ALL ABOUT GRANTS

Ujima Legacy Fund seeks to support nonprofits that empower youth through education related initiatives.

Funding may be used for program support or specific projects. Consideration will also be given to capacity building requests to strengthen the infrastructure and increase the program capacity of start-up or established organizations that serve the target demographic.

Capacity building requests may include:

  • Planning activities: e.g, organizational assessments; strategic planning; or business planning for social enterprise

  • Improving financial management or fund development

  • Training for staff and/or volunteers

  • Techonology improvements that will have a significant impact on internal efficiency and allow for new ways of doing business

2024 GRANTS

The Ujima Legacy Fund will not award grants in 2024. The membership has elected to take the upcoming year to build its endowment and ensure more consistent funding for future community needs. We remain committed to growing inclusive philanthropy and supporting projects that promote equitable outcomes among youth and young adults, ages 12 to 21 years, with emphasis on Black/African American youth. Future updates will be posted as they are available.

APPLY FOR A GRANT

To be eligible to apply for a Ujima Legacy Fund grant, your organization must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that serves the residents of the City of Richmond, and/or the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Goochland and/or Powhatan.

We regret that we cannot accept applications from:

  • Individual religious institutions
  • Private foundations
  • Colleges and universities
  • Individuals or scholarship applicants

We also cannot accept applications to support:

  • Debt reduction or operational deficits
  • Endowments or memorials
  • Bridge funding or interim financing
  • Partisan, political or legislative activities
  • Legal expenses

Ujima Legacy Fund seeks to support nonprofits that empower youth through education related initiatives. This may include, but is not limited to:

  • After-school and out-of-school time programming
  • Career development
  • College preparation
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Financial literacy
  • Literacy
  • Mentoring
  • Technology training
  • Tutoring

Funding may be used for program support or specific projects. Consideration will also be given to capacity building requests to strengthen the infrastructure and increase the program capacity of start-up or established organizations that serve the target demographic. Capacity building requests may include:

  • Planning activities: e.g., organizational assessments; strategic planning; or business planning for social enterprise
  • Improving financial management or fund development
  • Training for staff and/or volunteers
  • Technology improvements that will have a significant impact on internal efficiency and allow for new ways of doing business

It is anticipated that one to three grants of $20,000 will be awarded this year.

Application Process:

The grants portal will open for applications on August 22, and all proposals must be received by The Community Foundation no later than 5:00 P.M., September 19.

Review Process:

A volunteer committee of Ujima Legacy Fund will review requests, conduct site visits with selected organizations in November. Five finalists will be invited to present at a meeting of full membership in early December.

Selection Process and Announcement:

The award decision will be finalized through a live vote following the finalist presentations. The award will be announced and celebrated at an annual celebration event in the November or December.

 

UJIMA’S PHILANTHROPIC FOCUS

Areas of work may include, but are not limited to:

  • After-school and out-of-school time programming

  • Career development

  • College Preparation

  • Entrepreneurship

  • Financial literacy

  • Literacy

  • Mentoring

  • Technology training

  • Tutoring

GRANT RECIPENTS