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Grassroots Leadership Fund

The Grassroots Leadership Fund, in partnership with the Kresge Foundation’s Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) Initiative, supports local activists across the country, and the small groups they lead, with immediate resources to address climate-driven urban flooding in low-income, historically marginalized communities.

Grassroots leaders participate in a multi-year learning cohort of groups working at the intersection of climate resilience, urban flooding and equity. The cohort provides opportunities for peer learning, networking, and training, as well as individual support and coaching to help groups build organizational capacity.

Fund Details

Start Your Application

We highly recommend scheduling a call to discuss your eligibility before beginning an application.

Maximum Funding Request:
$15,000 total distributed over two years

Important Dates:
Applications for Cohort 3 are due by December 13, 2024

Let’s Connect:
Have questions or want to book a consultation? Connect with Aurora Heying, aheying@rosefdn.org or schedule a call: https://calendly.com/aheying/30min

Eligibility and Priorities

Groups must be actively working on equity-based climate resiliency approaches to urban stormwater and wastewater systems.
Must represent a low-income, historically marginalized community that has been impacted by climate-driven urban flooding.
Have an active interest in growing their internal organizational capacity.
Have 501c3 nonprofit status, a fiscal sponsor, or be working towards c3 status.
Have limited staff capacity, with only 0-3 paid staff members.
Have an annual budget under $200,000.
Have demonstrated an ability to engage local residents or public officials on urban waters issues by convening public events, officials, etc.

Advocacy and programming to address climate-driven urban flooding, green stormwater infrastructure installation, wetlands protection, or disaster response and preparedness
Activities such as running educational programs; coordinating neighborhood discussions; planting trees, installing rain barrels, bioswales and other green infrastructure; policy advocacy and community organizing; environmental analysis, disaster planning and relief efforts.

Steps To Apply

If you are having any trouble with the application please reach out to Aurora Heying at aheying@rosefdn.org and we will be happy to assist you.

1. Check Your Project’s Eligibility 2. Create an Online Account 3. Complete and Submit an Application

1. Check Your Project’s Eligibility

Review Eligibility Criteria and Application Materials

Please read the eligibility criteria and priorities above before starting an application.

We highly recommend that you schedule a call to discuss your project before beginning an application: https://calendly.com/aheying/30min

Review the required application materials (see FAQ “What does the application look like”), and download the application questions here.

2. Create an Online Account

3. Complete and Submit an Application

FAQ

A group of people is gathered around a young tree, digging and working together to plant it in the ground. They are outdoors on a sunny day, near a large brick building. Some are using shovels, and one person is crouching down to handle the soil.

Networking & Peer Learning:
- Grassroots Leaders will meet with each other through group networking sessions and peer learning discussions on common capacity challenges, where they can learn from each other’s experiences, share resources, and tackle common problems together.
Organizational Capacity Assessment:
- Participants have the option to complete an organizational capacity assessment survey to help identify priority areas for organizational growth.
Personal Coaching and Mentorship
- Rose staff will provide individualized support, coaching, and advice on their specific capacity building priorities
Trainings
- Participants will have access to training webinars on relevant topics, from fundraising for small groups, to board recruitment and communications strategy.

View the application questions here.
Be ready to include the following attachments when you fill out the application online:
- Organizational income statement from the most recently completed fiscal year. You may use our Financial Template, or attach your own.
- If you need help putting together a budget or income statement please take a look at our How-To sheet, here.
Optional Additions:
- Press clippings and/or pictures.
- Newsletters or other publications.

Meet Past Participants

From grassroots community organizers to groups with nation-wide reach, meet the changemakers supported by Rose grants.

Three residents lean over tables to look at a flood map of their community

LEAD Agency

Grantee | Miami, OK

Through advocacy and education, Local Environmental Action Demanded, mobilizes residents, tribal members and agency officials to address toxic pollution and flooding near the Tar Creek Superfund site.

10 residents pose in front of a colorful sign that says "Hollygrove Community Garden" in an empty green lot. A blue house is visible behind them.

Hollygrove Neighbors Association

Grantee | New Orleans, LA

HNA repurposes vacant lots as community gardens and gathering places while installing green infrastructure to mitigate flooding.

Residents in yellow t-shirts hold signs with images of flooding at a protest. A black man stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone in the foreground.

Northeast Action Collective

Grantee | Houston, TX

NAC organizes against flooding, disinvestment and inadequate drainage in northeast Houston, pushing government agencies to respond adequately to flooding disasters and invest in better water infrastructure.

A Community Voice

Grantee | New Orleans, LA

A Community Voice helps New Orleans residents develop plans to install bioswales and rain gardens, preparing their communities for floods and hurricanes.

A person wearing glasses and a white hoodie is standing in front of a large map. Another person's arm, in a blue and black sleeve, is pointing to a specific area on the map. Both individuals appear to be engaged in discussion.

Marin City People’s Plan

Grantee | Marin County, CA

Marin City People’s Plan addresses flooding and storm impacts with Watershed Steward Training, teaching community members to implement nature-based solutions in Marin City.

Fund Partners

Take the next step

Do you still have questions about this application process or need additional support from Rose Foundation staff? Here are some helpful resources.

Helpful Resources

Book a 15 minute consultation

Online application instructions

Access Rose Foundation logos

See current and past grantees

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Grassroots Leadership Fund

Fund Details

Eligibility and Priorities

Applicant Criteria

Geographical Scope

Issues and Activities We Support

Duration of Support and Grant Size