Somerville Launches Racial And Social Justice Grant Program

SOMERVILLE, MA — The city has opened its first RSJ Fund Public Grants round, a new micro-grant program aimed at supporting local racial and social justice work. Mayor Jake Wilson and the Department of Racial and Social Justice announced the program last week that will accept applications from Friday, May 1, through Friday, May 29.

During the pilot round, the city will make up to $100,000 available for community programming grants. Individual awards will range from $250 to $9,999. The fund is open to Somerville residents, local advocates, and service providers. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and live or work in Somerville.

“Somerville doesn’t work without community builders, and those community builders can’t work without resources,” Wilson said. “The RSJ Fund public grants are about making sure our people have real resources to match their vision.”

According to the city, projects must align with Somerville’s racial and social justice goals and address at least one of three focus areas: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Community Engagement, or Education and Trainings. Examples include mentorship programs, cultural showcases, accessibility audits, neighborhood resource guides, youth-led campaigns, tenant rights workshops, civic participation trainings, and restorative justice programming.

“This fund exists because we know that some of the most powerful ideas for change come from people who are already doing the work right here in our neighborhoods,” Interim RSJ Director Catherine Nakato said. “This is an opportunity to close the gap in how projects are financed. We’re excited to invest in ideas and people in a real, tangible way, and we encourage anyone to apply.”

Applications must include a brief project concept, the applicant’s connection to Somerville, a proposed timeline, and an overview of how grant money would be used. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 29 at 11:59 p.m. Applications are being accepted online now.

The grants will reportedly be paid on a reimbursement basis. Partial reimbursements may be requested while a project is underway, and applicants may also request payments to third-party vendors for project expenses. A final reimbursement, typically no less than 30 percent of the award, will be made after the project is completed as proposed and a final report is submitted.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of city staff and community members appointed by the mayor’s office.

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