Somos Comunidad Fund
Somos Comunidad Fund, led by community volunteers, was established to support Latinx focused and driven initiatives. Informed by Latinx communities in Kent County, the advisory committee strives to create an adaptable approach to balance support for immediate needs while addressing root causes of inequity. Support this cause today by contributing to Somos Comunidad Fund. Your gift will support the fund's endowment, as well as provide resources for immediate grantmaking. This ensures your giving will help now and in the future.
2024 Grant Partnerships
Somos Comunidad Fund accepted applications for funding from community organizations through October 28, 2024. $100,000 was awarded for programming that serves Latinx communities. Detailed information about focus areas for these funds, eligibility criteria, and the application process are in our grant guidelines.
In this virtual session, we will share more about our latest grantmaking decision process, share grant award recipients and provide an opportunity for your feedback to inform future grantmaking and how we can best show up in community. This event is open to anyone in the community, you do not have to be a grant recipient or applicant to attend. Click to register.
In our Grant Application Guidelines you can read about eligibility, timeline and the application questions. Click here to read.
On October 7 we hosted an informational session about the grant application and how community listening informed our current grantmaking process, you can view those sessions below. Viewing the session is not a requirement to apply.
2024 Grantmaking Timeline
On October 7 we hosted an informational session about the grant application and how community listening informed our current grantmaking process, you can view those sessions below. Viewing the session is not a requirement to apply.
Somos Comunidad Fund grant applications closed on October 28, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Somos Comunidad Fund's advisory committee reviewed all grant applications and may have requested additional information from applicants while they made decisions about grant awards.
All applicants will be notified about funding decisions the week of December 9, 2024.
In this virtual session, we will share more about our latest grantmaking decision process, share grant award recipients and provide an opportunity for your feedback to inform future grantmaking and how we can best show up in community.
2023 Grant Awards
Amount
Date
Purpose
$9,725
This grant supports the running of an afterschool programming club for middle and high school students. The club aims to expose students to technology, game programming, and game asset creation, and provide a fun and engaging way for them to learn about these subjects. This grant was made possible through additional support from the Cherry (Mrs. James) Carpenter Fund for Children.
$15,000
To provide mutual aid and direct giving support to Latinidad communities, especially those who are under-documented.
$10,000
To support Latinx youth in bilingual settings in our three core after school programs: After School Arts, Cook Library After School, and Teen Leaders
$15,000
To remove barriers for Latino community including language, documentation status, etc. to create access to legal services and basic needs.
$10,000
Provide equitable, accessible, and professional reduced-fee legal services to vulnerable populations in immigration with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the National Visa Center.
$10,000
Cosecha GR will acquire a large reliable community vehicle to safely transport members and materials to events and it will display the Cosecha campaign theme.
$9,000
To build organizational capacity and enhance delivery of culturally responsive programming by offering stipends to bilingual Latina/o/é/x youth practice leaders. This grant was made possible through additional support from the Cherry (Mrs. James) Carpenter Fund for Children.
$15,000
Latinx Youth Program - Using a combination of support groups, counseling, and community activities, the program seeks to support children who have experienced violence heal from their trauma.
$10,000
The Puerto Rican Cultural Committee has been providing cultural and educational experiences for the Puerto Rican community and its allies since 2014. This grant was made possible through additional support from the Charles Evenson Fund for the Environment.
2023 Grant Awards
Somos Comunidad Fund accepted applications for funding from community organizations that serve Latinx communities in Kent County for their 2022 grant round. Learn more about the factors that influenced their grant process and decision making.
In our Grant Application Guidelines you can read about eligibility, timeline and the application questions. Click here to view. ¿Prefieres leer esto en español? Haga clic aquí.
See an infographic, artistic demonstration of the feedback given at the community engagement sessions. Click here to view.
Our 2022 grantmaking process and priorities were informed by feedback gathered at community engagement sessions. Brigham Consulting detailed the process and themes from those sessions. See the whole report here.
On November 9 we hosted an informational session about the grant application and how community listening informed our current grantmaking process, you can view those sessions below. Viewing the session is not a requirement to apply.
Info
Session in English: view here
Info Session in Spanish: view here
After grant awards were announced, the committee hosted a community debrief session. During this session, staff and volunteers explained the process, the award decisions and invited feedback about the process. Read a summary by clicking here.
I am looking forward to two to three decades from now, when people will look at this as the beginning of a different way of doing philanthropy.
Carlos Sanchez, former Somos Comunidad Advisory Committee chairperson
Somos Comunidad Fund Donors July 1st, 2022-June 30th, 2023
