We Are Family Foundation

✊ Creatives fuel hope. We fund them. ✊ We’re thrilled to announce the launch of applications for Youth To The Front Fund’s “The Creatives” Frontliners, powered by We Are Family Foundation! With grants from $1,000 and up to $20,000, this is a call for Artist Collectives, Cultural Storytellers, Creative Organizers, and Heritage Keepers centering BIPOC, under 30 years old, who use art to fight systemic racism, inequality, inequity, and injustice in local and global communities. Through “The Creatives” Frontliners, we are supporting justice-driven projects in the spaces of visual, performance, and musical arts, writing, cultural storytelling, creative organizing, holistic health practices, wellness, community sports initiatives, and more that focus on the following pillars in their approach: Civics & Community Engagement, Education Equity, Climate Justice, Arts & Social Justice, Health & Healing Justice. DEADLINE: Apply now through August 16, 2024, at 11:59PM EST. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eMR_UNKp 🌐 “The Creatives” Frontliners featured in this graphic are: Kreşendo [Crescendo]: Bu Festival Bizim (The Ours Festival), Other Village People, Keith Dang (Open Jam Collective), Yetunde Sapp, The Space Botswana (Atang L.S Arnold), and Laura Devia López (“A Piece of Peace”) #WeAreFamily #YouthToTheFrontFund #TheCreatives #ArtForChange #GrantsForCreatives

🌟 What happens when creativity meets community impact? What happens when creativity meets social justice? Or when creativity meets climate justice? 🌟

 “The Creatives” Frontliners are driven by a shared vision for a brighter future, harnessing their talents and art to make a difference. Thanks to the support of We Are Family Foundation, they've expanded their impact and reached new heights. Ready to join them? Apply to Youth To The Front Fund “The Creatives” Frontliners for up to $20,000 in grants to fuel your artistic changemaking initiatives. Deadline: August 16, 2024, 11:59 PM EST. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eMR_UNKp “The Creatives” Frontliners featured: Electrazie Rajab, Pembe Tokluhan & Petok Productions, Sandrine Uwase Ndahiro & Unapologetic Magazine, Irene Franco Rubio & If You’re Feelin’ Civic, Logan Stacer, M.A. & Heartland Arts KC, Keith Dang & Open Jam Collective, Dena Igusti, Amanda Kamanda, Miles Iton & LoFi Language Learning, Naomi Urey & Squidpunk!

“Fat folx face a unique set of challenges and ‘lose weight’ is far from being the solution to these problems. To me, the answer is community.” – Hemakshi Huge congratulations to WAFF Creatives queerbeat on publishing their first youth group essay! This powerful piece delves into the intersections of fatness, queerness, and disability, emphasizing how these identities shape experiences and perceptions. The essay, penned by writer Hemakshi, sheds light on these intersections, challenging societal norms and embracing all aspects of identity. It's a call to action for greater inclusivity and representation in both media and society. Shoutout to queerbeat on this significant milestone! Read the piece here: https://lnkd.in/ea5TE2Ef

“To create social change and to contribute to a democratic life, we must engage in co-creation that is based on collective thinking and collective learning.” – Kreşendo [Crescendo], Youth To The Front Fund (YTTFF) “The Creatives” Frontliners, 2023 Youth To The Front Fund supports creatives under 30 years old worldwide who use their work to fight systemic racism, injustice, and inequality — just like the impactful projects featured here: 1. Bu Festival Bizim (The Ours Festival) by Kreşendo [Crescendo] is a summit offering women and LGBTQ+ people a platform to explore creative ventures at the intersection of music and technology, fostering inspiration within an ethos of gender equality and sustainability. 2. "Madawa," a film in development by Musila Munuve's Musuviwa Productions, challenges prevalent portrayals of addiction, particularly within Black communities, shifting away from isolating depictions to ones that foster empathy. 3. Founded by Amanda Kamanda, The Trans B n B Project (Trans Black and Brown) supports transgender women of color by addressing the intersectional oppression they face due to race, gender, and socio-economic status. 4. Community Sound Tapestry, an initiative by Zavia Jenkins, uses sound and acoustic ecology to capture the evolution of cultural traditions, oral histories, and the surrounding natural environment as they are impacted by climate change, policy, gentrification, and development. Are you a young creative adding your voice to the call for social and systemic change? Apply to YTTFF "The Creatives" for up to $20,000 in grants to fuel your artistic changemaking initiative. Deadline: August 16, 2024, 11:59 PM EST. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eMR_UNKp

