Apply for 2025/26 Racial Justice Grant

The First United Methodist Church of San Diego is soliciting grant applications for its 2025 Racial Justice Grants Cycle. The Racial Justice Grants Committee will be recommending grants totaling at least $36,000 (up to $15,000 per grantee) for organizations that actively promote racial justice in San Diego County.

Grants will be awarded to organizations working in the following focus area: Addressing Basic Immediate Needs, including but not limited to Food, Clothing, and Emergency Shelter. 

All organizations applying must meet at least the Basic Eligibility requirements specified in the Grantmaking Criteria. Priority will be given to organizations meeting one or more of the Priority Eligibility criteria. 

Application Submission: To be considered for the 2025 Grant Cycle, all application materials must be received by July 31, 2025. Complete applications will include:

1. Completed grant application (this form)
2. Proof of 501c3 Tax-exempt status or fiscal sponsorship
3. Annual operating budget, or project budget if request funds for a specific project

Interviews with finalists will take place in September, and final funding determinations will be made by November.

Before you fill out the application below and submit, make sure you have read the grant application requirement carefully and have electronic copies of required documents available. Note that you will NOT be able to save this form and return to it, so we recommend you prepare your answers in a separate document, then cut and paste into the web form.

For any questions regarding the grants or applications, or if you would like to request a Word document to submit instead of the web form below, please contact:

Jason Tucker, Sr. Director of Stewardship and Development
First United Methodist Church of San Diego
2111 Camino Del Rio S
San Diego, CA 92108
jtucker@fumcsd.org | (619) 297-4366 x145

All organizations applying must meet at least the Basic Eligibility requirements specified below. Priority will be given to organizations meeting one or more of the Priority Eligibility criteria.

Organizations must meet all the following basic criteria to be considered for a grant from the Racial Justice Endowment Fund:

1. Provide data confirming at least 75% of those served are People of Color AND/OR engage in non-violent advocacy for specific local or state policy changes that directly benefit communities of color in San Diego County.
2. Be registered as or fiscally sponsored by a 501c3 organization located in the county of San Diego.
3. Have publicly available or be willing to share compelling evidence of success in meeting your established mission.
4. Agree to utilize all grant funds within 1 year of receipt.
5. Agree to provide a written narrative report (template to be supplied) of the use of grant funds within 1 year of receipt of funds.

Highest priority will be given to organizations also meeting the following criteria:

1. Have appointed a majority of People of Color and/or women to executive leadership roles and board of directors.
2. Include current service recipients, program alumni and/or community members in decision-making processes, either as board members, staff, or an advisory council.
3. Explicitly serve communities experiencing multiple, intersecting challenges and discrimination (i.e., LGBTQ People of Color, Indigenous Women, Disabled Latinx Veterans, etc.).
4. Have volunteer opportunities for First Church members to join in your work.
5. Be willing to have a representative from your organization share your work with our worshiping community.