Grant applications are accepted from October to January. Awards are announced in the spring.
Mennonite Mission Network is offering anti-racism grants for underfunded ministries and agencies in the United States managed by Asian, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous or other People of Color groups who are engaged in peacebuilding, social justice and anti-racism efforts.
The grant program is an acknowledgment of the historical and ongoing systemic disparities that disproportionately affect diverse communities and aims to empower those who are actively working to address and rectify these issues. These grants are particularly aimed at smaller nonprofits who, although they are doing great work, are often overlooked and have trouble obtaining funding.
- Eligibility: Organizations led by Asian, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous or other People of Color who are engaged in peace-building initiatives, conflict resolution, racial and social justice, community healing and related efforts are encouraged to apply. Only organizations that operate within the United States will be considered at this time. We hope to contribute to the mission of God by starting within our home communities.
- Application process: A simple online application must be submitted by January 31.
- Grant amounts: Grants will be awarded based on the specific needs and impact potential of the applicant organizations, with varying award sizes to maximize the reach and effectiveness of the grants. Applicants may apply for up to $15,000. A total of $50,000 is available for 2025.
- Community outreach: Mission Network will actively engage with Asian, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous or other People of Color communities and organizations to ensure the program reaches those who need it most. This includes collaboration with community leaders, advocates and organizations.
- Evaluation and reporting: Grant recipients will be asked to provide a brief annual report, describing how the money was used thus enabling Mission Network to assess the impact of the grants and share success stories.
Applications will be reviewed by the members of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team at Mission Network, in consultation with diverse members of Mennonite Church USA.
Who we are
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team at Mission Network is made up of a diverse group of staff from across departments of the organization who are dedicated to tending to this work. Current team members are Ana Alicia Hinojosa, Jason Ault, Kayci Detweiler, Michelle Ramer and Sara Gurule.
At Mission Network, we hope to join in the Missio Dei (Mission of God) that has been initiated by God, seen most clearly in Jesus, and carried out by the church with the help of the Spirit. We recognize that joining in this mission calls for:
- Diversity that exists in the creation that God has declared good (Genesis 1:31)
- Equity that is preached by and experienced in Jesus (John 7:24, Galatians 3:28)
- Inclusion which is enacted by the Spirit (Acts 2)
Vision: We envision Mission Network to be an intercultural organization where equity, antiracism and inclusion is evident in each area of our work.
Mission: The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team assists Mission Network in its strategic priority for peace, justice, and DEI. We do this by assessing our organization from an anti-racism lens to create continual transformation for intercultural competence in our structures and relationships.
Core commitments:
- We commit to dismantling practices that perpetuate racism and white supremacy within our organization.
- We commit to creating processes to ensure that staff and participants are equipped to carry out God’s mission in this world that rejects racism, colonialism, and other forms of exclusion.
- We commit to providing a workplace where all employees can feel a place of belonging and psychological safety.
- We commit to holding the organization accountable for reaching goals related to antiracism in ways that are restorative and aid in the overall culture of the organization.