July 2024 Opportunities for Young Changemakers & Youth Leaders 👇 Opportunity: We are excited to announce the launch of the 2024 Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund (RTYPF) funded in part by our friends at Omidyar Network, Hopelab, and PIVOTAL. The RTYPF will award grants ranging between $25,000 and $150,000 — based on the stage of the project and funding needs.  Eligibility: Youth- and intergenerationally-led 501(c)(3) public charity-eligible organizations and initiatives working in the responsible technology movement Deadline: August 9, 2024 Apply: www.rtyouthpower.org Opportunity: Are you a creative or collective tackling systemic injustice and inequity through your work? With grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000, Youth To The Front Fund “The Creatives” Frontliners 2024 supports justice-driven projects in visual, performance, and musical arts, writing, cultural storytelling, creative organizing, holistic health practices, wellness, community sports initiatives, and more.   Eligibility: BIPOC & BIPOC-ally creatives and collectives under 30 years old Deadline: August 16, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/eMR_UNKp   Opportunity: The The Ellison Scholars Programme offers a comprehensive academic scholarship that fully funds course fees for undergraduate or graduate study at the University of Oxford. Eligibility: Individuals from around the world who are passionate about solving humanity’s most serious problems Deadline: August 1, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/g6bp74h4 Opportunity: The UN SDG Action Campaign invites artists to exhibit their work in support of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Selected artists will have the opportunity to showcase their art at key UN high-level conferences and initiatives.  Eligibility: Artists worldwide Deadline: August 15, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/e7BW62vr Opportunity: The Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) research program is seeking applications for Research Fellows. These fellows will lead and develop research and outreach on themes related to conflict, climate, stability, governance, and enablers of conflict and peace across borders. Eligibility: Applicants with strong communication and interpersonal skills Deadline: August 19, 2024 Apply: https://lnkd.in/ec-phrJw Opportunity: Skin Deep Magazine is calling for submissions from students participating in encampments and occupations for Palestine. Paid opportunity!  Eligibility: Priority given to Palestinian students, Muslim students, and racialised students with lived experience of the issues being written about Deadline: Rolling, see website for details Apply: https://lnkd.in/e42U7BQ4 #WeAreFamily: Any other opportunities that all our changemaking youth leaders should know about? Drop the info here! 👇

"What will our collective future, where we are all thriving, look like?" – Kukily Colectivo, Youth To The Front Fund (YTTFF) “The Creatives” Frontliners, 2023 Motivated by this question, Kukily Collectivo's XTRÆNCESTRAL had been a dream since 2018, coming to fruition in 2024 at the Lagos Biennial in Nigeria, with support from We Are Family Foundation. In Kukily’s words, “The project takes shape as a multidisciplinary installation inhabited by five characters who come from an afrofuture where ancestrality, technology, and the natural world coexist.” “As YTTFF ‘The Creatives’ Frontliners, we were able to embark on this journey to Lagos, Nigeria where we created our largest-scale project to date. [...] We encourage fellow artists, cultural workers and creative folks to apply! Realizing XTRÆNCESTRAL, traveling to the African continent for such an important event, and connecting with so many interesting people who met for the Lagos Biennial was all quite literally a dream come true. And to make these big dreams happen, you need support. We couldn't have asked for a more supportive and encouraging team than WAFF.” Are you a young creative tackling systemic racism and inequality through your work? Apply to YTTFF “The Creatives” Frontliners for up to $20,000 in grants to fuel your artistic changemaking initiative. Deadline: August 16, 2024, 11:59 PM EST. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eMR_UNKp Video credits: Stephan Tory

