Image overlooking the New England's tallest clock tower and Library Park in Downtown Waterbury, Connecticut.
Photographed by Derek Ward Photography
CONNECT
CONNECT
Image of the Greatbrook Reservoir by Lakewood Park in Waterbury, Connecticut.
Photographed by Clay Johnson
Planning & Building
For Social Justice Grant
With this opportunity, the Leever Foundation is interested in strengthening social justice efforts in Waterbury, Connecticut by supporting community-driven grassroots organizations, collectives, local groups and networks working toward justice and equity. In the current landscape that is ever evolving and contains emerging threats, the Foundation aims to offer community-driven initiatives access to timely support for planning and constructing their social change efforts (sometimes referred to as ‘capacity building’ or ‘technical assistance’). The Foundation recognizes that planning and developing sustainability, infrastructure, capacity and power-building in social justice work can be defined and practiced in various ways.
Up to $100,000 in total funding is available for Planning & Building for Social Justice, to support multiple Waterbury grantees in 2025.
The aim of this opportunity is to respond to needs of movement building and community-driven efforts by supporting their social justice impact through
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Community Power Building – like strengthening movement building leadership, organizing strategies, and advocacy infrastructure.
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Planning support – through building cross-organizational collaborations, coalitions, and shared resources.
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Peer-to-Peer Learning & Mentorship – by implementing spaces for organizers and leaders to exchange strategies, share knowledge, and strengthen movement infrastructure together.
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Infrastructure Development - namely investing in the design of strategies and organizational frameworks that allow social justice entities to thrive outside of traditional nonprofit models.
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Movement Resilience & Adaptive Strategy – as in planning for community needs resulting from political shifts; responding to emerging threats or refining and communicating strategies for systemic change.
ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE
The foundation recognizes social justice as a cross-cutting strategy essential to dismantling systemic inequities across racial, educational, environmental, economic, gender, and other types of injustice. The foundation supports efforts that address root causes and push for structural transformation in order to build lasting, intersectional change for marginalized communities.
Funding Priorities
Priority will be given to proposals that:
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Address urgent needs resulting from recent shifts in the political landscape.
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Focus on marginalized and underrepresented communities.
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Center BILPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, disability justice and other historically marginalized communities in Waterbury.
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Challenge and transform oppressive systems while building just alternatives.
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Demonstrate community engagement and collaboration.
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Have a clear plan for measuring impact.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualified applicants include nonprofit organizations, movement building initiatives, and community groups that:
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Are based in, or work within Waterbury, CT. The funds must be used to directly benefit Waterbury, CT.
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Are working on or are wanting to work on systems change and structural transformation (read about how the Leever Foundation defines systems change and structural transformation),
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Work to support emerging needs for strengthening programming and activities towards social justice, systems change and other equity efforts what directly benefit Waterbury.
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Have a plan for sustaining the impact of this funding beyond the grant period.
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Can complete the proposed capacity-building effort within a 12-month period.
Please note that this grant opportunity DOES NOT support the following:
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Individuals
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Capital campaigns, equipment or furniture purchases
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501(c)4 institutions
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Schools (public, private, or charter) or government institutions
Application Process & Timeline
All applicants must attend a 45-minute webinar before submitting their application.
WEBINAR DATES
March 31, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/PBMarchWebinar
April 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/PBAprilWebinar
Following the webinar attendees will use the Foundation’s application portal to complete a short application and uploading the following materials:
1. Brief Proposal Narratives Including*:
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Organization Overview
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Capacity-Building & Urgency
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Community-Driven Impact
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Measurability & Outcomes
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Long-Term Sustainability
*Optional: Applicants may submit a short, up to 8-minute video response instead of a written application.
2. Budgets both project/initiative and organizational
3. Proof of Nonprofit Status or information about the nonprofit status of an eligible fiscal sponsor
4. Letters of Support if collaborating with other organizations
Application Deadline is May 2, 2025
REVIEW PROCESS
Proposals will be reviewed within 5 weeks of submission by a committee based on the following criteria:
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Alignment with funding priorities.
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Feasibility and clarity of proposed activities.
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Potential for long-term impact.
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