Rapid Response Mini-Grants

Funds that provide immediate financial support up to $2,500 to support Black-led, Black-serving organizations and movements that are on the frontlines responding to unanticipated crises that significantly impact Allegheny County’s Black community. Funds may be used to support social justice activities associated with direct action, community organizing, emergency mobilizations, and healing justice. This grant is intended for short-term community responses to events, situations that require urgent or timely action, or moments that can leverage recent attention or media coverage. Funds are not intended for general operating support, budget shortfalls, established projects, or long-term programming.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Black-Led, Black-Serving Organizations and Groups

  • Have a current 501(c)3 or a fiscal sponsor with this documentation.

  • Organizations/Groups must be located in Allegheny County or another surrounding Black community within the region and their work must primarily benefit its residents.

  • The project must address social justice issues impacting Black residents in Allegheny County or another surrounding Black community within the region.

Examples of potentially eligible projects

  • Emergency community organizing or direct action

  • Strategic actions against criminalization and violence

  • Healing and healing justice work

  • Marches and rallies

  • Conflict mediation/resolution

  • Community education efforts around unanticipated legislative or ballot initiatives

  • Grassroots voter registration initiatives

Projects not funded

  • Established projects or long-term programming

  • Start-up or general operating costs

  • Previously planned or long-term campaigns

  • Legal or bail fees

  • Fundraising campaigns for individuals

  • Budget shortfalls

  • Annual conferences or events

  • Organizations and projects that endorse specific candidates for elected office

  • Voter registration or turn-out for a particular party

Timeline

The Rapid Response Mini-grants are not open to offer support at the current time

For specific questions, contact grants@poisefdn.org