Black Equity Movement Program Origin Story
The Collins Foundation Black Equity Movement (BEM) Committee was formed in 2020 in response to the fatal acts of police brutality against George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, two of many Black people killed by police across the country. The COVID pandemic also plainly revealed a truth Black communities already knew, systemic inequities exist and have harmful generational effects. The Collins Foundation formed the BEM Committee to confront and address the inequities experienced by Black Oregonians. We asked Black-led and Black-serving organizations to share their hopes and challenges with us. What we learned led to the development of the Black Equity Movement General Operations Grant.
Black Equity Movement General Operations Grant
The Collins Foundation is committed to a just and equitable Oregon for all Oregonians. Through the work of our BEM Committee, the foundation seeks to confront and address the inequities experienced by Black Oregonians wherever they live in the state.
Eligibility/ Who We Fund:
The BEM General Operations Grant will fund emerging and mid-size Black-serving and/or Black-led organizations operating in Oregon. Eligible organizations have been in operation for seven years or fewer and/or have a budget under $500,000. Applicants must be one of the following:
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
An organization or project that operates under a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
What We Fund:
The BEM General Operations Grant provides unrestricted funds for general investments in support of a grantee's mission or for a specific project or program. Grantees can use the funds as they see fit to achieve their goals. Examples include salaries or overhead, investments in technology, or supplies.
This grant opportunity is for up to 40 percent of the operating budget of either a 501(c)(3) organization or a fiscally sponsored project. The maximum award is $50,000.
We Do Not Fund:
Individuals.
Political campaigns, lobbying, or the crafting of legislation.
Organizations that discriminate against communities they serve, staff, or volunteers on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected status.
Organizations that require participation in religious/faith activities as a condition of service delivery or require adherence to religious/faith beliefs as a condition of service or employment.
Before You Apply:
It's our hope the BEM General Operations Grant application process is easy to navigate. We recommend you do the following before starting the application. If you are applying with a fiscal sponsor, we strongly urge you to start the process early once the cycle opens on July 29, 2024.
For 501(c)3 organizations-
Organize information about your program areas and how these areas support your mission.
Current year’s and last year’s operating budget
Most recent profit and loss statement
Most recent balance sheet
List of board members, including the city and state where each of them lives. A minimum of four independent board members is required. An independent board member is a person who serves on a board of directors and is not part of the organization's staff.
For fiscally sponsored projects-
Please visit Collins Foundation Fiscal Sponsorship Instructions for BEM General Operations Grant.
- Before you can apply, our grants manager, Leann Do, must receive and approve your fiscal sponsorship agreement.
- Once the agreement is reviewed and approved by our grants manager, you will receive an email with the link to the BEM grant application. Agreements must be submitted for review by August 30 to allow sufficient time for the review and application process before the September 10 submission deadline.
Organize information about your project areas and how these areas support your mission.
Gather your current and last year’s operating budget, most current profit and loss, and a list of advisory committee or board members, including the city and state where each of them lives
Gather the following documents for your sponsor organization: current year operating budget, most recent profit and loss, most recent balance sheet, and list of board members, including the city and state where each of them lives. A minimum of four independent board members is required. An independent board member is a person who serves on a board of directors and is not part of the organization's staff.
- Review the application questions before you apply.
How To Apply:
For 501c3 applicants: Complete the BEM General Operations Grant application HERE. You will need a Google account to access the form. If you don't have a Google account, learn how to create one.
For fiscally sponsored applicants: Please visit Collins Foundation Fiscal Sponsorship Instructions BEM Gen Ops Grant. Before you can access the application, you must submit a fiscal sponsorship agreement that has been reviewed and approved by our grants manager, Leann Do (ldo@collinsfoundation.org.) Once your fiscal agreement has been approved, our grants manager will email you a link to access the application.
The BEM Committee hosted a live webinar on Thursday, August 1, to help guide you through the grant application process. A recording of the webinar is available here.
Submission Timeline:
BEM funding is not open at this time. Please continue to visit this site for updates.
Contact:
Please contact the BEM Committee at bem@collinsfoundation.org if you have any questions, require technical assistance, or want to learn more about the BEM General Operations Grant.