The DownRoot Fund exists to promote and preserve community ownership and community control. We are moving on from failed economic practices that exploit, extract, and uproot our people, our resources, and our culture. Instead, we are laying down roots with purpose: DownRoot funds projects that are building an economy that puts people in control of their lives, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
Build
Grants of up to $50,000 are available to support new collaborative projects that build shared wealth, shared ownership, and shared power. These can be new cooperative businesses, shared ownership of real estate, or nonprofit initiatives with shared decision making.
Preserve
Grants of up to $10,000 are available to support the preservation of existing business and nonprofits that are led by individuals from disinvested communities (i.e. Black, POC, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized groups), to help these businesses stay rooted in place.
Create
Grants of up to $5,000 are available for frontline arts and cultural organizations, collaborative arts projects, and individual artists. Frontline artists and organizations are those who are first and worst impacted by climate, economic, and racial injustice.
In order to apply, you will need to create an account for the Impact Charitable Online Portal
The DownRoot application will be open 3 times annually: April 1st through 30th, July 1st through 31st, and October 1st through 31st. Applications are due by 11:59 PM EST on the last day of each open period.
During each application cycle, submissions will be reviewed for 1 month, followed by award decisions. The April cycle will include a review period for the month of May, followed by decisions in the month of June. The July cycle will include a review period for the month of August, followed by decisions in the month of September. The October cycle will include a review period for the month of November, followed by decisions in December. You will always hear from us, whether your application is awarded or declined.
If you have a time-sensitive project that falls outside of our normal application cycle, please reach out to us to discuss your needs. For help filling out this application, or for questions regarding the DownRoot Fund or the Crossroads Community Fund, please contact us via email at [email protected] or phone at 716-799-4366.