Action for Racial Equity Grants

In support of nonprofits and others in our community who commit to anti-racism work, this grant program is designed to help organizations take next steps in the journey to becoming more equitable in practice, policy, leadership, and impact. 

This grant program is one small concrete action. There are many different actions the Foundation will consider as we work to build a race equity strategy; however, we felt it was important to start with this action now. Our hope is that it empowers work to happen in our community and starts much-need critical conversations. 

These small grants are a starting point for dialogue, learning, collaborative action, and healing.

2020 Program Details:

• Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations, community organizers, houses of worship
• Amounts: Up to $2,000
• Scope: We will support the voices and work of black leaders. We will support nonprofits in their anti-racism learning and work. Examples include:
  • Community Education: Events, conversations, opportunities to engage in dialogue with the broader community
  • Internal Organizational Learning: Purchase of educational material for staff, board, volunteers; hiring of a consultant to engage in anti-racism work, professional development opportunities. *Any purchased materials or contracted services should be from Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)*
  • Advocacy and policy change initiatives
  • Compensation/honoraria: For volunteers or those who may provide critical services/guidance on equity

Application:

Send an email to grants@greaterworcester.org with the following information:

• Demonstrated evidence that you are committed to anti-racism work ( This could include a board endorsed statement, mission statement, plan, past work)
• Requested amount
• Submit a brief paragraph covering what you plan to do, who you will engage, how you plan to implement it, and how you will determine the impact

Deadline: 

TBD for 2022

Learning:

• No formal grant report is required. We will ask all grant partners to attend a debrief session.
• Our hope is that this will serve as a learning cohort. We will bring together grant partners as requested to learn, support and share information with

Decisions:

• Grant decisions will be determined once an application date has been announced
• Decisions will be made by staff and a small committee of community members

Questions? Please contact Lindiana Semidei, Program Associate, or Sarah Shugrue, Senior Program Officer.