“The Liberation Fund will make it easier for donors and funders to identify and resource some of the most effective and innovative organizing at the grassroots led by women of color and transgender people of color. To elevate women of color and trans people of color at a time when our communities are under extreme duress is not only smart, but essential for our survival. There’s never been a better time for donors and funders to put their money directly where change is happening.“
Alicia Garza
Black Lives Matter
Liberation Fund Advisor
“Millions of Americans are hungry for leadership that ignites our political imagination and offers clear, concrete pathways forward. Women of color- and LGBTQ people of color-led organizations are doing just that, energizing newly-engaged people to drive a sea change for greater freedom and justice. Now is the time for funders and donors to meet that level of boldness in their giving strategies.”
Linda Sarsour
MPower Change
Liberation Fund Advisor
In the wake of a game-changing election, Groundswell started the Liberation Fund to support the strongest grassroots organizing efforts led by women of color and transgender people of color across social justice sectors.
Groundswell believes that strong grassroots organizing that holds public officials accountable in their home districts is critical to protecting and advancing rights; and that, in the era of Trump, the two groups that bear the greatest burden of white supremacy and misogyny in the US – women of color and transgender people of color – have a vital leadership role to play in the larger resistance movement.
The Liberation Fund, is a joint project of Groundswell Fund (a 501c3) and Groundswell Action Fund (a 501c4). The fund’s expansive approach advances Groundswell’s mission of reproductive justice — ensuring we all have the power to make decisions about our bodies, families and futures.
“At a time when trans women of color experience and face disproportionate amounts of violence at the hands of the state and society, it is so critical for movements and resources to amplify the voices of TWOC leaders and community based organizations that are empowering our most vulnerable. This fund is a show of support and signal to the movement that we must do better to protect, defend, and uplift TWOC-led work!”
Isa Noyola
Transgender Law Center
Liberation Fund Advisor
Liberation Fund Advisors
Liberation Fund grants have been awarded at the recommendation of the fund’s advisors – 15 prominent women of color leaders from various U.S. social justice movements from environmental, racial and economic justice, to immigrant, Native and transgender rights:
Ai-jen Poo
National Domestic Workers Allliance
Alicia Garza
National Domestic Workers Allliance
Black Lives Matter
Angelica Salas
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)
Bamby Salcedo
TransLatin@ Coalition
Chrissie Castro
Native Voice Network
Cindy Wiesner
Grassroots Global Justice
Denise Perry
Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity (BOLD)
Elle Hearns
The Marsha P. Johnson Institute
Isa Noyola
Transgender Law Center
Linda Sarsour
MPower Change
Mary Hooks
Southerners On New Ground
Miya Yoshitani
Asian Pacific Environmental Network
Sarita Gupta
Jobs With Justice
Saru Jayaraman
Restaurant Opportunities Center ROC United
“It is important that foundations understand the work that needs to be done and our communities that are led by women of color and trans communities. It is obvious that the Groundswell Fund is one that is leading these efforts, other foundations should learn and follow suit.”
Bamby Salcedo
TransLatin@ Coalition
Liberation Fund Advisor
“For decades women of color have been showing up to organize our communities to build grassroots power for the dignity we deserve. From reproductive justice to economic justice to climate change, criminal justice, and immigrant rights, across the board, we’ve built powerful organizations using multi-issue campaigns to protect and advance the rights of us all. Resources and long-term investment from places like the Liberation Fund help support and fortify the scaffolding we’ve built both now and far into the future beyond any single president or legislative attack.”
Ai-jen Poo
National Domestic Workers Alliance
Liberation Fund Advisor
Grantees must meet a high bar to be considered for funding, and will be assessed for their strength in some of the following areas:
- Strong grassroots organizing capacity: the effective use of base building leadership development and strategic campaigns to enable those most impacted by injustice to transform the policies, systems and material conditions that impact their lives.
- A sophisticated race/class/gender/decolonization analysis of the political landscape (including how it impacts women of color and transgender people of color) that informs strategic campaign plans as well as internal organizational practices.
- Whole person organizing: Organizational values, practices and priorities that reflect an environment where staff and constituents are supported to bring their whole selves and all of their identities to the work.
- Leadership: Organizations led by women of color and/or transgender people of color with a highly engaged and growing membership base comprised of people directly impacted by the conditions that the organization seeks to transform.
To Donate
Donate online or if you would like to discuss making a gift to the Liberation Fund, please contact Senior Development Associate J.F. Lyles at jflyles@groundswellfund.org.