Funds support BIPOC-led nonprofits serving communities most impacted by racial disparities.

APRIL 22, 2024 (Los Angeles, CA) — The Weingart Foundation, a private grantmaking foundation that partners with communities across Southern California to advance racial justice, awarded $3.9 million to 25 nonprofits that promote strong and healthy communities; advance civic, cultural, economic, and political power; and bolster equitable and just systems, particularly for communities most impacted by racial disparities. The Foundation employs a proactive approach to grantmaking thus developing new relationships with grassroots, community-based nonprofits. Two-thirds of grants awarded in this fund cycle were directed to first-time grantees, representing grassroots, BIPOC-led organizations with budgets under $1M.

“This round of funding reflects the Weingart Foundation’s commitment to investing in grassroots organizations and in supporting the ecosystems that allow them to thrive,” said Joanna S. Jackson, interim President and C.E.O. of the Weingart Foundation. “We’re proud that our continued proactive efforts to deepen partnerships with smaller equity focused organizations has allowed us to work with groups we may not have funded in the past. We look forward to building on these partnerships to advance justice.” The Weingart Foundation is committed to changing unjust systems and strengthening the power of historically marginalized communities. Sixty percent of the funds allocated in March support advocacy, research, and capacity-building to direct-service providing organizations that are also engaged in systems advocacy, typically as part of movement coalitions. Examples of nonprofit partners engaged in critical civic engagement efforts and cross-racial solidarity include Council of Mexican Federations in North America COFEM, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC), Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement, and the Arab American Civic Council. The latter three of these organizations serve populations that are largely underrepresented in terms of investments from philanthropy.

Investing in BIPOC-led organizations is also a priority for the Weingart Foundation. BIPOC-led organizations comprise 92% of the organizations awarded grants in March and are receiving 83% of the total funding.

In response to the increased number of Black migrants in need of support, the Weingart Foundation invested in organizations with the cultural competency to best serve this growing population. This includes the Tiyaa Foundation, African Communities Public Health Coalition, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, and United Women of the Horn. Further, the Weingart Foundation hopes to strengthen the immigrant justice ecosystem and increase the capacity of organizations and coalitions that address the critical and unique needs of Black migrants. This support is also in alignment with the Weingart Foundation’s commitment of combating anti-Black racism, a priority of its Black Justice and Healing initiatives.

“On behalf of the Weingart Foundation Board, we are proud to support these organizations that are steadfast in their commitment to advancing justice” said Monica Lozano, Board Chair of the Weingart Foundation. “We are consistently inspired by the work of our nonprofit partners and are honored to invest in their transformative work meeting the needs of communities most impacted by racial disparities.” For a full list of the Weingart Foundation’s March grants, please visit our website.

ABOUT THE WEINGART FOUNDATION

The Weingart Foundation is a private, nonprofit grantmaking foundation that partners with communities across Southern California to advance racial, social, and economic justice for all. Our vision is a dynamic and effective social change sector that is creating equitable systems and structures needed to achieve justice. Founded in 1951, the Foundation has to date granted over $1 billion to organizations, strengthening their efforts in human services, housing, health, education, and community power building. In addition, the Foundation builds networks and collaboratives with philanthropic, public sector, and community leaders to advance equity and justice together.