Borealis Philanthropy has officially launched the Just Futures Initiative, a new grant opportunity designed to invest in grassroots organizations, coalitions, and collaborative formations working to advance community safety, democracy protection, civil rights, and belonging across the United States.

The initiative builds on Borealis Philanthropy’s longstanding commitment to supporting community-led solutions that reduce criminalization, strengthen democratic participation, and promote justice for communities most affected by policing, incarceration, surveillance, detention, and state violence.

Unlike many traditional grant opportunities, the Just Futures Initiative provides flexible general operating support, allowing organizations to adapt their work to changing community needs throughout the grant period.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis while funding remains available.

About Borealis Philanthropy

Borealis Philanthropy is a movement-centered philanthropic intermediary dedicated to building an inclusive, multiracial democracy where everyone experiences dignity, safety, belonging, and justice.

Through partnerships with grassroots organizations, movement leaders, and donors, Borealis invests in transformational strategies that strengthen communities and advance social justice.

Its work spans several issue areas, including:

• Community Safety and Justice
• Democracy Protection
• Civil Rights
• Grassroots Leadership
• Social Justice Movements
• Community Organizing

The Just Futures Initiative represents one of Borealis’ newest investments under its Community Safety & Justice portfolio.

About the Just Futures Initiative

The Just Futures Initiative expands Borealis Philanthropy’s long-standing investments in:

• Community safety
• Decarceration
• Protest defense
• Community accountability
• Alternatives to punishment
• Civic participation
• Democracy protection

The initiative recognizes that the people closest to community challenges are also those best positioned to create lasting solutions.

Rather than relying on punitive systems, the initiative seeks to strengthen community-led approaches rooted in care, protection, organizing, and collective power.

Purpose of the Grant

The Just Futures Initiative supports organizations building long-term community infrastructure that promotes:

• Community-defined safety
• Civil and human rights
• Democratic participation
• Freedom from criminalization
• Community belonging
• Collective resilience

The initiative seeks to resource organizations already creating alternatives that reduce dependence on policing, incarceration, detention, and punishment.

Priority Funding Areas

Organizations applying should align their work with one of the initiative’s three funding priorities.

1. Movement Defense and Protection of Civil and Human Rights

This funding stream supports initiatives that protect communities experiencing heightened criminalization and state repression.

Examples include:

• Protest defense
• Civil liberties advocacy
• Legal protection
• Community defense strategies
• Human rights initiatives
• Surveillance response

2. Community-Defined Safety and Alternatives to Criminalization

This area funds community-driven approaches that create safer neighborhoods without relying on punitive systems.

Examples include:

• Crisis response models
• Violence interruption
• Community accountability
• Restorative practices
• Local safety infrastructure
• Policy reform
• Alternatives to policing
• Alternatives to detention

3. Local Democracy Protection and Belonging Infrastructure

This funding supports organizations strengthening civic participation and democratic inclusion.

Examples include:

• Community organizing
• Civic engagement
• Democracy protection
• Local leadership development
• Community participation
• Inclusive governance
• Coalition building

Grant Amounts

The inaugural Just Futures Initiative offers 12-month general operating grants.

Funding includes:

Standard Grants

• USD $50,000–$100,000

Strategic Collaborative Grants

• Up to USD $200,000

Most successful applicants are expected to receive awards between:

• USD $50,000 and USD $75,000

Collaborative initiatives with strong ecosystem-building or rapid-response justifications may receive larger awards.

As a guideline, grant requests should generally not exceed 30% of an organization’s annual operating budget, unless justified by collaborative or emergency needs.

Who Should Apply?

The initiative welcomes proposals from:

• Grassroots nonprofits
• Community organizations
• Coalitions
• Collaborative partnerships
• Fiscally sponsored projects

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong community trust
• Leadership rooted in lived experience
• Accountability to impacted communities
• Experience organizing around justice and community safety
• Clear strategies for long-term systems change

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must:

• Be a U.S.-based or U.S. territory-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit or fiscally sponsored project.
• Have an annual operating budget generally below USD $2 million.
• Work directly with communities most affected by criminalization.
• Demonstrate expertise in community safety, organizing, or democracy protection.
• Center community leadership in their work.
• Include a clear organizing and power-building strategy.

Priority consideration will be given to organizations serving underfunded Southern communities, rural areas, and high-threat regions.

What Borealis Wants to Support

Successful proposals should clearly explain:

• The community challenge being addressed.
• Why the issue is urgent.
• The proposed strategy.
• Activities planned during the 12-month grant period.
• Expected outcomes.
• Community relationships supporting the work.
• Leadership accountability.
• Organizational readiness.

The initiative values flexibility and understands that community needs evolve.

Grantees will have the freedom to adapt activities throughout the grant period while remaining aligned with their proposed goals.

Learning and Collaboration Opportunities

Beyond financial support, selected grantees may also participate in:

• Peer learning sessions
• Community of practice discussions
• Ecosystem-building opportunities
• Strategic collaboration
• Future initiative planning

These engagements will help organizations share lessons, strengthen networks, and contribute to the future direction of the Just Futures Initiative.

Application Process

The application consists of two stages.

Stage One: Letter of Interest (LOI)

Eligible organizations begin by completing an online Letter of Interest after passing the eligibility quiz.

The LOI asks applicants to explain:

• The issue or opportunity being addressed
• Their proposed strategy
• Expected outcomes
• Organizational readiness
• Collaborative partnerships (if applicable)

Organizations selected during this stage will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Stage Two: Full Proposal

Invited applicants will submit:

• Detailed project narrative
• Organizational budget
• Grant budget
• Leadership information
• Optional supporting documents

Letter of Interest Questions

Applicants should prepare responses covering:

1. The community challenge, threat, or opportunity.
2. The proposed strategy over the 12-month grant period.
3. Expected outcomes and long-term impact.
4. Community relationships and leadership experience.
5. Collaborative partners and coordination plans (if applicable).

Application Timeline

The Just Futures Initiative is currently accepting rolling applications.

There is no fixed application deadline.

Applications will be reviewed through multiple Letter of Interest cohorts, with funding decisions made on a rolling basis while grant funds remain available.

Interested organizations are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

How to Apply

Organizations should begin by completing the Just Futures Eligibility Quiz.

Eligible applicants will receive access to the online Letter of Interest application.

Following review, selected organizations will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Applicants are also encouraged to subscribe to the Borealis Philanthropy newsletter to receive updates about future funding opportunities.

Apply Here

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