$300,000 for Arts & Social Change Collaborations in Oakland – Just City Cultural Fund

The Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund is offering major multi-year grants for collaborations between Oakland-based cultural organisations, artists and social change organisations working to build a more racially just and equitable city. Three collaborations will be selected in the 2026 funding round.

Here’s what you can expect:

• $300,000 over three years — $100,000 annually

• Three collaborations will receive funding

• An additional $12,000 annual living stipend for participating artists and cultural practitioners

• An additional $25,000 allocation to document the collaboration

• Funding for collaborations between cultural and social-change organisations

• Projects should challenge racialised narratives and explore new ways of sharing power

• Support for work strengthening belonging, racial justice and community power across Oakland.

Who can apply?

• Collaborations based in Oakland, California

• Cultural organisations working with civically engaged artists or cultural practitioners

• Social change organisations collaborating with artists or cultural organisations

• Projects must serve BIPOC communities in Oakland

• The lead applicant must have 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status, or work with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor

• Lead organisations should have an operating budget of $500,000 or more

• Up to 10 applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal following the initial Letter of Interest stage.

Application deadline: 28 August 2026 at 5:00pm PT