Opening $100,000 in micro-grants for community-led justice work

Applications open May 1 through May 29 for Somerville residents, advocates, and service providers

The City of Somerville is putting money directly into the hands of residents, advocates, and service providers working to advance racial and social justice at the local and neighborhood level. Mayor Jake Wilson and the Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) today announced the launch of the City’s first-ever RSJ Fund Public Grants round, a new micro-grant program offering up community programming grants — with individual awards ranging from $250 to $9,999. Applications will be accepted from Friday, May 1, through Friday, May 29, 2026.

During the pilot round, the RSJ Fund will make available up to $100,000 in community programming grants in total. Individual applicants may request between $250 and $9,999. The fund is open to Somerville residents, local advocates, and service providers with a vision for making Somerville a more just and equitable place to live, work, and thrive.

 “Somerville doesn’t work without community builders, and those community builders can’t work without resources,” said Mayor Wilson. “The RSJ Fund public grants are about making sure our people have real resources to match their vision.”

 What the RSJ Fund Public Grants Support
The RSJ Fund public grants support projects that align with Somerville’s commitment to racial and social justice. Proposals should address at least one of three focus areas:

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB): Projects that work to make Somerville a place where everyone, regardless of race, background, is valued, treated with dignity, and has fair and equitable access to resources and opportunities. Examples include but are not limited to mentorship programs, cultural showcases, and accessibility audits for community organizations.

• Community Engagement: Projects that build trust and connection across neighborhoods and ensure residents have a voice in the decisions that affect their daily lives. Examples include neighborhood resource guides, youth-led campaigns, and shared community spaces.

• Education & Trainings: Projects that share skills, knowledge, and tools so that people can advocate for themselves and their neighbors. Examples include tenant rights workshops, civic participation trainings, and restorative justice programming.

“This fund exists because we know that some of the most powerful ideas for change come from people who are already doing the work right here in our neighborhoods,” said Interim RSJ Director, Catherine Nakato. “This is an opportunity to close the gap in how projects are financed. We’re excited to invest in ideas and people in a real, tangible way, and we encourage anyone to apply.”

Grantees will be selected by a Review Committee appointed by the Mayor’s office and consist of City staff and community members whose work is centered around equity, social justice, and community engagement.

 How to Apply 

• Deadline: Applications for the RSJ Fund Public Grants open Friday, May 1, 2026. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 29.
• Proposals: Applicants will be asked to share a brief project concept that describes their connection to Somerville, a proposed timeline, and an overview of how awarded funds would be used.
• More information: Please see the Fund webpage at somervillema.gov/rsj-fund for more detailed information.
• Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must live or work in Somerville.
• Award range: $250 – $9,999 per award. All awards are subject to approval by the review committee.
• Where to submit application: Please submit your application online at somervillema.gov/rsj-fund. Anyone who requires assistance with the online form or an alternate form of submission may contact rsj@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311).
• How funds will be paid: The RSJ Fund operates on a reimbursement basis. Partial reimbursements may be requested as the work on a project grant is being conducted. Applicants may request payments to third party vendors, who have conducted work on the project grant; thereby ensuring funds go directly to appropriate expenses. Final reimbursement, typically no less than 30% of the award, will not be made until the project is completed as proposed and a final report is submitted.

 About the Review Process
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of City of Somerville staff and community members appointed by the Mayor’s office. Projects will be evaluated on their vision, project design, community impact, and the lived and professional experience of the applicant as well as budget details. The review committee will seek to support strong proposals from both first-time project managers as well as applicants who bring demonstrated track records of success.

This is the RSJ Fund’s Public Grants inaugural round. The City looks forward to growing and refining the program in future cycles based on the learnings and community feedback generated this year.

For questions or more information, please contact: rsj@somervillema.gov.