Opportunity Fund Grants (Arts and Social & Economic Justice)

Opportunity Fund Grants (Arts and Social & Economic Justice) is sponsored by Opportunity Fund. Opportunity Fund awards grants to small to midsize arts organizations, and organizations and initiatives that advance social and economic justice, with a focus on racial justice.

Opportunity Fund | Grants for the Arts, and Social and Economic Justice. "To champion the liberties and rights of our communities' diverse citizens treasuring the arts" "She was a steady force when it came to integration and providing support... not just in Pittsburgh, but around the country."

Social & Economic Justice "All she cared about was helping to make the world a better place. She certainly succeeded. ” THE ARTS, AND SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE What does trust mean to us?

Click to find out in our Process Book. Opportunity Fund awards grants to small to midsize arts organizations, and organizations and initiatives that advance social and economic justice. At least 75% of our grants are awarded to projects that benefit the Greater Pittsburgh community .

Learn more about our Guiding Values here.

with an emphasis on small- and mid-sized arts organizations , and: Social & Economic Justice with a focus on Racial Justice , and: Civil rights, with special interest in Black and LGBTQ+ people, and other groups impacted by social injustice Other safety net resources Arts Grants - $7,766,588 out of $18,690,750 Social and Economic Justice Grants - $10,764,162 out of $18,690,750 Portion of grants benefitting Pittsburgh initiatives - $17,230,950 out of $18,690,750 Information on applying for grants Opportunity Fund uses an online application for all steps of the grant making process.

We do not accept mailed letters or paper applications. Applicants can submit a short video (2-3 minutes) for the “narrative” portion of the Initial Application. Opportunity Fund hosts community panels and board members to review proposals twice a year.

Cycle 1: Initial Application opens by December 1 and is due by January 15, 2026 . If invited, a Full Application is due on March 6 for award notification in May. Cycle 2: Initial Application opens by June 1 is due by July 15, 2026 .

If invited, a Full Application is due September 11 for award notification in October. Information Session Recording from June 25, 2026 Overview slides about applying to Opportunity Fund We have a two-step application process. Use our online grant system to complete both steps.

First, submit an Initial Application . Second, if approved, you will be invited to submit a longer Full Application. The Initial Application is available roughly two and a half months prior to the next deadline.

If you are a previous grant partner and have not yet completed your final report, you will have the opportunity to do so within the application. Once your Initial Application has been submitted, you will be notified of the timeline for next steps. Applicants are urged to submit early.

This tutorial provides step-by-step guidance on using the online application . You can access a template for drafting the Initial Application here. Applicants invited to a full application will receive clear instructions and support for completing their proposal.

You can access a template for drafting the Full Application here .

Social and Economic Justice Pittsburgh / Social and Economic Justice Social and Economic Justice COA Youth & Family Centers Social and Economic Justice Social and Economic Justice New Sun Rising for Arts Excursions Unlimited Arts / Pittsburgh / Social and Economic Justice The Wellness Collective (fiscally sponsored by The Pittsburgh Contingency) Pittsburgh / Social and Economic Justice The Promise Center of Homewood Pittsburgh / Social and Economic Justice Opportunity Fund was established upon the death of Gerri Kay to continue her life’s work.

An advocate for civil rights, social justice and the arts, Gerri lived her life extending herself and opportunities to others. She lived her convictions with stunning purity. Friends described her as “the most fierce, persistent and focused proponent of civil rights and racial justice I have ever met,” “essential to the flourishing of the arts in Pittsburgh, and “exceptionally passionate about supporting young or new artists.

” “The depth and breadth of her knowledge was formidable. ” To learn more about Gerri’s life and career, click here . Opportunity Fund’s seemingly broad focus is simply a reflection of what Gerri cared about.

We seek grantees who champion the liberties and rights of our communities’ diverse citizens, treasure the arts and support the lives of artists, pursue social and economic justice, and proactively provide safety net resources for those in need. They provide people the opportunity to live up to their fullest potential and who, in turn, offer their unique gifts to contribute to society’s constant betterment.

We, in turn, offer our partners the opportunity to take risks to more fully achieve their mission. “Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to ‘jump at the sun. ’ We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground.

” “The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by obvious realities. We need men and women who can dream of things that never were. ” “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.

” Executive Director and Board Member Program Officer/Operations Arts / Opportunity Fund / Social and Economic Justice OPPORTUNITY FUND PROVIDES $1,339,000 IN GRANTS TO THE ARTS AND SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE CONTACT: Jake Goodman, Opportunity Fund Executive Director jgoodman [at] theopportunityfund.

org, 412-362-1300 PITTSBURGH, PA, June 2, 2026 — Opportunity Fund announces grantmaking support in the total amount of $1,339,000 to 74 partners as part of its first grant cycle in 2026. The foundation reviewed 187 requests for funding, requesting over $3. 5 million.

This year the foundation increased their… OPPORTUNITY FUND ANNOUNCES IAN-JULIAN WILLIAMS AS PROGRAM OFFICER/ARTS National Endowment for the Arts specialist brings equity-centered approach and commitment to artistic freedom to Pittsburgh-based foundation. PITTSBURGH, PA, January 7, 2026 — Opportunity Fund is excited to welcome Ian-Julian Williams as Program Officer/Arts.

Williams will guide the foundation’s arts grantmaking strategy with emphasis on its three priorities of arts funding: nurturing conditions that free artists… Arts / Opportunity Fund / Social and Economic Justice 2025 End of Year Reflections Hello Everyone, 2025 has been a pivotal year for Opportunity Fund, for Pittsburgh, and for the nation at large.

This year challenged us to grow as a philanthropic organization and as individuals.

We celebrated our ten-year anniversary, honoring ten years of working alongside brilliant grant partners and fellow foundations supporting the arts and social and… Arts / Opportunity Fund / Social and Economic Justice OPPORTUNITY FUND PROVIDES $968,000 IN GRANTS TO THE ARTS AND SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE CONTACT: Jake Goodman, Opportunity Fund Executive Director jgoodman [at] theopportunityfund.

org, 412-362-1300 PITTSBURGH, PA, November 7, 2025 — Opportunity Fund announces grantmaking support in the total amount of $968,000 to 71 partners as part of its second grant cycle in 2025. The foundation reviewed 176 requests for funding, requesting over $3. 4 million.

“Our guiding values have always included social… Arts / Opportunity Fund / Social and Economic Justice OPPORTUNITY FUND PROVIDES $933,489 IN GRANTS TO THE ARTS AND SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE PITTSBURGH, PA, April 18, 2025 — Opportunity Fund announces grantmaking support in the total amount of $933,489 as part of its first grant cycle in 2025. The foundation reviewed 164 requests for funding, requesting over $2. 7 million.

Opportunity Fund aspires to nurture reciprocal relationships with its partners that are built on trust. The majority of all… Note: This is an excerpt of the speech given by Jake Goodman, Opportunity Fund’s Executive Director, at the foundation’s 10-year anniversary celebration on February 28, 2025. I want to talk about the time we’re living in right now.

It’s just February. Our country has elected a president whose administration is actively expanding its power, authoritarian… Please contact us for more info on Opportunity Fund and our activities. 5126 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Opportunity Fund is based in Pittsburgh, PA