The Advancing Advocacy and Justice with Communities of Color funding opportunity aims to build power in the advocacy ecosystem with organizations led by or centered on people of color, and that are most critical and closest to the communities for whom health is furthest from reach. It will support both long-term movement-building and the ability of advocacy groups to act when high-leverage opportunities to influence more equitable policy solutions and civic reforms arise. The Foundation hopes to shift and elevate power and further strengthen a nimble, adaptive, diverse and durable advocacy ecosystem.

This funding opportunity will support:

• A continuum of advocacy efforts focusing on health equity for Arab/Middle Eastern, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Indigenous/Native American, multiracial communities and groups that engage in intersectional work with communities of color (e.g. focusing on Indigenous women, Black LGBTQ+, immigrants and refugees);

• Long-term movement-building strategies that make decision-makers accountable to communities and strengthen their power to influence policy;

• Efforts for racial and economic justice, which will ultimately support health equity for people of color across the state.

Proposed work should include each of the following features:

• Foundation alignment: Proposed advocacy aligns with and advances the Foundation’s cornerstones in service to our mission. While this funding opportunity is not constrained to specific issue areas, alignment for this funding is deeply tied to the Foundation’s commitment to health equity. 

• Advocacy focus: Proposed activities should focus on advocacy related to: Public policy at the local, state and/or federal level, including advocating for policy changes, protecting existing policies, improving or supporting equitable implementation of existing policies, and/or building political will.

• Community engagement: Proposed advocacy reflects the health priorities of community members and shows authentic and deep engagement with the community. Aligned organizations are working with the community, not just for the community.

• Impact: Proposed advocacy efforts should describe how the work will bring health in reach for communities of color who live on low incomes.

• Approach: Proposed advocacy should focus on building towards long-term movement(s) that advance health equity and racial justice, not simply securing single policy victories.

Applications submitted in advance of deadlines (Feb. 15, June 15 and Oct. 15) are not reviewed until the deadline has passed.