📅 LOI Deadline: August 28, 2026
The Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund has opened applications for its fourth annual round of funding, offering three grants of $100,000 annually for three years to collaborations between Oakland-based cultural and social change organizations serving BIPOC communities.
The funding will ensure that artists, culture bearers, and organizers can work side-by-side to ensure a transformative future for Oakland.
Why This Grant Matters
Belonging in Oakland believes that transformative change happens when artists and organizers work side by side. Since its launch in spring 2020, the fund has supported cultural practitioners working to reframe crises as opportunities to imagine a more equitable and just Oakland.
Past grantees have:
- Uplifted Oakland immigrants who are currently or formerly incarcerated
- Promoted equity and community-led development in Oakland Chinatown
- Worked toward a robust and vibrant future for local Black cultural hubs
As Debrah Giles, EBCF Senior Program Director, noted: “We’ve seen firsthand how pairing cultural practitioners with social change organizations can shift narratives, as well as the actual policies and systems that shape people’s lives.”
What the Grant Offers
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant Amount | $100,000 annually for three years (total $300,000 per collaboration) |
| Artist Stipends | $12,000 annual living stipend for artists and cultural practitioners |
| Documentation Support | $25,000 allocation for documenting the collaboration |
| Focus | Collaborations between cultural and social change organizations serving BIPOC communities in Oakland |
Who Should Apply
The Fund seeks creative, mutually beneficial, and equitable collaborations working to build pathways to a more just Oakland. Successful proposals will challenge outdated, racialized narratives and test new ways of sharing power.
Eligibility Requirements
- Lead applicant must have 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status, or a fiscal sponsor in good standing with the IRS
- Must be either:
- A cultural organization that collaborates with civically oriented artists and cultural practitioners, OR
- A social change organization
- Operating budget of $500,000 or more
Application Process
Two-Step Process
- Letter of Interest (LOI) – Submit by August 28, 2026
- General organizational information
- Financials for the most recently completed year
- A work sample demonstrating policy change efforts
- Full Proposal – Up to 10 applicants will be invited to submit
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| How-to-Apply Webinar | August 12, 2026 (11 AM – 1 PM PT) |
| LOI Deadline | August 28, 2026 at 5 PM PT |
| Awards Announced | Late October 2026 |
Pro Tips for a Strong Application
- Attend the webinar – Attendance is strongly encouraged for all prospective applicants
- Review the Eligibility and Application Instructions on the Fund’s website
- Demonstrate a clear partnership between cultural and social change organizations
- Show how your collaboration will challenge racialized narratives and test new ways of sharing power
- Be specific about your policy change efforts – include a strong work sample
Contact Information
Email: justcityfund@eastbaycf.org
Web: Belonging in Oakland webpage
How Earth Focus Network Supports Changemakers
At Earth Focus Network, we believe that environmental and social change is a collective movement. We connect nonprofits, artists, organizers, and changemakers with the funding, partnerships, and resources they need to succeed.
What We Offer Our Members
- Exclusive Funding Alerts – Be the first to know about grants like Belonging in Oakland
- Vetted Opportunities – We vet every opportunity to ensure legitimacy and alignment with social impact
- Global Connections – Connect with organizations, funders, and fellow changemakers
- Visibility – Showcase your work to a global audience of stakeholders
📢 Join Earth Focus Network – Be the First to Know
Don’t miss out on funding opportunities like this. Members who join today get immediate access to our curated opportunities board, smart matching, and global network.
How to Join:
- Join Our Community – Connect with fellow changemakers
- Create Your Account – Set up your professional profile
- Apply for Vetting – Join a trusted, high-impact community
- Make Your Contribution – Support reforestation and community projects
- Book Your 1:1 Matching Session – Get personalized connections
Be Part of the Movement
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