The Lindy Center for Civic Engagement is excited to offer a funding opportunity to students for collaborative projects that advance understanding of and action against systemic racism in the West Philadelphia community. Our Anti-Racism Mini-Grant directs Lindy Center monetary resources toward student projects and learning focused on racial justice and anti-racism in the Mantua and Powelton Village neighborhoods of West Philadelphia, especially projects that demonstrate deep relationship-building within this community.

In 2023 we have the funds to distribute 5 grants of up to $1,000 (possibly more grants if they have smaller budgets). Given that the award is relatively small, projects that are the best fit will be in a startup or exploratory phase (in which case grantees can also take advantage of the Lindy Center’s resources and networking with other grantees) or be larger projects that are seeking support for one specific component related to the grant’s focus areas.

If you are a student or group interested in further understanding and addressing systemic racism and its consequences in the West Philadelphia and broader Philadelphia community in an innovative and sustainable way, please consider applying for this Anti-Racism Mini-Grant. Projects can be within the following areas, which are expanded upon in the official call for proposals: 

1. Dialogue
2. Education
3. Arts and Culture
4. Economic Mobility
5. Global Perspectives

Please see the official call for proposals here. Applications for the 2023 cycle have closed but please stay tuned for the next cycle in 2024. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Anti-Racism Mini-Grant: 

1. What is the application review process?

a. It should take approximately three (3) weeks to review all applications and proposals once the application deadline has passed. The grant applications will be reviewed by a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students from various campus offices and backgrounds. Students will be notified in early May if they are selected for the grant. Students will have access to funds beginning May 1 through November 17, 2023.

2. How many grantees will be selected?

a. We have enough funding for 5 grants of up to $1,000 each. If we receive more applicants with smaller budgets, we may be able to offer more grants of smaller amounts.

3. Can I choose more than one (1) designated focus area for my project?

a. Yes. Students may choose to focus their project on just one focus area or more than one (up to four) focus area. However, the student must explain how all needs align with each other and address systemic racism in the local community.

4. How much time will select students have to work on their projects?

a. Selected grantees will have access to funds between May 1 and November 17, a period of around seven (7) months. Given the brief time span, grantees should not create project goals that cannot be achieved within the grant period. As mentioned in the grant information, projects that are the best fit for this grant will be in a startup or exploratory phase (in which case grantees can also take advantage of the Lindy Center’s resources and networking with other grantees) or be larger projects that are seeking support for one specific, time-limited component related to the grant’s focus areas.

5. Can I apply with a team or group?

a. Yes. A student can apply for the grant as a team.

6. Will selected students be expected to keep the Lindy Center updated on their projects?

Yes. Students selected for the grant will be expected to participate in at least one grantee check-in call about midway through the grant period (August, most likely). Grantees will also be expected to turn in a report at the end of the grant period detailing how they spent grant funds and how the project is progressing and/or meeting its goals. Grantees may also be invited to present their work at the Lindy Center in the fall 2023 or winter 2024 term.

7. Are there limitations to what I can and cannot use grant funds for?

a. Yes. Students WILL NOT be permitted to use grant funds for:

• Compensation for themselves for time spent on the grant.
• Alcoholic beverages: students may use funds to buy food for events/meetings as part of their project but are not to provide alcohol.
• Any project or work done to fulfill any academic requirement such as a course project, independent study, thesis, etc.

Students WILL be permitted to use grant funds for:

• Materials/supplies: students may purchase items that will help with their project. Items may include books, tools, art supplies, etc.
• Food & beverages: pizza, water, juice, soda, snacks, etc.
• All funds distributed by the Lindy Center must be used for this project, not another course project.

8. How will grant funds be disbursed?

a. Due to University policies, in most cases the Lindy Center will need to spend funds on behalf of grantees (for instance, the Lindy Center will buy supplies or pay honoraria for the grantees) rather than disbursing funds directly to grantees to spend on their own. This is why it is extremely important that grantees be specific about how grant funding will be spent when they submit their budget information in the application form—it will help us determine how best to support grantee needs in compliance with University policies.