Black Girls Defense Fund
Resistance and Resilience Grant
Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium’s Black Girls Defense Fund is dedicated to supporting organizations who are advocating and building movements for the rights and safety of Black girls, women, and femme identifying youth in the South. This Resistance and Resilience grant will provide financial support to organizations fighting against dehumanization and protecting the fundamental rights of Black girls and women in the South.
With grants of up to $20,000, this funding opportunity is designed to strengthen community-led efforts addressing the unique challenges Black girls, women, and femme identifying youth face that include adultification, dehumanization, reproductive and maternal health, gender based violence and other health and safety issues. When completing your JustFund Common Application, we recommend that you utilize the optional filter to share which state(s) your work is centered in to support our decision making.
Eligibility:
To qualify for this grant, applicants must:
- Have a new or existing program, project, advocacy campaign, or other initiative that addresses health and safety, justice, violence, carceral systems, or restorative justice practices for Black girls, women, or femme identifying youth in the South.
- Operate in one of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, or Texas
- Be a 501(c)(3) organization or have fiscal sponsorship by another non-profit organization with a budget of less than $1 million
Grant Award Range
$5,000 – $20,000
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Open Date: 05/05/26 9:00 AM EST
- Deadline to apply: 05/14/2026 8:00 PM EST
- Decisions Expected to be Announced: 06/24/2026
- Grant Workshop: 05/07/26 7:00 PM EST
Apply
The application opens Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 9am EST and closes April 10, 20205 at 8pm EST.
To apply, visit https://portal.justfund.us/p/rfps/49c92a0a-99ed-4e2a-8490-26192d319d10
Information Session:
We are hosting an information session to provide an in-depth overview of the application and process. This session will equip you with the tools and information necessary to guide you through the application process and answer any questions you may have.
Time: Thursday, May 7th at 7pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://southernblackgirls.zoom.us/meeting/register/n68gx0y1T1S0xbxtfGjTKg
Application Instructions
Before you get started, learn more about how the JustFund Common Application™ works. Please ensure that all fields in your profile are up to date. As part of your application, your profile information will also be submitted and dated at time of submission. Important: Please note that account activation via JustFund can take up to two days. To ensure your application is considered, plan to submit at least three days before the deadline.
Application Specific Questions
Program Design and Expected Impact: Describe how this funding will provide resources or support a new or existing program, project, advocacy campaign, or other initiative that addresses justice, gender based violence, carceral systems, or restorative justice practices for Black girls, women, or femme identifying youth in the South. Please outline specific activities, the expected outcomes, and the metrics for measuring the success of these interventions. Additionally, provide a brief history of your organization, its leadership and history of working with Black girls, women or femme identifying youth. *
Community Engagement and Advocacy Strategies: What are your strategies for engaging and incorporating feedback from the community and key stakeholders in your program? How will your project sustain or expand ongoing efforts to protect and advocate for Black girls, women, and femme identifying youth in the South? If your organization is selected, your organization may be mentioned in the media, including online or print publications. Would like to decline this opportunity for media coverage? *
Resource Allocation: The Resistance and Resilience grant is for general operating support. Describe any additional resources, partnerships or collaborations that will be leveraged to support this work. How will this grant help bridge any gaps in your current funding and resource allocation to ensure the continuation of your work? Outside of funding, what other ways can Southern Black Girls support your work? *
Application Specific Attachments
- W9 *
- Proof of 501(c)(3) Status or Fiscal Sponsorship – IRS determination letter or fiscal sponsor agreement *
- Most recent Form 990 and organization budget *
Contact Information
Email: grants@southernblackgirls.org
