ETOLIA ANNOUNCES 15 SMALL GRANTS ACROSS 6 STATES TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS CREATING MORE JUST AND CREATIVE COMMUNITIES
19 MAY 2023
The Etolia Fund is thrilled to announce its inaugural round of small grants. The grants, totaling $22,600, have been allocated to more than a dozen innovative organizations and institutions that embody the fund’s core vision and values of investing in those creating stronger and more just communities. Organizations receiving grants from Etolia in its first cycle serve populations in Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Several of the organizations’ work have national impact as well.
Founded in 2022, The Etolia Fund is committed to investing in movements and organizations that might not yet have widespread recognition. Instead of supporting large organizations already primarily backed by major donors, Etolia believes in supporting emerging leaders, organizations, and institutions who are making a profound (and outsized) impact in their local, state, and regional communities.
The Etolia Fund's first round of grantees includes organizations whose work addresses a diverse range of pressing issues, including sustainability and environmental justice; public service and leadership development; civil, human, and LGBTQ+ rights; criminal legal system reform; economic justice; and the performing arts.
"We are incredibly excited to announce the inaugural round of grants from The Etolia Fund, which will support a diverse group of innovative organizations and institutions that are truly making a difference in their communities," said Kindred Motes-Caso and Dr. Raúl Caso-Motes, co-founders and managing fund advisors of The Etolia Fund. "We are proud to support these emerging leaders and organizations as they work towards creating more just, informed, engaged, and creative communities."
The grantees are:
Energy Alabama (Huntsville, AL) - Energy Alabama promotes clean, sustainable energy solutions and advocates for a transition to renewable sources in the state, fostering a greener and more environmentally conscious future. [$1,000]
Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network (Ashville, AL) - The Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network supports local farmers and promotes sustainable farming practices, connecting communities with healthy, locally sourced food while preserving the environment. [$1,000]
Johnson Service Corps (Durham, NC) - Johnson Service Corps engages young adults in a year-long service program that combines community service, social justice education, and personal development, empowering them to create positive change in their communities. [$1,500]
We Are Family (Charleston, SC) - We Are Family provides support and resources to LGBTQ+ youth, fostering a safe and inclusive environment where they can find acceptance, empowerment, and a sense of community. [$750]
Son of a Saint (New Orleans, LA) - Son of a Saint provides mentorship, educational support, and enrichment opportunities for young boys who have lost their fathers to violence or incarceration, helping them become successful and self-sufficient men. [$1,000]
Magic City Acceptance Center and Magic City Acceptance Academy (Birmingham, AL) - The Magic City Acceptance Center offers a safe space and comprehensive support services for LGBTQ+ youth, promoting their well-being, empowerment, and self-acceptance. The Magic City Acceptance Academy provides a specialized education program that fosters academic achievement, personal growth, and emotional support for LGBTQ+ students, creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment. [$1,500]
Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network [FICGN] (Durham, NC) - FICGN supports formerly incarcerated individuals in pursuing higher education and provides resources and advocacy to ensure their successful transition to college life and beyond. [$1,000]
Princess Theater Center for the Performing Arts (Decatur, AL) - The Princess Theater Center for the Performing Arts serves as a cultural hub, offering a diverse range of performing arts events, educational programs, and community engagement opportunities for residents of Morgan, Madison, Lawrence, and Limestone Counties. [$1,000]
ACLU of Alabama (Montgomery, AL) - The ACLU of Alabama defends and protects civil liberties and civil rights through legal advocacy, public education, and grassroots organizing, working to ensure justice and equality for all Alabamians. [$3,500]
Alabama Forward (Birmingham, AL) - Alabama Forward is a grassroots organization dedicated to social and economic justice, advocating for progressive policies and systemic change to create a more equitable and inclusive Alabama. [$750]
Birmingham-Southern College (Birmingham, AL) - Birmingham-Southern College is a liberal arts institution that provides a transformative educational experience, fostering intellectual growth, personal development, and civic engagement in its students. [$850]
Grantmakers for Southern Progress (East Point, GA) - Grantmakers for Southern Progress is a network of philanthropic organizations dedicated to advancing social and economic justice in the Southern United States by supporting and funding initiatives that address systemic inequalities. [$8,500]
ACLU of Iowa (Des Moines, IA) - The ACLU of Iowa is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting individual rights and civil liberties through litigation, advocacy, and education, fighting for a more inclusive and equitable society in Iowa. [$250]
One Iowa (Des Moines, IA) - One Iowa is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing equality for LGBTQ+ individuals in Iowa through advocacy, education, and community building, striving to create a state where everyone can live authentically and with dignity. [$250]
The More Up Campus (Montgomery, AL) - The More Up Campus in Montgomery, Alabama, is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to honoring the enslaved women, Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey, who were experimental subjects of Alabama doctor J. Marion Sims. The "Mothers of Gynecology" monument serves as a starting point for teaching the true story of the nation and confronting past injustices. The campus includes a Health and Wellness Museum and Clinic, a Creative Changemakers Museum, and a Travel Center, inspiring activism and education. [$750]