Seed Grants will resource organizations that are most underrepresented in traditional grantmaking, such as rural and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). Funds will be awarded quarterly throughout the year until no more funds are available. Seed Grants will provide small unrestricted funds to new groups who are in the early stages of building their community work but do not yet meet all of SJF’s community organizing criteria, and may not yet qualify for our regular grants. If your organization is less than three years old, has never been funded by SJF, and is currently doing or planning on community organizing work, then you are eligible for a $5,000 Seed Grant.

Organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501 (c)(4) status as determined by the IRS
American Indian/NativeAmerican/First Nation Tribal Government or Agency
Organizations that are fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3) or 501 (c)(4) organizations or tribal governments

We prioritize organizations in both the prescreening and final decision process that:

• Have leadership (at least 51%) from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities and/or
• Conduct most of their work/organizing in reservation communities and/or rural, small-town communities (SJF defines rural as any location in the five-state region that is outside of the Seattle and Portland metropolitan areas)