in Giving Projects, which offer our constituents the opportunity to build community with other donor activists, deepen their analysis of social justice issues, and increase their capacity as fundraisers and grantmakers. Our unique Giving Project model allows SJF to be responsive to community needs and keeps us accountable to the grassroots. We are creating a new, more engaged culture of social justice philanthropists dedicated to long-term, progressive social change.
Through this model, 20-25 participants take part in a 6 month process during which they participate in a series of monthly meetings designed to increase their capacity as donor activists. Donor activists are supporters who not only contribute money to support a cause, but organize their community to do the same, thereby significantly increasing the impact of their initial contribution. Participants lead fundraising efforts to support each project and ultimately decide which organizations to fund with the money they have raised. There is strength in numbers, and this process enables SJF to harness that power to support progressive values.
Current projects include:
- Next Generation Giving Project
- Environmental Justice Giving Project
- LGBTQ Giving Project
- Civic Action Giving Project
- Montana Giving Project
- Criminal Justice Giving Project
- Social Justice Giving Project based in Portland
- Economic Justice Giving Project
- Immigration Reform Giving Project
Each of these efforts provide local communities with the capacity to move significant money to support work that is most critical, relevant and timely for local groups most affected by injustice.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
The Giving Project model has proven to be phenomenally successful. With 14 projects completed in the last 3 years, we have successfully developed more than 200 donor organizers, raised over $1,000,000 and provided 80 grants to organizations focused on base building in marginalized communities throughout the Northwest.
Impact
Our funding has helped our grantees win important victories across the region. These include:
- Defending marriage equality in Washington State
- Mobilizing people of color and LGBTQ communities to fight discrimination in rural Oregon Empowering citizens to raise their voice in support of environmental sustainability in Wyoming
- Organizing Native communities to address social, economic and racial justice issues in Montana
- Cultivating leadership among social justice activists and advocates in Idaho