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Repairing the world, one step at a time.
As part of Schusterman Family Philanthropies’ broader commitment to building more just and inclusive societies, REALITY offers Social Justice Micro Grants that support REALITY community members in their work to center equity in their communities.
These micro grants of up to $2,500 will help REALITY alumni take purposeful action toward engaging more people and organizations in the work of tikkun olam (repairing the world). While these micro grants will not address the extent of the hardships communities and individuals are facing today, they are intended to support REALITY alumni efforts to provide direct and immediate relief to communities impacted by various systemic challenges.
The goal of these micro grants is to provide relief via initiatives within the following categories:
- Racial equity
- Criminal justice reform
- Education reform
- Hunger and food security
- Accessibility
- Gender and reproductive equity
- LGBTQ advocacy/security
We are proud of the initiatives our alumni community has led with these micro grants. Informed by our commitment to repairing the world, our core value of equity, our leadership journeys, our personal and professional experiences, we believe that our community is uniquely positioned to:
- Identify emergency response and relief initiatives that support organizations, communities and businesses leading the ongoing social justice movements and provide relief and/or resources to those most impacted by inequity;
- Act quickly to organize and implement initiatives or collaborate with existing organizations who are focusing on equity work; and
- Work with fellow REALITY community members and/or experts in the fields providing direct service and relief to those most impacted by inequity—particularly Black people, Indigenous people and people of color—and the social justice work taking place.
Some example initiatives include:
- Purchasing food and other necessary supplies and items for families, children, and communities in need.
- Purchasing educational resources, services and tech items to make systems, institutions or programs more accessible.
- Providing mental health resources for communities experiencing trauma.
- Providing masks, food and water to protesters supporting equity.
- Supporting local-owned restaurants and businesses by purchasing supplies to donate to local food banks and homeless shelters.
Please note that all initiatives supported by these micro grants must comply with the guidelines set by relevant local authorities, as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
We are inspired by how our REALITY community remains committed to drawing on our values as we show up for each other and support those in need. If you need assistance or have questions, please send us a message!
Schusterman Family Philanthropies is deeply committed to centering equity in our work. We invite you to learn more about our journey to Alabama and explore our racial, gender and economic equity work.
FAQs
Who is eligible to apply?
Members of the REALITY community are eligible to apply for and receive a total of two micro grants each calendar year:
- One Emergency Response Micro Grant of up to $2,500; and
- One Social Justice Micro Grant of up to $2,500.
What is the goal of these micro grants?
- To support REALITY community members in their efforts to provide direct relief and/or resources to communities and businesses in need through the work of the initiatives listed above.
Who should these grants impact?
- Communities and individuals in need who have been most impacted by inequity.
- Initiatives supporting the social justice categories listed above.
What should these micro grants be used for?
- Immediate, one-time grant up to $2,500 to support communities in need via the various social justice categories listed above.
- The grants should fund direct goods and services to communities in need.
- Example initiatives:
- Purchasing food and other necessary supplies and items for families, children and communities in need.
- Purchasing educational resources, services and tech items to make systems, institutions or programs more accessible.
- Providing mental health resources for communities experiencing trauma.
- Providing masks, food and water to protesters supporting equity.
- Supporting local-owned restaurants and businesses by purchasing supplies to donate to local food banks and homeless shelters.
- This funding is intended for initiatives that align with the Schusterman Family Philanthropies’ vision, core focus areas and values. Read more about these here.
- Programming must target at least 20 individuals or plan to reach at least 20 individual beneficiaries.
- Grants will NOT be made to specifically named organizations, individuals or families.
- All initiatives supported by these micro grants must comply with the guidelines set by relevant local authorities, as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), especially as it relates to social distancing and local shelter-in-place policies currently in effect.
- Micro grant applications will be processed within seven business days of submission.
What should these micro grants not be used for?
This is not an exhaustive list, but here are some examples of what REALITY Micro Grants will not cover:
- REALITY Micro Grants will not provide charitable donations to organizations, individuals or families.
- No aspect of the initiative may involve an attempt to influence legislation, the outcome of any specific public election or support of any voter registration drive.
- Applications that include the following will not be funded:
- Paying bills (rent, utilities, etc.)
- Salaries to employees/investments in start-ups
- Direct payments/donations/stipends to organizations or individual people
- Direct donations to fundraisers
- Websites/apps/surveys
- Clinical trials
- Applications that fund an alum’s organization's operations/infrastructure/fundraiser, or the services of a REALITY alum, will not be funded.
When will I receive notification on the grant?
- You will receive notification on the grant within 7 business days of receipt.
How does the payment process work?
- Final reporting must be submitted within seven days of the project’s completion. You will find a link to your final report in the “My Tasks” section when logged in to the Community Platform.
- In keeping with REALITY Micro Grant protocols, payment will be made via PayPal upon completion of the program.
- Receipts and any signed documentation will be required in order to receive payment. Receipts must be submitted in JPEG, PNG or PDF format.
- Payments will be made as reimbursements and will be based on approved funding amount and actual expenses incurred.
- Reimbursement will be made within 5 business days of final report approval.