Racial Equity Grants – Jun 4

Posted by NewSchools Venture Fund on May 4, 2021

NewSchools Venture Fund Accepting Applications for Racial Equity Grants

The events of the past year, including the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on communities of color, have called on all funders to be more cognizant of their own biases and work to be a different kind of funder.

The NewSchools Venture Fund believes that the freedom to thrive is every person’s fundamental right, and that access to a great education, regardless of race or ethnicity, is essential to that freedom. To that end, NewSchools is opening its first Racial Equity funding opportunity and will provide $1.5 million in “dream capital” to innovators of color with bold ideas to advance racial equity in education.

The urgency to innovate is greater than ever. Students and families are navigating the impacts of COVID-19 and a broader racial reckoning in our society. Schools, community-based organizations, and trusted leaders are working hard to meet student needs. And there are brilliant solutions borne from the lived experiences of people of color.

Instead of a traditional grantmaking approach that centers funders, their strategies, and their selection criteria, the decision-makers for this funding opportunity will be parents, students, and education innovators of color. Given the prevalence of anti-Black racism in society, and its impact on outcomes for Black students, the organizations plans to allocate at least 50 percent of the Racial Equity fund to Black leaders. Grantees will receive funding as well as management assistance, such as access to experts and a community of practice, to support the development of your idea.

To be eligible for this funding opportunity, applicants should identify as a person of color; have an idea focused on advancing racial equity in pre-K-12 education that does not fall into one of NewSchools’ existing investment areas (Innovative Schools, Learning Solutions and Diverse Leaders); and lead an organization that is in the early stage of development. The organization encourages prospective applicants to reach out to discuss their eligibility.

Applications will be accepted through June 4 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

For more information and a link to the application form, see the NewSchools Venture Fund website.

Deadline: June 4, 2021