OUR MISSION: We support organizations, scholars, leaders, and initiatives focused on shifting the balance of power toward communities, families, and individuals who continue to be excluded from shaping society and from sharing in its rewards and freedoms.
In 2021 and beyond, MCF is doubling down on general operating (unrestricted) support for locally-based community organizing efforts, especially in areas across the country where social justice leaders cannot depend on a robust funding ecosystem to support their vision and leadership. Multiple approaches to increasing community power and transforming society are necessary, but locally-based community organizing is a particularly under-utilized and under-supported strategy. It will not be possible to achieve lasting social change without a much greater investment in community organizing from philanthropy. Moreover, the forces working against social justice leaders and undermining progress at the local level are only becoming more powerful and dangerous every day.
In addition to the financial support needed to realize their strategies, we believe that leaders with the potential to shift the balance of power in their communities also need funders to fiercely support and defend their creativity, experimentation, risk-taking and bold action. That is why MCF focuses on raising additional funds for grant recipients on top of the funds we provide through our own grants. It is also why we are increasing our focus on providing grant recipients access to a wider set of relationships, communications channels, research and technical support, and other means of increasing the momentum behind their leadership.
