OVERVIEW: The Solidago Foundation works to “elevate voice and build leadership” worldwide, with a focus on the environment, civic engagement, and economic opportunity. It supports efforts to combat the effect of climate change on poor and minority communities, funds community organizing and workers’ advocacy organizations, and works to advance economic opportunity and workers’ rights in order to effect significant change around the world.
IP TAKE: This funder does not have a clear application process, but it welcomes interested grantseekers to get in touch by email. Solidago seems to value inter-agency collaboration and proactive leadership, so groups that are willing to reach out and make contact may see their efforts rewarded. It was going to wind down its grantmaking, but changed course for now, so check back often. To attract this funder’s attention, make sure your work aligns with racial justice and equity no matter the field in which you work.
PROFILE: Joseph Rosenmiller earned his wealth building a chain of radio stations. Throughout his life, Joseph Rosenmiller gave generously to “[c]auses he felt traditional philanthropies largely ignored.” In 1994, he sold his stake in the radio business and, with his son David, established the Solidago Foundation with the goal of distributing the entirety of its endowment by 2020. However, it has recently made the decision to extend and expand its grantmaking, as “the need for nimble progressive philanthropy is greater than ever.” Solidago, the Latin name for the goldenrod plant, means “to make whole,” and the foundation pursues this philosophy by promoting “collaborative and creative approaches to deep-rooted injustices which keep communities from accessing power, wealth, and safe working and living conditions.” Its main program areas are Climate & Environmental Justice, Inclusive Economy, Resource Generation, and Worker Voice.
Grants for Climate Change and Environmental Justice
Solidago’s Climate & Environmental Justice grantmaking “operates at the nexus of racial justice and democracy.” Because “poor and minority communities are most impacted by climate change,” the foundation helps “community-based organizations and funders build strategies and capacities to connect people to their power” in order to “leverage that power by crafting policy and giving voice to their fight for safe and healthy environments.” While its climate change program does not specify what kinds of projects it supports, projects must emphasize climate change’s relationship to racial justice and inequality to secure funding. Grantees include the California Environmental Justice Alliance, Climate Justice Alliance, and Indigenous Environmental Network.
Grants for Economic Opportunity and Inclusion
Solidago’s Inclusive Economy grantmaking supports efforts to promote a “sustainable local economy” by making connections between “mission-first impact investors and those least served by capital markets” and helping “co-create systems to redress this systemic wealth divide.” The foundation has helped launch “community capital funds to provide people typically excluded from the process, with a degree of financial autonomy.” The Worker Voice program helps “workers across sectors and at the intersections of gender, race and cultural identity” organize in order to “catalyze bold experimentation, build capacity, and support the social justice infrastructure needed to end economic inequality.” Current partners include Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, Center for Economic Democracy, and National Day Laborer Organizing Network.
Grants for Democracy and Civic Engagement
Solidago conducts some of its civic engagement-related grantmaking through its Worker Voice program, which helps “workers across sectors and at the intersections of gender, race and cultural identity” organize in order to “catalyze bold experimentation, build capacity, and support the social justice infrastructure needed to end economic inequality.” The foundation also supports Resource Generation efforts for “people-of-color-led civic engagement and worker organizations” to create a democracy that “serves the most vulnerable.” This generally consists of capacity building grants and other financial or human resources for local, grassroots groups. Grantees include Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, Center for Economic Democracy, and National Day Laborer Organizing Network.
Important Grant Details:
Grants generally range from $5,000 to $50,000. Grantseekers may review the foundation’s current partners for more information on the type of work it supports. Note that Solidago’s grantmaking is generally geared toward leadership development and capacity building for grassroots groups. In addition to aligning with the foundation’s focus areas, grantseekers should emphasize their plans for growth and lasting change.
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The Solidago Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, but it welcomes organizations interested in partnership to get in touch.
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