These grants provide programming support up to $10,000 for Black-led, Black-serving organizations that are advancing youth leadership, development training and opportunities, and community-based intergenerational collaborations and programming within the racial justice space. Funds may be used to support programming activities. Grantees will be required to participate in Foundation-sponsored learning sessions with other Racial Equity Seed grantees. New and emerging programs will be considered. Funds are not intended for general operating support.
For specific questions, contact grants@poisefdn.org
Programming, activities, and training that seek to build confidence, knowledge, skills, and collective leadership of young people, ages 25 and under, while addressing the root causes of injustice and inequity in their lives and communities. Programs should incorporate some of the following characteristics:
Respect youth voice and culture
Promotes collective leadership development
Fosters understanding and analysis of community and society
Encourages collective agency and strategic action
Values youth-adult partnerships
Programming, activities, and training that seek to provide opportunities for youth, adults, and seniors to engage with and learn from one another. Programming should serve to empower and engage individuals in dialogue and creative solutions to address the root causes of injustice and inequity in their lives and communities.
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 and their work must primarily benefit its residents
The project must address social justice issues impacting Black residents in Allegheny County
Youth-led Social Change projects must target Black youth ages 25 and under
Intergenerational Projects must engage youth, adults, and seniors
That have not been awarded POISE Community Grant Funding during the application year
With budgets of $600,000 or less
With a plan for how they want to grow their work over the next year
With projects that promote community and organizational collaboration
General operating requests or start-up costs
Projects sponsored by a government agency or school
Individuals, endowment funds or capital campaigns
The Racial Equity Seed grants are not open to offer support at the current time
POISE FOUNDATION, Two Gateway Center, Suite 1700, 603 Stanwix Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222