Dear UUFC Members and Friends: There is so much happening around us in these tumultuous times. For those who are mourning our hearts and prayers are with you. Though the pandemic has caused us to be apart and to pause our normal activities, it has also shed light on how very real racism, sexism and other social ills are; it has unmasked our ideas of a colorblind melting-pot society. We as a congregation are very much engaged in the work of serving the poor, sick and houseless and we should be proud of this work.
Though we serve many, we have the capacity to serve more and to steer our giving and service toward specific acts that support the elimination of racism and classism, that shape our world view and that of others so that we might truly step into living our First Principle to honor the inherent worth and dignity of everyone.
To support our capacity to serve more the UUFC’s Charitable and Educational Fund for Social Justice, most often referred to as the Justice Outreach Fund, was developed in 2014 to provide grants of up to $5,000 to high-impact projects aimed at seeding social, economic, racial, environmental and other kinds of justice. Proposed projects should create tangible shifts and/or systematic actions to current injustices.
The Justice Outreach Fund Committee stewards this fund and is looking for projects that support the UU principles and following three outcomes:
1. Changing how people are thinking and talking about an issue.
2. Engaging people and communities in civic action.
3. Developing or changing public or corporate policy.
Past grants include funding for a 2017 joint retreat of the Fellowship Care and Support Team and the Climate Justice Committee to support climate activists; for a 2018 interfaith workshop on racism and implicit bias hosted by the UUFC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force; and for the creation of Unity Shelter in 2020.
If you have questions, or projects to propose please contact Virgil Agnew at agnewv@gmail.com
The application form will be posted here soon.
Applications are reviewed three times a year; due dates are Jan. 31, April 30, and September 30. Applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the need or event.
We look forward to working together towards a more just and equitable future. If you are interested in being a part of the work of the Justice Outreach Fund Committee, contact Virgil Agnew.
