This week, the I Am Trenton (IAT) Community Foundation launched a citywide grant cycle supporting local projects addressing equity, social justice and COVID-19 resiliency.

“This year has laid bare a lot of structural issues in our society and our region, and reaffirmed our commitment to investing in those with lived experience of those issues,” said IAT Board President Raj Manimaran.

Applicants may request up to $5,000. Projects activities should occur between March 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022. The deadline for applications is January 15, 2021. Awards will be announced in February 2021. The applications available now on the I Am Trenton website: https://www.iamtrenton.org/citywide

Keeping with IAT’s goal to become more inclusive, applications may be submitted in Spanish, as well as English. Applicants also have the option of submitting Project Details as a short essay or as a short video. Evaluators will prioritize projects designed and led by Trenton residents, people of color and people with lived experience of the issue the project is addressing.

Applications will be accepted in the three following categories:

  • Equity and Social Justice: Initiatives that address an equity or social justice problem, organize those affected, challenge the causes, bring new awareness, cause discomfort and/or create pressure for change.
  • COVID-19 Resiliency: Initiatives that improve organizations or communities’ ability to deal with disruptions like the pandemic, or with the disparate impact the pandemic has caused within Trenton compared to the region.
  • Community Improvement: Projects that improve a specific issue or challenge in the applicant’s community.

Applicants are encouraged to attend one of two virtual pre-application workshops that will provide additional information and an opportunity to ask questions. The workshops are set to be held on Tuesday December 8, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. or Saturday, January 9, 2021, 11:00 a.m. Applicants must register.

This 2020 Citywide Grant cycle includes $25,000 in funding from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

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