JustFund 2022 Impact Report

MONEY MOVES AT THE SPEED OF TRUST

Celebrating Our First Five Years of Impact

DEAR FRIENDS,

It’s been five years since we launched JustFund to transform the way money moves. Having worked in and around philanthropy for more than 25 years, I saw gaps in how we give, and set out to design a better way: one where funders can center equity and trust in the giving process and where organizations can protect their valuable time for missionadvancing work. We sought out to leverage a new technology to reset philanthropy for good, and we are well on our way.

To know how far we’ve come requires knowing our roots:

While working at a national donor network, I received hundreds of proposals for review, knowing that we had the capacity to fund only a handful—and very rarely at the level each organization required. We didn’t have a way to amplify the incredible, critical work happening on the frontlines with other funders

and networks, and we didn’t have an easy way to track aligned giving. We needed a better way to ensure chronically underfunded organizations were adequately resourced and broadly supported.

The sector needed a comprehensive solution that would break down barriers, allowing organizations to have access to hundreds of funding opportunities with one common proposal. We also needed a way to amplify critical frontline work to thousands of funders wanting to find and fund organizations at the intersections of their priorities and values.

Enter JustFund.

Since 2017, JustFund has helped more than 700 funders move nearly $200 million to more than 2,400 proposals working at the intersection of the issues we care so deeply about. JustFunders, including the Donors of Color Network, Liberated Capital, Amplify Fund, Way to Rise, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Emergent Fund, and thousands of other funders, advisors, and donors are working to center equity in their giving and move more money to chronically underfunded communities, particularly those with Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) leadership.

YEARS

We believe money moves at the speed of trust™, and as the only nonprofit grantmaking solution created by funders and organizers of color, our seamless technology and expert team are laser focused on freeing up time for grantseekers and grantmakers to build trustfilled relationships with one another. We’ve built a solution to track aligned giving and move money in a way that centers accountability and transparency.

Five years in, we are just at the beginning of what’s possible. We’ve launched a movement to reset philanthropy for good, and we wouldn’t be here without you. Read on to learn more about our collective impact and how we will continue to JustFund, together.

Sincerely,

Iara Peng (she/her) Founder and CEO JustFund

About JustFund

JustFund was developed in 2017 by funders and organizers of color, with a new approach to grantmaking: one that is values-aligned, rooted in equity, and capable of moving meaningful resources to chronically underfunded communities. As a nonprofit, we’re not here to make money; we’re here to move money. Specifically, we’re here to ensure frontline organizations historically excluded from traditional philanthropy are able to easily access resources through a simple and equitable solution.

In just five years, we have built a powerful solution that is transforming antiquated philanthropic systems and structures. JustFund is now a trusted partner to nearly 1,000 funders and over 130 funds, including national foundations, donor networks, family foundations, collaborative funds, and community foundations.

We believe philanthropy shouldn’t be about barriers and bottlenecks, and that vulnerable communities should have access to the resources they need to thrive.

EDGAR VILLANUEVA Founder and Principal of Decolonizing Wealth Project and Liberated Capital

“It’s time for philanthropy to become a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. That starts with democratizing our sector. JustFund is a critical partner when it comes to addressing the power dynamics of philanthropy and democratizing our work. With their partnership, we’re making informed and efficient decisions about how to move our money in a way that will support a more equitable future.”

JustFund

Our Approach

JustFund is different from any other grantmaking platform; we aren’t just an innovative technology. We are a transformative solution offering philanthropy a new way to give while simplifying the process of finding resources for mission-driven movements. Challenging systems within philanthropy, we fund transparently, with equity and trust at the center, and we are proud to have moved hundreds of millions from funders to BIPOC communities through this revolutionary approach.

Our innovative technology enables grantseekers to collectively save hundreds of thousands of hours applying to funding opportunities via our common proposal model. Grantmakers looking for critical work to fund can find organizations that align with their priorities and interests using dozens of search criteria, learn more about their work, and see who else is funding them.

The Common Proposal

JustFund offers grantmakers the nation’s first—and only—common proposal model. Rather than requiring organizations to complete dozens of separate and timeconsuming grant applications, the common proposal is designed to save grantseekers time and make it easy to apply to multiple funding opportunities at once.

Our common proposal collects basic information about organizations. Grantmakers can ask up to three supplemental questions and request up to three attachments, allowing them to collect targeted information from applicants. Organization profiles and proposals are visible to all JustFunders, increasing their exposure to donor networks, individual donors, and foundations.

JustFund is more than a solution designed to simplify grantmaking and center equity in a traditionally inequitable process. We are a community of valuesaligned funders ready to reset philanthropy for good.

1

HOW WE’RE DIFFERENT:

We offer a transformative approach to grantmaking that provides a seamless experience for grantmakers and grantseekers.

We believe money moves at the speed of trust and offer a new grantmaking approach that frees up the time required to build trust-filled relationships.

We introduced the common proposal to save grantseekers time and help grantmakers streamline their application process.

