Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund

About this program

Belonging in Oakland: A Just City Cultural Fund is a public–private partnership led by the City of Oakland’s Cultural Affairs Division with the Akonadi Foundation and East Bay Community Foundation, supported by the Surdna Foundation, funding three-year collaborations that use arts and culture to develop culturally informed policy prototypes and narrative strategies for racial and social justice. The Fund will award up to three partnerships with $100,000 per year for three years, plus an annual $12,000 life‑sustaining stipend for participating artist(s) and up to $25,000 for documentation, together with peer‑learning and networking support. Eligible lead applicants are Oakland‑based nonprofits or fiscally sponsored projects with a demonstrated record of shaping racial/social justice policy or practice, partnered with civically engaged Oakland artists/cultural practitioners rooted in communities most affected by systemic racism; awardees must submit an MOU, produce a civic‑facing policy change prototype, and comply with negotiated annual reporting and renewal requirements. Applications are currently closed and are expected to reopen in Spring or Summer 2026.