A small child with an afro wearing a blue coat and yellow boots sits near a body of water. They are holding a stick and pointing at the water with it.

#startsmall Initiative Grants $500,000 to Justice Outside to Support Girls Health and Education Through the Outdoors

by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Media Contact: Communications team at media@justiceoutside.org

OAKLAND, CA—Today, Justice Outside, which works to advance racial justice and equity in the outdoor and environmental movement, announced that the organization has received a $500,000 grant from #startsmall, Jack Dorsey’s philanthropic initiative.

The grant will support Justice Outside’s Liberated Paths grantmaking program which builds power with and amplifies community-led efforts at the intersection of girls education and health and the outdoors, with an emphasis on Black, Indigenous, and girls of Color. 

“We’re thrilled to be a bridge that brings resources to our community here in the Bay Area and beyond to ensure girls have the opportunity to be in nature, develop as leaders, and benefit from a deep and authentic relationship with the outdoors. This is essential not only for their health and well-being, but also for ensuring girls are surrounded by supportive communities throughout their formative years,” said Rena Payan, Director of Grantmaking at Justice Outside. 

Justice Outside will use this funding specifically to support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-led grantee partners focused on girls’ health and education. The organization will work with partner organizations including Brown Girl Surf, GirlVentures, Radical Monarchs, Atabey Outdoors, Southern Arizona Gender Alliance, Trail Mixed Collective, Black Girls Hike Too!, Oshun Swim School and others  centering girls and non-binary youth of color in their work. 

Since 2013, Justice Outside has distributed $20 million to more than 200 community-led organizations working at the intersection of the outdoors, environment, and racial justice. In 2022, 91 percent of the organizations supported by Justice Outside were led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

###

Justice Outside advances racial justice and equity in the outdoor and environmental movement. We shift resources to, build power with, and center the voices and leadership of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color because the health of current and future generations demands it. For press inquiries, please contact our communications team at media@justiceoutside.org. For inquiries about Liberated Paths, please contact Rena Payan at rena@justiceoutside.org.