“We are a team of youth who want to champion quality education in this community.” In the heart of Mukuru Kwa Reuben, children of all ages have found a safe haven at Badili Zone. When entering the brightly painted community library, every detail reaffirms that knowledge is power. Books. Computers. Desks. Mentorship. Information access. Resource sharing. Unwavering support. Most importantly, Badili Zone serves as a powerful community pillar for peace, for safety, and for hope. Here, every child is welcomed with open arms, embraced with the utmost love and care, and guided to fulfill their potential as the next generation leading the change — in Mukuru and beyond. *** In June 2023, We Are Family Foundation had the privilege of visiting several project sites of our Youth To The Front Fund Frontliners in Kenya, including Badili Zone Organization, founded by 2020 Frontliner Claris Nadini. Now, we are inviting more Artist Collectives, Cultural Storytellers, Creative Organizers, and Heritage Keepers to discover Youth To The Front Fund’s funding opportunity for “The Creatives.” Learn more about how to access grants up to $20,000 for creative justice-driven initiatives here: https://lnkd.in/eMR_UNKp #WeAreFamily #YouthToTheFrontFund #TheCreatives Video production credits: Production House: Panzigo   Director: Gathoni Stephanie Matu  DOP: enock oyoo  Production Manager: Natasha Migunda Second DOP: Macharia  Sound: Reuben Besa Additional Editing: Diego Paul "D" Sánchez

✊ Creatives fuel hope. We fund them. ✊ We’re thrilled to announce the launch of applications for Youth To The Front Fund’s “The Creatives” Frontliners, powered by We Are Family Foundation! With grants from $1,000 and up to $20,000, this is a call for Artist Collectives, Cultural Storytellers, Creative Organizers, and Heritage Keepers centering BIPOC, under 30 years old, who use art to fight systemic racism, inequality, inequity, and injustice in local and global communities. Through “The Creatives” Frontliners, we are supporting justice-driven projects in the spaces of visual, performance, and musical arts, writing, cultural storytelling, creative organizing, holistic health practices, wellness, community sports initiatives, and more that focus on the following pillars in their approach: Civics & Community Engagement, Education Equity, Climate Justice, Arts & Social Justice, Health & Healing Justice. DEADLINE: Apply now through August 16, 2024, at 11:59PM EST. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eMR_UNKp 🌐 “The Creatives” Frontliners featured in this graphic are: Kreşendo [Crescendo]: Bu Festival Bizim (The Ours Festival), Other Village People, Keith Dang (Open Jam Collective), Yetunde Sapp, The Space Botswana (Atang L.S Arnold), and Laura Devia López (“A Piece of Peace”) #WeAreFamily #YouthToTheFrontFund #TheCreatives #ArtForChange #GrantsForCreatives

Honoring Mattie's legacy on his birthday ❤️ Mattie J.T. Stepanek's words, spirit, peace, and kindness guide our mission every day at We Are Family Foundation. Thank you for being a shining light! Jeni Stepanek, PhD

“I am strong. I am capable. I can do anything.” Beyond a vibrant yellow mural in Kibera, ChezaCheza students are nurtured with unconditional love. Hands are gently held. Emotions are safely processed. Every person comes as they are, and they are deeply valued for it. And when movement begins, the safe space comes to life. The energy is electric, guided by African drums and roaring cheers from peers. Mentors glow with pride. Students glow with confidence. Smiles light up the room like fireworks. Day by day, Kibera is transforming before our very eyes — and ChezaCheza is leading the change. *** In June 2023, We Are Family Foundation had the privilege of visiting several project sites of our Youth To The Front Fund Frontliners in Kenya, including ChezaCheza Dance Foundation, co-founded by 2022 Frontliner Franco Odhiambo. Now, we are inviting more Artist Collectives, Cultural Storytellers, Creative Organizers, and Heritage Keepers to discover Youth To The Front Fund’s funding opportunity for “The Creatives” Frontliners. Learn more about how to access grants up to $20,000 for creative justice-driven initiatives @ link in bio! #WeAreFamily #YouthToTheFrontFund #TheCreatives Video production credits: Production House: Panzigo   Director: Gathoni - Stephanie Matu DOP: enock oyoo Production Manager: Natasha Migunda Second DOP: Macharia  Sound: Reuben Besa Additional Editing: Diego Paul "D" Sánchez