We track funding across networks to increase transparency and accountability and give grantmakers more confidence moving resources to new organizations.

THE ISSUES WE EXIST TO ADDRESS:

Dollars Sitting Idle: There’s an estimated $160 billion in assets sitting untouched in Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), not being invested into historically excluded and underfunded communities.1

Disparity in Distribution: In 2020, BIPOC-led organizations received 4% of overall philanthropic dollars, and Black-led organizations remained 91% smaller than their white-led counterparts.2

Capacity Crunch: Applying for grants takes time away from mission-advancing work. 40% of grant applications take more than a week and cost over $5,000.3

“The 2021 DAF Report,” National Philanthropic Trust, 2021 2 Racial Equity and Philanthropy: Disparities in Funding for Leaders of Color Leave Impact on the Table,” The Bridgespan Group and Echoing Green, 2020 3 “Shallow Review of Grant Writing,” Charity Science

JustFund is helping reimagine the way we give: from donors looking to fund groups new to their networks, to funds that have moved a record number of grants in record time, to foundations that want to center equity in their grantmaking practice.

Take a look at our impact from our first five years:

Issue Areas

We’ve helped move millions to thousands of organizations working across issues areas. Below is a spotlight on the critical issues funded over the years:

Climate Justice / Environmental Justice / Nature

Climate / Disaster Response & Recovery

Criminal Justice

Democracy & Civic Engagement

Education

Economic Justice

Food Justice

Gender & Reproductive Justice

Healthcare Rights / Wellness / Public Health Housing / Homelessness

Human Rights / Civil Rights & Liberties

Immigration

LGBTQIA+

Racial Justice

Transportation / Utilities / Public Infrastructure

Other

Help us Grow our Impact

Contribute to JustFund today: scan the QR code and list “JustFund Combined Fund” as the Recipient Fund, via Amalgamated Foundation . Contact iara@justfund.us to discuss your support

Our Impact in Action

MOLLY

SCHULTZ

JustFund Board Chair

HAFID

THE HEART OF JUSTFUND

“I remember thinking: ‘finally.’ Somebody figured it out.”

When Molly Schultz Hafid, Board Chair of JustFund and Executive Director of the Butler Family Fund, reflects on the earliest days of JustFund, she recalls her excitement for a tool that could finally cut through grantmaking’s “red tape” and liberate an organization’s time and energy for social change. Five years later, she finds a source of deep pride in the platform’s evolution.

“Today, the platform is helping funders collaborate with our peers, learn what other valuesaligned funders are supporting, and meet new social justice groups working on issues we care about—all in one space that’s committed to streamlining and simplifying the grantseeker experience,” Molly explains.

Fueling the movement for social and racial equity has always been the central vision of JustFund, and Molly hopes to see the platform’s continued evolution in the future.

“I’d love to expand the resources that are available for social change organizations by finding ways to bring new funders and individual donors into the portal,” she says.

“To me, supporting social justice leaders and movements for social change is at the heart of JustFund.”

Scan to Hear Molly’s Story of Impact

“JustFund understands that removing as many barriers as possible for movement groups and potential funders to interact is central to resetting philanthropy.”

SHEENA BROWN

Director of Resource Mobilization, Liberated Capital - Decolonizing Wealth

LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD

Before JustFund existed, Sheena Brown and her team at Liberated Capital faced the traditional barriers preventing grantmakers from moving resources efficiently to organizations on the forefront of social change. “It was a lot more difficult to access donors and funders who might’ve been interested in funding our work, but had no way of getting to us,” she explains.

“JustFund levels the playing field in so many ways for our grantees to be able to access resources.”

With JustFund’s partnership and transformational approach to grantmaking, Liberated Capital is now channeling more of their focus into what they do best: making effective and smart grants in pursuit of liberation and racial healing.

“Now, we’re not only in a position to move resources to groups, but the groups who we are resourcing are

able to access additional resources from the JustFund community,” says Sheena.

From Sheena’s perspective, JustFund democratizes and brings more equity to Liberated Capital’s work in many ways. By providing a strong platform that centers access and user-friendliness, JustFund is an integral partner in the movement to decolonize philanthropy.

“The needs of these organizations far outweigh what [resources] they have access to bringing in to meet those needs,” Sheena says. “But partnering with JustFund allows for many more, much-needed resources to be distributed.”

Scan to Hear Sheena’s Story of Impact

NAT CHIOKE WILLIAMS

Executive Director, Hill-Snowdon Foundation

THE VALUE OF TIME

According to Nat Chioke Williams, Executive Director of the HillSnowdon Foundation, “time is the most valuable commodity.” But it’s in short supply when administrative barriers make it difficult for grantmakers to move money where it matters most.

effort launched among several national foundations, including General Service Foundation, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, Whitman Institute, and UU Veatch Program. The Fund was one of the first to utilize the JustFund portal in its beta stage. It also granted nearly $2 million within six grant cycles.

