Mennonite Mission Network offers an Anti-Racism Grant for individuals and organizations managed by Asian, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous or other People of Color groups who are engaged in peacebuilding, social justice and anti-racism efforts.
These four organizations were selected from the 95 applicants to receive the funding they requested:
- Back to Basics Community Empowerment, $10,000 (Los Angeles, California) for “California Sterilization Survivors Advocacy & Wellness Program” – Created by Back to the Basics Community Empowerment to address compulsory sterilizations performed by the state of California on incarcerated women.
- Roots of Justice, $12,500 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) for “Growth With The Times Project” – Roots of Justice advances anti-racism and anti-oppression efforts by empowering communities through education, organization, and renewal. This grant will directly support two critical initiatives: reducing the financial burden of our transformative trainings and launching a major campaign to update our curriculum.
- Mary’s House for Older Adults, $13,750 (Washington, D.C.) for “Creating anti-racist environments and allies for elders of color” – To continue inclusion, sensitivity, and education training as a part of their programming targeted to the broader community, including service providers and allies. Focus is on decreasing racism, sexism and homophobia and fostering an environment of equality, respect, and understanding.
- Women of Color on the Move, $13,750 (Sacramento, California) for “Breaking the Cycle: Anti-Racism and Community Healing” – To implement this new initiative designed to address the intersecting impacts of systemic racism, homelessness, opioid dependency, and domestic violence on women of color in our community. Focus is on education, advocacy, and healing to empower individuals and promote long-term racial equity and social justice.
“After reviewing numerous inspiring and impactful applications, our selection team was pleased to offer grant funds to these worthy organizations,” said Jason Ault, Mission Network Development Representative. “We are proud to support those who are leading efforts to combat racism, promote social justice, and create lasting change in our communities.”
The grant program is an acknowledgment of the historical and ongoing systemic disparities that disproportionately affect diverse communities and aims to empower those who are actively working to address and rectify these issues. These grants are particularly aimed at smaller nonprofits who are often overlooked and have trouble obtaining funding.
Applications for the anti-racism grant are accepted from October – January and are awarded annually in the spring.
- Eligibility: Organizations led by Asian, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous or other People of Color who are engaged in peace-building initiatives, conflict resolution, racial and social justice, community healing and related efforts are encouraged to apply. Only organizations that operate within the United States will be considered at this time. We hope to contribute to the mission of God by starting within our home communities.
- Application process: A simple online application must be submitted between October 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026.
- Grant amounts: Grants will be awarded based on the specific needs and impact potential of the applicant organizations, with varying award sizes to maximize the reach and effectiveness of the grants. A total of $50,000 will be available for distribution in 2026.
- Community outreach: Mission Network will actively engage with Asian, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous or other People of Color communities and organizations to ensure the program reaches those who need it most. This includes collaboration with community leaders, advocates and organizations.
- Evaluation and reporting: Grant recipients will be asked to provide a brief annual report, describing how the money was used thus enabling Mission Network to assess the impact of the grants and share success stories.
Mennonite Mission Network exists to lead, mobilize and equip the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world.
