Organizing Across Differences

photo by Nick Fewings l Unsplash

“The whole point of collaboration is that you give and take from each other, and that's how you create things that are totally new.” 

—Virgil Abloh.

Organizing Across Differences

by Tiona Moore, The Ripple Foundation

Our ability to organize across differences is a unique superpower in which we exercise curiosity and share values, goals, and purpose. These superpowers consist of the ability to engage and foster relationships with a mindset and narrative change focused on collaboration and areas of synergy. Rather than allow our differences to be at the epicenter of our discussion, the goal is to amplify what we have in common through the development of open dialogue.

Today's anniversary of an attempted insurrection, led by self-proclaimed white extremists with a narrow view of America, resulted in the deepened erasure of our racial differences. This moment resurfaced the many realities of America’s troubled racial history and we must now attempt to rededicate ourselves to never let hate and division prevail. 

Tools for bridging differences

Brightspots

Increasing the ability of individuals to belong across all constituencies

IMAGINE FOX CITIES

In October 2019, Imagine Fox Cities (IFC), a visioning initiative focused on enhancing the well-being of folks in the region, held its first convening of more than 300 stakeholders from various sectors around the area. Throughout the day, across all discussions, one theme was central: the importance of belonging. As a result, the members of the IFC committee decided to make the promotion of belonging in the Fox Cities an initial focus of its work. This page is intended to provide information about the group’s work in this regard and more importantly, share information about how you can help to make our region a more inclusive place in which everyone who lives and works in the Fox Cities feels they belong. We hope you will join us in this important work!

Articles for reflection

Join the Conversation

“The Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge has released a NEW health equity tool. This resource features six interactive stories that highlight the approaches and impacts of 20 communities across the nation working to improve access to food and health services. Learn more about their collaborative, community-led strategies and how you can adapt these approaches to systems change to fit your community context.”

Upcoming events

Funding Opportunities

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation

Type: Foundation

Due Date:  Rolling

Match Required: No Cost Share

Overview: The Ben & Jerry Foundation’s National Grassroots Organizing Program offers two-year flexible, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year, with an average grant size of $20,000 per year, to small, non-profit grassroots constituent-led organizations throughout the United States and its territories and that are not located in the state of Vermont.

New York Life Foundation (NYLF) and Afterschool Alliance: Aim High: Supporting Out-of-School Time Programs Serving Middle School Youth

Type: Foundation

Due Date: February 1, 2023

Match Required: No Cost Share

Overview: TThe purpose of this program is to support and bolster the ability of nonprofit after-school and summer learning programs to help prepare middle school students for success in high school, college, and life. For the purpose of this program, middle school youth are defined as students in grades six, seven, and eight. Supported projects must serve a high percentage, at least 75 percent, of low-income youth, who are defined as students who qualify for the Federal Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program (FRPL).

North Carolina Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission: Livin' the Dream Grant (North Carolina ONLY)

Type: State Funding

Due Date:  January 19, 2023

Match Required: No Cost Share

Overview: The purpose of this program is to increase the capacity and impact of Black- or Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color (BIPOC)-led, grassroots organizations based in North Carolina that advance the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The funding agency works to promote an awareness and appreciation of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Examples of eligible costs include:

• Grant writing costs
• Computers
• Other equipment
• Leadership training
• Web development
• Graphic design
• Organizational development
• Staff development
• Speakers and facilitators
• Filing the organization as an entity with the North Carolina Secretary of State (NCSOS) and establishing a 501(c)(3) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• Needs assessments and feasibility studies