Our Work

Racial Justice

Systemic racism as a detrimental barrier preventing communities of color from accessing the same opportunities as their white peers. This substantially impacts outcomes within health, income, education, and much more — ultimately impacting the success of our entire communities. More specifically, communities of color have been systematically kept from building wealth and accessing positions of power in our communities, even by organizations and institutions trying to do good.

United Way of Lane County recognizes we cannot improve outcomes for children without explicitly addressing systemic racism, investing deeply in underserved communities, and allowing historically marginalized communities to lead. Learn more about our commitment to Equity and Inclusion here.

“Each and every one of us needs to understand that we have that responsibility, and we need to find what speaks to us. There’s so much work that needs to be done. ”

— Ruby Bridges, during United Way's 2021 conversation on racial justice

United Way’s Racial Justice Fund

investing in community-led solutions to advance racial justice

Alma Fumiko Hesus shares about the intention for this new fund.

In 2021, United Way began a long-term commitment to invest substantial resources in communities of color to build power, influence, access, and wealth: by launching a new Racial Justice Fund. The fund is guided by an advisory council of local leaders of color and is continually being shaped by listening sessions and conversations with people of color throughout Lane County. Learn what we heard from our last round of listening sessions here.

$50,000 Invested in Spring of 2023

Thanks to donations from over 200 local community members, United Way was able to distribute a total of $50,000 to ten initiatives led by or serving people of color this past spring. These grants are building support for Black students, funding Indigenous mentorship programs, providing advocacy for Latinx families in the education system, and more.

28 initiatives applied for funding, totaling $132,600 in requests. For a few of these initiatives, this Racial Justice funding is the first grant they have ever received.

United Way Racial Justice Grantees

Xcape Dance Company
Escudo Latino
BLACKS
Lift Every Voice
Ecostudies Institute’s Willamette Valley Fire Collaboration

Refugee and Immigrant Services of Catholic Community Services of Lane County
Human Rights Human Stories
Lane Arts Council
Solid Strides
King Silky’s Blessing Boxes

Escudo Latino. *Credit: Ophelia Guzman Photography*

“I want to thank United Way, because I had a vision. And they didn’t just believe in my vision, but they supported that vision with funds. And this is how I was able to really get BLACKS off the ground. I originally applied with a fiscal sponsor, and after I received the grant, now I have a 501c3... so I’m very thankful to United Way for that opportunity.”

— Dr. Brenda Joyce Sanders, founder, BLACKS

Learn more about each of these projects on our stories page.

Learn more

Want to support future racial justice grantees?

Give to the Racial Justice Fund today

Other ways to support the Racial Justice Fund

Sign up for the Racial Justice Fund newsletter here to receive updates about the fund, the application process, and more (to subscribe to United Way’s general eNews list, fill out the form here).
Invite us to connect with your organizations/affiliations. Our team is eager to share about the fund with your business, community group, church, or organization! Contact us at racialjustice@unitedwaylane.org or 541-357-5713.
Share with your communities. We hope to hear from folks of color throughout Lane County. If you know of anyone who would be interested in sharing feedback and ideas, please encourage them to get involved with the opportunities listed above.
Donate. Help us grow the Racial Justice Fund in Lane County. Give Today.