Seeding Justice

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $25,793,681 (2023 total expenses)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Approximately 2-3 months
• Grant Range: $7,000 - $15,000 (General Fund)
• Geographic Focus: Oregon

Contact Details

• Website: https://seedingjustice.org
• Phone: 503-289-1517
• Email: info@seedingjustice.org
• Grants Email: grants@seedingjustice.org
• Address: Center for Social Justice, 510 SW 3rd Ave, Suite 300, Portland, Oregon 97204

Overview

Founded in 1976 as MRG Foundation and renamed Seeding Justice in 2021, this Portland-based 501(c)(3) social change funding organisation has been described as "the region's leading funder of social change organising." With nearly 50 years of grantmaking experience, Seeding Justice focuses on supporting community-led movements and grassroots organising throughout Oregon. The foundation operates on the principle that "communities most impacted are best equipped to solve issues they face" and emphasises building trust, relationships, and true partnerships with grantees. Their approach centres on moving wealth to the frontlines of organising and collective change.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

General Fund Grants: Up to $15,000 for 501(c)(3) organisations; up to $7,000 for groups without fiscal sponsorship

• Two cycles annually (Spring and Fall)
• Deadlines typically mid-March and mid-September
• Participatory grantmaking approach

Lilla Jewel Awards: $10,000 per artist

• For Oregon-based artists of marginalised genders advancing social justice messages
• Applications open in first half of 2026
• Note: Taxable income reported on Form 1099-MISC

Rapid Response Grants: Amount varies

• For current grantees only
• Emergency and opportunity response funding
• Rolling basis when available

Reproductive Health Equity Fund: Administered $15 million state allocation (2022-2024)

• Rapid response and systems change grants
• Focus on underserved communities
• Programme completed March 2024

Immigrant Rights and Advocacy Fellowship: Amount varies

• For individuals committed to immigrant rights advocacy in Oregon
• Manages distribution from dissolved Causa organisation

Priority Areas

Seeding Justice prioritises funding for:

• Small, emergent, and grassroots organisations
• Groups led by Black and Indigenous people
• Organisations serving communities of colour
• Groups representing intersectional identities (LGBTQIA2S+, immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, low income, formerly incarcerated, houseless, rural communities)
• Work that builds community power and dismantles oppression
• Efforts addressing root causes of systemic issues
• Organisations with clear strategies for change

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals or businesses (except artist awards)
• Animal welfare organisations
• Capital campaigns
• Direct services
• Religious-affiliated programmes
• Scholarships
• Unions
• Work already completed
• Political campaigns or candidates

Governance and Leadership

While specific leadership names were not available in public materials, Seeding Justice emphasises community-centred governance with participatory grantmaking committees composed of community members and former grantees. The organisation states: "What we do is for the lives of our neighbours—those closest to the pain of injustice—and for the freedom to imagine and build a future where justice, dignity and belonging aren't privileges but rights."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through Submittable platform. Process varies by programme:

• General Fund: Two annual cycles with specific deadlines
• Rapid Response: Rolling basis for current grantees when available
• Lilla Jewel Awards: Application period in first half of 2026
• Other programmes: Check website for current availability

Applicants must create a Submittable account and are encouraged to sign up for the newsletter to receive opportunity notifications.

Decision Timeline

General Fund grants typically receive decisions within 2-3 months of application deadline. Applications are reviewed by community committees using participatory grantmaking approaches.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed, but the foundation notes they are unlikely to fund more than 50% of a project's total budget or 33% of an organisation's annual budget.

Reapplication Policy

Organisations can reapply in subsequent grant cycles. Rapid Response grants are only available to current grantees.

Application Success Factors

Based on Seeding Justice's stated priorities and approach:

• Demonstrate clear connection to affected communities: Show how leadership reflects the communities served
• Focus on systemic change: Articulate how your work addresses root causes rather than symptoms
• Show movement connections: Demonstrate collaborative approaches and connections to broader social movements
• Budget alignment: Ensure request doesn't exceed 50% of project budget or 33% of organisational budget
• Clear problem articulation: Clearly define the problem and your solution strategy
• Emphasise community power building: Show how your work builds lasting community capacity
• Highlight intersectional approaches: Address multiple forms of oppression and marginalisation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Seeding Justice strongly prioritises BIPOC-led and marginalised community-led organisations
• Participatory grantmaking means community members review applications - write accessibly
• General Fund grants have predictable twice-yearly cycles - plan accordingly
• Maximum funding thresholds mean you'll need diverse funding sources
• Focus on organising and systemic change rather than direct services
• Building relationships as a current grantee opens access to Rapid Response funding
• The foundation values trust-based partnerships over transactional relationships

References

• Seeding Justice Official Website: https://seedingjustice.org (Accessed December 2024)
• General Fund Grant Guidelines: https://seedingjustice.org/general-fund (Accessed December 2024)
• Lilla Jewel Awards Programme: https://seedingjustice.org/lilla-jewel-awards (Accessed December 2024)
• Reproductive Health Equity Fund: https://seedingjustice.org/reproductive-health-equity-fund (Accessed December 2024)
• Rapid Response Grants: https://seedingjustice.org/rapid-response-grants (Accessed December 2024)
• Annual Report Archive: https://seedingjustice.org/annual-report (Accessed December 2024)
• Financial Statements Page: https://seedingjustice.org/who-we-are/financials (Accessed December 2024)