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Community Impact Fund: Community-Led Grantmaking   

The Community Impact Fund (CIF) is a grant using a community-led grantmaking process to provide funding to nonprofits engaged in community building, advocacy and education activities at the intersection of child care and economic justice in New Mexico and South Carolina. The first-ever grants were awarded to Partnership for Community Action in New Mexico and BEE Collective in South Carolina in July 2024!  

At the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), we’re committed to leveraging every tool in our arsenal to champion gender justice. Our approach has always been to uplift and center BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) leaders, as well as individuals with lived expertise of our core issues, and respond to the identified needs of marginalized communities. 

The inaugural Community Impact Fund (CIF)—administered by the Child Care and Income Security team but with decision-making power shared by a committee of state-based organizations and community members—has a vision of widening and strengthening the movement for progressive and equitable gender justice policies.   

The Design and Advisory Committee guided the development and execution of the CIF over twelve months from June 2023 to June 2024.  Members of the Design and Advisory  Committee are: OLE`(New Mexico), Semilla Project (New Mexico), Patty Ortiz (community member, Sparking Change storyteller, New Mexico), Metanoia (South Carolina), YWCA of Greater Charleston (South Carolina), and Chantelle Mitchell (community member, Sparking Change storyteller- South Carolina).  

As a group, they identified the problem the Fund would solve, the target population to benefit from the Fund, developed theories of change, the types of solutions that would be funded, and ultimately decided who received the grant funding. At the end of twelve months, and after careful proposal review and scoring, the Committee made the exciting decision to fund two organizations, one in South Carolina and one in New Mexico, advocating for policies that improve compensation for early childhood educators within their state.  

2024 Grantees

Partnership for Community Action

For over 30 years, the Partnership for Community Action has worked to build strong, healthy communities in Albuquerque’s South Valley and across New Mexico. PCA focuses on critical community issues like education, economic sustainability, health equity, and immigrant rights. Through raising awareness and advocacy opportunities, we support people and families in becoming strong leaders in their neighborhoods and in New Mexico. 

What They Will Do: Partnership for Community Action PCA) in New Mexico was selected by the Community Impact Fund for a 2024 – 2026 grant because of their outstanding commitment to advancing equity and justice for marginalized communities through systemic change and community empowerment. 

With this funding, PCA will work through their Early Childhood Education (ECE) Budget Coalition, to:  

→ Track legislative progress and advocate for policy changes

→ Develop strategies toward a dignified and equitable wage and career ladder for early childhood educators

→ Host bi-weekly coalition meetings on early childhood education issues

→ Develop a policy agenda focused on ECE

→ Advocate for continued funding for the childcare sector and engage in other advocacy activities and,

→ Uplift the stories and experiences of their community

BEE Collective

Founded in 2017, the BEE Collective improves maternal, child, and family health equity in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. Their mission includes preparing children for kindergarten, supporting educator well-being, fostering resilient families, and reducing mental health stigma.  

What They Will Do: The BEE Collective in South Carolina was selected by the Community Impact Fund for a 2024 – 2026 grant because of their proven dedication to increasing wellness and improving the quality of life of, and providing care and education to children, and engaging their community on a path from input to empowerment, where those most affected by the issues are leading the charge and effectively resourced.

With this funding, The BEE Collective will amplify the voices of African American and Latine women in the early care workforce by:  

→ Hosting community listening sessions, surveys, and interviews  

→ community support by collaborating with local organizations and advocacy groups, and craft tailored training and professional development programs for early childhood educators

→ In partnership with organizations like the Charleston Area Justice Ministry (CAJM) and the YWCA of Greater Charleston, they will engage stakeholders at all levels to advocate for fair compensation and healthcare benefits for educators

Design and Advisory Committee

New Mexico

OLÉ is a non-profit grassroots member organization based in New Mexico, dedicated to empowering working families since 2009. Through issue-based campaigns and electoral engagement, OLÉ strengthens communities and ensures that working families have a unified voice in shaping New Mexico’s future. The organization prioritizes centering the experiences of Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), system-impacted individuals, renters, early educators, parents, workers, and immigrants. OLÉ provides leadership development opportunities and advocates for lasting change, creating a space for people to grow their leadership and foster impactful community transformation in New Mexico. 

New Mexico

The Semilla Project prepares a strong generation of emerging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) climate and racial justice leaders for action. Founded in 2021 by Black, Indigenous, Women of Color (BIWOC) activists with extensive organizing and leadership experience, The Semilla Project centers directly-impacted peoples; the lived experiences of their staff and communities drives their work with immigrant, undocumented, Indigenous, and youth of color across the Southwest region.   

New Mexico

Patty Alma Patricia Ortiz is a dedicated 36-year-old mother of three who, following the loss of her husband five years ago, has shown remarkable resilience and commitment to her community. In January of this year, Alma opened a home-based daycare that currently enrolls five children between the ages of 4 and 9. In addition to her daycare, Alma leads a support group for home-based child care providers, focusing on policies affecting the Hispanic community. She offers guidance on accessing services to enhance their caregiving capabilities and keeps them informed about changes from the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD).  

South Carolina

Metanoia Community Development Corporation (CDC) was founded in 2002 by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina (CBFSC) leaders Evelyn Oliveira and Bill Stanfield. Born out of a year of listening to Chicora-Cherokee residents in North Charleston, Metanoia began with an afterschool enrichment program and has since evolved into a comprehensive community development initiative.  Focused on fostering community strengths and partnerships, Metanoia is committed to alleviating childhood poverty and promoting sustainable growth in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Operating with an asset-based approach, Metanoia amplifies opportunities for thriving families and communities in southern North Charleston.

South Carolina

YWCA Greater Charleston has been dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women in the Charleston region for over a century.  Today, YWCA Greater Charleston hosts South Carolina’s largest MLK tribute, hosts their Racial Equity & Inclusion workshops and empowers girls through tech-focused programs like Y Girls Code clubs and leadership initiatives like SheStrong. Committed to promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity, YWCA Greater Charleston continues to be a leading nonprofit in the community, fostering partnerships and creating innovative solutions to meet community needs and impact future generations.  

South Carolina

Chantelle  is a mother of 6 beautiful children, a youth/family advocate, a motivational speaker, a life coach, and a future inspiring author. Chantelle is participating in Sparking Change because it is our stories that will bring awareness and change. By sharing her story, she hopes she will bring education and awareness and find solutions to help combat the issues that her community faces daily.  

For further information, or to learn more about the Community Impact Fund, email Toni Francis-Bowie at [email protected] or Jenn McBarnette at [email protected].