This is a common bottleneck in philanthropy, and one the HillSnowdon Foundation faced during the early days of The Defending the Dream Fund (DDF), a collaborative

In 2018, DDF pivoted from a reactive grantmaking approach to a proactive one, centering civic engagement-based power building in their efforts. Nat remarks, “I’m not sure if we would have been able to identify that pivot as clearly had we dealt with the administrative burden.”

Nat’s team had the time to be strategic while simultaneously building lasting relationships with others.

Time is the most valuable commodity. And through partnering with JustFund, the Hill-Snowdon Foundation was able to get it back.

Scan to Hear Nat’s Story of Impact

“What I value most about JustFund is its ability to manifest some of the best parts of philanthropy.”

ISABELLE LEIGHTON

Executive Director, Donors of Color Network

A ONE-OF-A-KIND SOLUTION

The Donors of Color Network is remarkably unique in its approach to advancing racial equity and transformative impact. So, too, are the network’s partnerships, including its relationship with JustFund that fosters new and innovative forms of social justice investment.

“As a community of high networth donors building the power of people of color communities, it’s mission-critical to find grantseekers who are genuinely valuesaligned. JustFund makes connecting with these groups much easier.”

Notably, JustFund has supported the network’s advocacy for inclusion and equity in philanthropy to elevate their transparency and overall funding. “And in our next phase of partnership with JustFund,” Isabelle previews, “we’ll roll out some great ways for new folks in our network to give in an equitable and values-aligned way. Alongside JustFund, we’re only continuing to grow. I’m really proud of that.”

As a current grantmaker and a former grantseeker, Isabelle emphasizes the value of a shared space for organizations and funders to connect. “As grantmakers, we have a platform where we can build relationships and explore where our peers are directing funds. Organizations, in turn, are assured that there are folks using JustFund who understand their mission and vision,” Isabelle says. “It’s a simple, yet one-of-a-kind solution.”

Scan to Hear Isabelle’s Story of Impact

Where We Are Headed

That’s $93,000 per day, and counting, of money moved from funders to the frontlines. We’re on our way to moving $500 million to historically excluded and chronically underfunded communities. Together, we’ve made a meaningful impact in our first five years: from an idea to the activation of a movement to reset philanthropy for good.

With the alarming and growing threats to democracy and racial justice, growing movements require a comprehensive approach to funding. JustFund recognizes the full spectrum of needs that organizations have. With JustFund, grantmakers can expand funding in deeply intentional ways, viewing work led by 501(c)(3)s, fiscally sponsored projects, 501(c)(4)s, PACs, and individuals—recognizing that a multi-entity approach to funding is crucial to the advancement of a multiracial democracy.

And that’s not the only way JustFund’s innovative technology is transforming the way we give. We’ve built transparency into giving, allowing funders to see proposals submitted to other funds, use dozens of search options to find organizations that align with their priorities and interests, and track where money is flowing, and where it isn’t.

A Values-Aligned Community

In our first five years, we’ve moved over $170 million, collectively supporting over 1,600 organizations. Here are a few of our partners:

Grantseekers

Grantmakers

Our Team

Learn more about the team working behind the scenes. Get to know our amazing staff, board of directors, and advisory council who work hard to power JustFund every day at justfund.us.

The Growth Ahead

JustFund launched in 2017 with $191,096 in revenue and closed 2021 with $1,791,465 in revenue; 60% of that revenue is generated through earned income. By 2025, given

the rate of growth and increased investment in our technology and team, we will be on pace to move $165 million annually and bring in $4.6 million in operating revenue, with 79% of that revenue generated through earned income.

Join us as we continue on this path for growth and change, while moving more money, more equitably, to historically excluded communities.

Let’s JustFund, together.

Scan to learn more and participate in JustFund’s growth capital campaign

Join Us

We are on a mission to move more money, more equitably to historically excluded communities addressing critical systemic issues such as racial justice, human and civil rights, economic justice, and climate justice, among others.

To get there, your partnership is essential.

Become a JustFunder to find and fund new organizations or to run your entire grant cycle through JustFund, streamlining your process and giving your applicants access to other funding opportunities.

Join in JustFund’s first growth capital round of $10 million to help us scale faster by investing in our backend technology, expanding our team, and building a matching fund to incentivize individuals to move more money to organizations.

Sign up for our newsletter to receive insights from the JustFund team, success stories from fellow JustFunders, ideas to center equity in your grantmaking, and stay current on urgent needs from our community. Sign up at justfund.us.

Spread the word and join our movement online to reset philanthropy. Follow us at @justfundus.

Having a portal like JustFund rewrites us into history and makes it possible to know what Native peoples are dreaming, planning, and organizing in the 21st century. Less than 1% of philanthropy is going to Indian Country. Unless there are vehicles like JustFund, we don’t have a space to share the innovation and incredible work going on at the grassroots and tribal level.”

JUDITH LEBLANC Caddo Tribe of OK Director, Native Organizers Alliance