Helping Chicago Youth Find Their Voice
Urban Gateways engages young people in art experiences to inspire creativity and impact social change. Street Level, Urban Gateways’ Multimedia Arts program, uses video and audio production, digital arts, and the internet to engage young people, who have been historically underrepresented in mass media, in art- and technology-driven activities. With support from Voqal, Street Level
Changing the Face of Midwest Filmmaking
Sparking democracy through documentary, Kartemquin is a collaborative community that empowers documentary makers who create stories that foster a more engaged and just society. Kartemquin focuses on people whose lives are most directly affected by social and political change and who are often overlooked or misrepresented by the media. Thanks in part to support from
New Latino Movement Engages Community in Political Advocacy
Latino Network Action Fund is a leading advocacy community-based organization advancing policy solutions to support current and historically underserved communities in areas such as education, immigration, and criminal justice reform. With support from Voqal, Latino Network Action Fund expanded its capacity to advocate for Latino community priorities and help engage voters directly in their democracy.
Creating Greater Racial Equity in Oregon’s Political System
The Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) is a statewide, grassroots organization, uniting Asians and Pacific Islanders to achieve social justice. It uses its collective strengths to advance equity through empowering, organizing, and advocating with its communities. Thanks in part to support from Voqal, APANO advanced racial equity in politics by empowering Oregon’s
It’s Not All Bad: Grantmaking Opportunities During the Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has created an uncertain future for many in the nonprofit community. Below, Mary Coleman shares some thoughts from Voqal’s grant team on how funders can best help organizations adapt to the changing times. When we rang in 2020, many of us had one thing on our mind: November 3. However, the recent
Helpful Resources for Nonprofit and Social Enterprises During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As the country adapts to the unique circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofits are being faced with new challenges as they continue their important work. Fortunately, there are hundreds of emergency relief funds at the global, national, and local levels, offering individual and organizational funding for basic needs, direct services, and other immediate concerns.
Reforming Oregon Campaign Finance Laws with a Grassroots Movement
Led by people of color, immigrants and refugees, rural communities, and people experiencing poverty, Voqal grantee, Unite Oregon Action works across Oregon to build a unified intercultural movement for justice. With support from Voqal, Unite Oregon Action built a strong base of community leaders fighting for real electoral system reform in 2019, including a Small
Organizing for Systemic Change in Michigan
Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength (MOSES) Action organizes communities, develops faith-based leaders, and builds relationships to advocate for social justice through a group of diverse congregations. Thanks to support from Voqal, MOSES Action was able to lead a successful public education effort in support of several Michigan ballot initiatives during the 2018 election including the
Voqal Invests $150,000 to Advance Social and Racial Equity in Oregon
Voqal is excited to announce six grants to organizations working in Oregon to build the power of communities of color. The grants of $25,000 to Oregon Futures Lab, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO), Building Power for Communities of Color, Latino Network Action Fund, Unite Oregon Action, and Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste
Keeping Families Free and Together
Grassroots Leadership works for a more just society where prison profiteering, mass incarceration, deportation, and criminalization are things of the past. With support from Voqal, Grassroots Leadership amplified the voices of those in detention, worked to halt and prevent the expansion of family detention, and mobilized community power to support those released from detention. In