The Racial Equity Fund (REF) Grant Program of the York County Community Foundation (YCCF) recently awarded $31,482 in grants to local nonprofits. The REF Committee is comprised of community leaders of color who select projects that address issues of racism and inequity.
The Racial Equity Fund offers grants for projects that address equity gaps for communities of color in the following areas:
- Education and job readiness
- Criminal justice system
- Community leadership and development
- Income and wealth creation
- Racial and cultural education
- Health and wellness
The following programs received grants from the Racial Equity Fund:
- $20,000 to York Day Learning for its Dismantling Racism in the Early Childhood Classroom program. York Day utilizes evidence-based best-practices to dismantle the structural, cultural, and interpersonal racism that can impact children of color from reaching their full potential.
- $5,000 to YMCA of the Roses for a coalition of community organizations and groups to travel to Washington DC to participate in the 60th Anniversary March On Washington.
- $3982 to Shiloh Baptist Church for its Souls to the Polls 2023 program to provide fixed route Rabbittransit service in York County on Election Day November 7, 2023, at no cost to the general public.
- $2,500 to the York Bar Foundation for a panel discussion and film screening of the documentary PARDON ME which highlights the pardon process and how it can give individuals the opportunity to live as full citizens and help uplift the communities in which they live.
Adrian Buckner, Vice President of Grants and Community Engagement and Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer at YCCF said, “York County Community Foundation’s Racial Equity Fund continues to support organizations that are doing impactful work for BIPOC individuals. We believe this work is imperative to creating a vibrant York County where everyone can thrive.”
To qualify for a grant, nonprofits must be working directly with people of color, with a preference for projects that are led by people of color.
Prior to submitting a Racial Equity Fund grant application, all potential grantees must schedule a meeting with Adrian Buckner, Vice President of Grants and Community Engagement to discuss the grant proposal and ensure it meets the funding source requirements.
To schedule a meeting, please contact Chawna Griffith-Myers by email: cgriffith@yccf.org or by phone: 717.848.3733
YCCF created the Racial Equity Fund in 2020 to establish a dedicated grant program to support meaningful, positive action towards addressing racial inequities in our community. Additional contributions are being sought to sustain an endowment to ensure meaningful grants are distributed every year.
For more information on the Racial Equity Fund and the grant program please visit: https://yccf.org/racial-equity-fund/
