Organizing Grants
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Long-term grants for school and community partnerships
Overview
Grant amount
Award
$75,000 will be awarded to the partnering community organization
Led by
A base building community organization and the CTA local union
Impact
Grants will be awarded for a two-year period
Purpose
Our most vulnerable students and the communities that our public schools serve are increasingly targeted and at risk of being left behind. The fight for educational justice requires local labor unions and community organizations coming together in partnership.
To help fulfill this need, the CTA Institute for Teaching (IFT) Organizer Grants will direct resources to building powerful and sustainable partnerships across the state of California to fight for educational equity. Selected partnerships will receive comprehensive support in the form of coaching and training along with funding for partnering community organizations to increase staffing capacity dedicated to growing and/or maintaining a base of students, families and community members ready to fight for our students and public schools.
Grants will be awarded for a two-year period, with $75,000 allocated each year. Funding will go directly to the partnering community organizing organization, not to the local chapter.
This project is in its pilot phase, and no more than five community organizing grants will be awarded during this cycle.
Eligibility
All applications for this grant must be submitted jointly by the base building community organization and the CTA local union.
Eligibility requirements
Partners have previously worked together on joint actions or other organizing activities.
Partners have created a joint strategic campaign outline and plan to organize the campaign together to meet shared goals.
Grant funds may not be used to participate in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office, or to otherwise influence the outcome of any specific public election, including ballot initiatives.
CTA local requirements
CTA locals must have demonstrated commitment from leadership to work in partnership with a community organization.
CTA locals must have internal organizing structures and strong member engagement.
The local chapter’s assigned CTA Primary Contact Staff must also sign-off on the grant application.
Community organization requirements
Community organizing partners must have demonstrated commitment to work in partnership with the local union.
Community organizing partners must have a base building organizing model, an active membership, organizing capacity in impacted communities, and successful organizing experience.
