Two donors.
Two donors.
Nine women of color movement leaders.
Nine women of color movement leaders.
$75 million.
$75 million.
A radical experiment where donors ceded control to movement leaders to distribute funds at an unprecedented scale. This is the story of the Environmental Justice Resourcing Collective.
A radical experiment where donors ceded control to movement leaders to distribute funds at an unprecedented scale. This is the story of the Environmental Justice Resourcing Collective.
IMPACT
IMPACT
*Data compiled in October 2026
*Data compiled in October 2026
“
Releasing control of wealth can feel daunting, but this is what practicing solidarity with movement looks like in action. For the past six years, we have had the privilege of learning from this incredible group of leaders. They each have deep roots building organizations, alliances, and movements across geographies and issues. They immediately knew who was doing the most impactful work, and how to support whole ecosystems. It’s meaningful to know that by relinquishing control, we created the conditions for
Releasing control of wealth can feel daunting, but this is what practicing solidarity with movement looks like in action. For the past six years, we have had the privilege of learning from this incredible group of leaders. They each have deep roots building organizations, alliances, and movements across geographies and issues. They immediately knew who was doing the most impactful work, and how to support whole ecosystems. It’s meaningful to know that by relinquishing control, we created the conditions for
a real shift in power.
a real shift in power.
— Regan Pritzker and Christopher Olin,
Kataly Board Members
Why Movement-Led Grantmaking
Why Movement-Led Grantmaking
When grantmaking is led by people who have been doing work on the ground in their communities, the impact is felt immediately and exponentially.
Movement leaders have the strongest analysis of where resources are needed most because they are in the work and in constant communication with organizers, policy advocates, artists, and everyday people. In times of crisis, they know who can be trusted to serve communities effectively, and they have an eye towards meeting urgent short-term needs, while also building long-term infrastructure.
Rather than expending time and money on field scans and mapping, grassroots leaders utilize knowledge and relationships built over decades to identify highly effective organizations that may not be on the radar of most foundation staff. They understand that no one organization can win alone, and that lasting change depends on strengthening ecosystems.
When grantmaking is led by people who have been doing work on the ground in their communities, the impact is felt immediately and exponentially.
Movement leaders have the strongest analysis of where resources are needed most because they are in the work and in constant communication with organizers, policy advocates, artists, and everyday people. In times of crisis, they know who can be trusted to serve communities effectively, and they have an eye towards meeting urgent short-term needs, while also building long-term infrastructure.
Rather than expending time and money on field scans and mapping, grassroots leaders utilize knowledge and relationships built over decades to identify highly effective organizations that may not be on the radar of most foundation staff. They understand that no one organization can win alone, and that lasting change depends on strengthening ecosystems.
Photo by Jeff Chen and Bethanie Hines
About the Collective
About the Collective
Nine women of color movement leaders formed the EJRC in 2020. Their expertise spans decades, issues, and geographies. In six years, they have moved nearly $70 million to 190 movement groups. By the end of 2028, they will have strengthened diverse movement ecosystems by redistributing $75 million.
Learn more about their story.
Photo by Jeff Chen and Bethanie Hines
Resources
Resources
Medium
•
The Kataly Foundation
Medium
•
The Kataly Foundation
Medium
•
The Kataly Foundation
Medium
•
The Kataly Foundation
Stanford Social Innovation Review
•
Enei Begaye & Colette Pichon Battle
Stanford Social Innovation Review
•
Enei Begaye & Colette Pichon Battle
Inside Philanthropy
•
Deb Nelson
Inside Philanthropy
•
Deb Nelson
Join Us
Resource the grantees of Environmental Justice Resourcing Collective, contact us, or join existing funder learning communities.
Join Us
Resource the grantees of Environmental Justice Resourcing Collective, contact us, or join existing funder learning communities.