In an ambitious move to rectify past wrongs and champion equality, the County of San Diego is pouring $2 million into the fight against racial and systemic inequities. Announced today by the County of San Diego, the Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) unveils the Equity Impact Grant (EIG) program, focusing on small, grassroots organizations in dire need of funding and operational support.
The County’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice has launched a new initiative that will invest $2 million over two years into community-driven initiatives that address inequity. https://t.co/lNPo2MUums
— SanDiegoCounty (@SanDiegoCounty) December 11, 2023
Since its establishment in 2020, OERJ has made strides in its quest to eradicate the determining role of race in life outcomes. They've engaged in numerous listening sessions, culminating in a distinctive call to action: bolster minority-led initiatives that traditionally face hurdles in securing government and philanthropic support. "The EIG program was created to invest in community-driven efforts while complementing the strengths, expertise, and cultural wisdom that many BIPOC-led and-centered organizations possess to reduce inequity across sectors and systems within the County," Andrew Strong, director of OERJ, said in a statement obtained by County News Center.
Partnering with The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego, the EIG program is not merely a cash handout. It embodies a comprehensive package, including $100,000 in grants, complemented by specialized workshops and coaching. Leadership, social change, and innovation are on the curriculum, designed to empower recipient organizations over a two-year period.
This targeted approach places a spotlight on organizations with under five employees and an annual budget south of $500,000. The program lays out specific focus areas: education, youth empowerment, civic engagement, arts, housing, restorative justice, health, wealth building, workforce development, food systems, and environmental justice. The ambitious initiative stretches its arms wide, aiming to address wrenching inequities head-on across various sectors within San Diego.
Applications for the EIG program are open today through January 26, 2024. The county is set to roll out the red carpet for the first beneficiaries by early March after a deliberation period. Interested organizations are encouraged to attend information sessions hosted by OERJ and NPI, scheduled for January. All details and application procedures can be found on the Equity Impact Grant program page.
