Organizations, artists, cultural practitioners, and social change leaders in Oakland now have an opportunity to secure long-term funding through the Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund 2026. The initiative is accepting applications for its fourth annual funding round, offering substantial financial support to collaborative partnerships working toward racial equity, social justice, and community transformation.

The program recognizes that meaningful social change happens when artists, culture bearers, organizers, and nonprofit organizations collaborate to address systemic issues affecting their communities. Rather than funding artistic work in isolation, the initiative encourages partnerships that combine creativity with civic engagement, policy advocacy, and community organizing.

Through this funding opportunity, selected collaborations will receive $100,000 annually for three consecutive years, creating a total funding package of $300,000 per collaboration. In addition, participating artists and cultural practitioners will receive annual living stipends and funding dedicated to documenting their work.

This initiative represents one of Oakland’s most significant investments in the intersection of arts, culture, and social justice.

About Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund

Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund is a collaborative funding initiative designed to strengthen partnerships between artists and organizations committed to creating a more equitable and inclusive Oakland.

The program is supported through a partnership involving:

• East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF)
• Akonadi Foundation
• City of Oakland Cultural Affairs Division

The initiative also receives major financial support from the Surdna Foundation’s Thriving Cultures Program.

Since its establishment in 2020, the Fund has invested in projects that use arts and culture as powerful tools to address systemic inequality, amplify marginalized voices, and inspire policy and community transformation.

The underlying philosophy of the Fund is that culture is not separate from civic life—it is an essential driver of social change.

Grant Value and Funding Benefits

Successful collaborations will receive an extensive package of financial support designed to sustain long-term impact.

The funding includes:

• $100,000 each year
• Funding period of three years
• Total grant value of $300,000 per selected collaboration
• $12,000 annual living stipend for participating artists and cultural practitioners
• $25,000 allocated specifically for documenting the collaboration
• Long-term support for community-centered cultural projects
• Resources to strengthen partnerships between artists and organizers
• Support for initiatives promoting racial justice and community belonging
• Increased visibility for funded collaborations
• Opportunity to influence civic systems, policies, and community narratives

The funding structure allows organizations to move beyond short-term projects and instead build sustainable collaborations capable of producing lasting community impact.

Purpose of the Fund

The Fund seeks projects that move beyond traditional artistic programming by combining creative expression with social justice work.

Applicants are encouraged to develop projects that:

• Challenge harmful racial narratives
• Promote racial equity
• Create inclusive civic participation
• Strengthen community leadership
• Build equitable partnerships
• Develop new community structures
• Encourage shared decision-making
• Inspire policy change
• Foster belonging among historically marginalized communities
• Create lasting systems of justice and inclusion

Rather than funding isolated events, the Fund prioritizes initiatives capable of producing meaningful structural and cultural transformation.

History and Previous Funding Rounds

Since launching in 2020, the Belonging in Oakland initiative has supported numerous innovative collaborations.

First Round (2020)

The inaugural funding round responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting artists who helped communities imagine a more equitable Oakland during a time of crisis.

Projects encouraged residents to rethink public life, civic participation, and social justice during unprecedented challenges.

Second Round (2021)

The second funding cycle expanded the program by supporting two-year collaborative projects focused on:

• Combating systemic racism
• Elevating marginalized voices
• Challenging structural inequities
• Promoting community-led change

Third Round (2023)

The most recent round funded collaborations that addressed critical community issues, including:

• Supporting immigrants who were formerly or currently incarcerated
• Advancing equitable development in Oakland Chinatown
• Strengthening Black cultural spaces throughout Oakland

These initiatives demonstrated how partnerships between artists and community organizations can reshape public dialogue while influencing policies affecting local communities.

Who Can Apply?

The Fund is specifically designed for collaborative partnerships.

Eligible lead applicants must be:

• Cultural organizations working with artists and cultural practitioners, or
• Social change organizations collaborating with artists and culture bearers.

The lead organization must satisfy all eligibility requirements established by the Fund.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following conditions.

Organizational Requirements

Lead applicants must:

• Hold IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status, or
• Hold IRS-recognized 501(c)(4) status, or
• Have an eligible 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor in good standing.

In addition, applicants should:

• Be based in Oakland
• Serve BIPOC communities
• Demonstrate experience in community engagement
• Show evidence of successful partnerships
• Have an operating budget of at least $500,000

What Types of Projects Are Encouraged?

The Fund welcomes innovative collaborations that:

• Address racial inequities
• Support community healing
• Build civic participation
• Promote social justice
• Develop new models of community leadership
• Shift harmful public narratives
• Increase equity through arts and culture
• Encourage collaboration across sectors
• Strengthen neighborhoods
• Expand opportunities for historically marginalized communities

Projects should demonstrate mutual benefit between artists and organizational partners while contributing toward a more just Oakland.

Application Process

The application process consists of two stages.

Step 1: Submit a Letter of Interest (LOI)

Eligible applicants must submit:

• Letter of Interest
• Organizational information
• Financial statements for the most recently completed fiscal year
• Work samples demonstrating policy change or community impact

Step 2: Invitation to Submit Full Proposal

After reviewing Letters of Interest, the Fund will invite up to 10 applicants to submit comprehensive proposals.

Only shortlisted organizations will advance to the second stage.

Application Timeline

Applicants should carefully observe the following important dates.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• Letter of Interest
• Organizational profile
• Financial records
• Recent fiscal information
• Policy change work samples
• Partnership information
• Supporting documentation requested by the Fund

Webinar for Prospective Applicants

To help applicants understand the funding opportunity, organizers will host an informational webinar.

The webinar will cover:

• Eligibility requirements
• Application process
• Required documents
• Selection criteria
• Frequently asked questions
• Tips for preparing a competitive application

Attendance is strongly encouraged for all prospective applicants.

To register for the Webinar on how to apply visit HERE

Why This Grant Matters

Many grant programs provide funding only for short-term activities. In contrast, Belonging in Oakland offers multi-year investment, enabling organizations and artists to build lasting partnerships.

The program recognizes that cultural practitioners play an essential role in:

• Influencing public dialogue
• Building trust
• Promoting healing
• Advancing racial justice
• Inspiring civic participation
• Supporting community resilience
• Transforming public systems

By combining financial support with documentation resources and artist stipends, the initiative creates an environment where collaborations can thrive over several years.

Visit HERE to learn more about the Belonging in Oakland

Organizations Behind the Initiative

The Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund is made possible through collaboration among respected philanthropic and public institutions.

These include:

• East Bay Community Foundation
• Akonadi Foundation
• City of Oakland Cultural Affairs Division
• Surdna Foundation’s Thriving Cultures Program

Together, these organizations seek to strengthen Oakland by investing in arts, culture, racial equity, and community leadership.

Deadline

Letter of Interest (LOI) Deadline: Friday, August 28, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT).

Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

Conclusion

The Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund 2026 represents an exceptional opportunity for Oakland-based cultural organizations, artists, and social change leaders committed to building a more equitable future. By offering $300,000 in funding over three years, alongside artist stipends and documentation support, the initiative provides the resources needed to create meaningful, community-driven change. Organizations with a proven commitment to racial equity, civic engagement, and collaborative leadership are encouraged to prepare strong applications before the August 28, 2026 deadline. This funding is more than a grant—it is an investment in creative partnerships that have the power to transform communities, reshape public narratives, and build a more just Oakland for future generations.

For more global Grant opportunity visit OFY HERE