Communities First - Movement CARE Fund

The Communities First Fund is committed to the liberation and well-being of low-wealth and Black, Brown, and Native communities. It recognizes the challenges nonprofit organizations face and aims to alleviate the pressures these groups encounter through thoughtful philanthropic strategies. With this commitment in mind, the fund has introduced the Movement CARE (Community, Assistance, Regeneration, Endurance) Fund. This initiative is designed to provide timely and responsive resources, emphasizing the human aspect of grassroots and frontline work, particularly in the climate, environmental, and energy justice movements. The Movement CARE Fund offers rapid response funding to help organizations navigate multiple concurrent crises and to support community-driven infrastructure initiatives that build sustainable power and promote accountability. The fund provides flexible support tailored to grassroots, frontline, and community-based organizations, with a strong emphasis on enabling operational continuity, staff support, healing, strategic rest, and long-term organizational endurance. Funding priorities include operational development, sustaining team capacity, nurturing hope and joy within the workplace, and supporting wellness and mental health strategies. To qualify for the Movement CARE Fund, organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or fiscally sponsored projects based in the United States or U.S. Territories. Eligible groups must serve historically underserved communities, especially those advancing racial, climate, environmental, and energy justice. Indicators of eligibility include having leadership and boards composed predominantly of people of color, being community-accountable grassroots organizations, and membership in environmental or climate justice coalitions. Special priority will be given to organizations located in the Midwest and South, as well as those impacted by federal funding cuts. Applicants must submit their information through the JustFund platform and complete a Common Application. Required components include a current organization budget and responses to specific questions about how the funds will support staff and the implications of not receiving funding. If applicable, applicants should also describe how federal funding cuts have impacted their operations. The application deadline is May 16, 2025, by 2:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM EST. Decisions will be announced by May 25, 2025. The total funding pool is $2 million, with individual grants of up to $25,000, depending on the size and scope of the proposed work. The fund does not support short-term campaigns, coalitions and networks, or technical assistance providers. For further information or questions, applicants can contact Communities First via email at cfinfrastructurealliance@gmail.com. Applicants must sign up or log in to the JustFund platform to submit their proposals.