Program areas at Headwaters Foundation for Justice
Black seed fellowship: the black seed fellowship is a new strategy for building long-term political power and infrastructure in Minnesota. It is our first initiative coming out of our black movement ecosystem program (bme). By investing deeply in women and femme organizers from diverse backgrounds, Headwaters helps fellows develop a series of retreats to provide healing and reconciliation sessions; visioning sessions to build organizing unity and political alignment; and a work-into-action session to plan and execute a collaborative campaign. In fiscal year 2022, bme program awarded $550,000 to 17 organizations.
The giving project grant program: since 2015, this program invests in organizations that are led by and for black people, indigenous people, and people of color (bipoc) that also use a community organizing approach to address root causes of injustice. During fiscal year 2022, a cross-class, multiracial cohort of community members managed the giving project grantmaking process. The cohort raised money from their networks and led the grantmaking process; they awarded $510,000 in 17 general operating grants
Donor advised funds: this program enables individual donors to advance their philanthropic goals and direct resources to social change groups locally and nationally. Development staff educates donors about social injustice issues, connects them to organizations that match their interests, and provides grantmaking assistance. In fiscal year 2022, Headwaters allocated $1,145,600 to 99 organizations. (includes grants of $244,446 awarded to Headwaters).
The fund of the sacred circle: according to native americans in philanthropy, foundations invest less than half of one percent of grant dollars in native communities. Headwaters works to address this imbalance through the fund of the sacred circle program (fsc). Grants supports Minnesota- and wisconsin-based native american organizations that address systemic injustices. General operating grants supports work that focuses on language and cultural revitalization; land and environmental restoration; sovereignty and treaty rights; and self-determination and civil rights. In fiscal year 2022, fsc program awarded $760,000 to 19 organizations.
The community innovation grants program (cig): this is a longtime partnership with the bush Foundation. Grants support communities to use problem solving processes that lead to more effective, equitable, and sustainable solutions. This project-specific grant allows organizations to increase collective understanding of an issue, generate ideas, and/or test and implement solutions. In fiscal year 2022 cig program awarded $404,188 to 17 organizations
Rapid response grantmaking: in fiscal year 2022, our rapid response grantmaking program awarded $174,500 to eight organizations.
Other programs: Headwaters has additional programming that includes support beyond the dollars, native strategies, and general programmatic work to support the mission and values of advancing equity, demanding inclusion, transforming power, and trusting the community.