Emergent Fund: Rapid Response Grants Supporting Grassroots Organizing in the U.S.

Are you part of a movement or frontline community responding to urgent and unexpected challenges? Do you need rapid funding to seize a critical moment for action? The Emergent Fund provides rolling, monthly grants to support grassroots organizations mobilizing for social and economic justice in rapidly changing conditions.

Grant Application Details

• Deadline: The 3rd Thursday of each month at 5:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM EST
  Note: The grant cycle pauses in December and August.
• Application Platform: Submit proposals via JustFund.
• Processing Time: Registration on JustFund requires 48 business hours for approval. Applicants should register as early as possible.
• Questions? Refer to JustFund’s Help Center or contact info@justfund.us.

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations must meet the following criteria to apply:

• Hold 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) tax status or have a fiscal sponsor.
• Engage in grassroots organizing that addresses time-sensitive challenges and builds community power.
• Operate within the United States or U.S. territories.
• Focus on systemic change, movement-building, and advocacy.

Ineligible Applications:

• Annual or repeated funding requests for general operating support.
• Government agencies, universities, or religious institutions.
• Charity, direct service programs, or international projects.
• For-profit businesses, startups, or capital-raising campaigns.
• Individuals (activists, consultants) or projects that lack a clear power analysis.

Funding Priorities

Our grants support emergent strategies that empower communities to:

• Respond to urgent threats and shifting political conditions.
• Leverage pivotal moments to drive social and economic justice.
• Dismantle oppressive systems and advance collective liberation.

We prioritize time-sensitive, community-led, and intersectional organizing efforts with strong movement relationships and limited access to traditional funding. Most grantees operate with budgets under $100,000 and may be new to philanthropy.

Advisory Council Considerations

When reviewing applications, the Advisory Council assesses:

• Emergent & Trusted Organizing – New, impactful solutions responding to urgent needs.
• Time-Sensitivity – Immediate action required due to a crisis or opportunity.
• Visionary Power-Building – Structural transformation rooted in justice and leadership development.
• Directly-Impacted Leadership – Led by and for the communities they serve.
• Intersectional Analysis – Multi-racial and cross-identity alliance building.
• Trusted Movement Relationships – Recommendations from movement leaders and grantees.
• Access to Resources – Preference for grassroots organizations with limited funding opportunities.

More Information

To learn more, please visit here.