FREEDOM FUND

With the support of the Oak and Douty Foundations, Gender Justice Fund (GJF) created the Freedom Fund to support the under-funded ecosystem of programs serving women, trans, and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals in jail/prison or in reentry in the Philadelphia area. The Freedom Fund will award three-year grants of $50,000 in general operating support. Each grantee will also have access to $20,000 in funding for capacity-building support (see below for more information about capacity-building) to promote organizational growth and sustainability.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Review the eligibility criteria (below) to ensure that your organization qualifies.

  • Schedule an applicant support session to ask GJF staff any questions you have about the application (not required but recommended).

  • Submit your application online here by Thursday, February 29, 2024 by 5:00 PM EDT

    • We recommend preparing your responses in a Word document and then copying and pasting them into the online form.

    • There are no word limits for any questions.

    • You can download a PDF of all the application questions here.

GRANTMAKING TIMELINE

Application form available: February 1, 2024 (view it here)

One-on-one applicant support sessions: February 5 - 15 (click here to schedule a session)

Application Deadline: Thursday, February 29, 2024 @ 5:00 PM EDT

Grantee Interviews: Early March (these will be scheduled with select applicants)

Grant Announcements: Late March 2024

ELIGBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for the Freedom Fund, organizations must:

  • Have a history of providing direct services specifically targeted to women and or TGNC people in prison/jail or in reentry.

  • Provide direct services (e.g. employment, education, mental health, referrals, case management, housing) that support housing access/stability.

  • Have an annual operating budget of under $500,000.

  • Be incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) or have a fiscal sponsor.

  • Operate in Philadelphia (They may also operate in other locations, but they must provide substantive services within City limits)

  • Provide nonsectarian services in a manner supportive of clients all religions as well as those individuals who eschew organized religion.

ABOUT CAPACITY BUILDING

Successful applicants will work with a consultant to identify capacity-building needs and goals for their organization over the grant period. Gender Justice Fund will pay capacity-building consultants directly to avoid the potential for tipping. Capacity-building activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Fundraising

  • Board Development

  • Strategic Planning

  • Financial Management

  • Coaching

  • Technology

  • Program Planning & Evaluation