Building a More Just and Sustainable Outdoor and Environmental Movement Together
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-led organizations are on the frontlines of the grassroots work being done to build a better planet but our work is chronically overlooked and underfunded. We know that when our voices are left out, our communities suffer, and our planet does too. With the Liberated Paths Program, we envision a way to bridge that gap. We can’t wait to see what lies ahead for the outdoor movement. Will you join us?
The outdoor and environmental movement has an equity problem.
For decades, systemic racism has determined who is welcome in outdoor spaces and whose experiences and voices are valued. It’s time for that to change — for the ones who are affected most by this work to be the ones leading it.
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-led organizations are:
- Funded at lower rates and face barriers to growth.
- Have seen low and stagnant funding even while their communities and needs grow.
- Have lower access to unrestricted funds and smaller operating reserves.
- Do not see their communities reflected within funding organizations.
The Liberated Paths approach
The Liberated Paths Grantmaking Program aims to shift resources to and build power with Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color. We work to embody a new model of philanthropy built on the foundation of trusting relationships.
Liberated Paths support looks like:
- Relationship-driven and trust-based support.
- Multi-year grants ($20,000 per year or less) when possible.
- Long-term, deep engagement in financial, operational and fundraising capacity building.
- Network building with a cohort of grantees to facilitate shared learning and systems-level changes.
- Eligibility that is not hinged on organization size, ability to do impact reporting or 501(c)(3) status.
- Support for organizations and initiatives of all sizes and in all stages of their development.
- Prioritized funding for organizations and initiatives led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Join us!
At Justice Outside, transformative work is nothing new for us. We have seen firsthand how community-led organizations can effect change if given the resources and trusting support they need — and we hope you’ll join us to help make the vision a reality.
We invite you to become one of our first round investors. Please contact Robert Sindelar at robert@justiceoutside.org for more information.
The featured photo at the top of this page depicts grantee partner organization Black Surf Club Santa Cruz.