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1. Organizations or groups that promote social justice by building and provoking work against oppression. The María Fund's political justice social ideology is rooted in intersectional political analysis, including but not limited to race, gender identity, sexual orientation, functional diversity, class, age, nationality, or provenance. We are committed to a broader and more just movement, building and connecting with grassroots and political organizations that seek to eradicate the oppressive structures that cross us on a daily basis.
   

2. Organizations or groups that do organizing work. From the María Fund we recognize the importance of organizing as a strategy to build popular power among directly oppressed people. Our commitment is to and with the grassroots and social organizations whose work seeks to change the oppressive policies and structures that cross them on a daily and sustained basis. These groups create systemic changes through a planned series of events or activities that alter unjust power relations, through strategies such as:

   • Campaigns

   • Base building

   • Cultural and / or artistic political work
     

3. Organizations or groups that with their work support the work of organizing other groups. Developing trainings, workshops and tools to build and share knowledge and skills that promote the growth of the community. These groups create systemic changes through a planned series of events or activities that alter unjust power relations, through strategies such as:

   • Healing Justice.

   • Legal and advocacy support.

   • Analysis and / or development of public policy.

   • Training or capacity building for leaders and organizations.

   • Communications or alternative means.

   • Language justice
     

4. Organizations or groups that address structural causes, working together to change the policies and / or practices of public or private institutions that affect a broad group of people. In their efforts to achieve systemic changes, these groups recognize their roots (for example: patriarchy, colonialism, racism, sexism, transphobia, capitalism, neoliberalism, imperialism, among others).
   

5. Organizations or groups made up and / or led by people directly affected by the social problems they are seeking to change. They develop leadership skills and practices among their membership and promote active participation in the organization's decision making.

Given the limited resources of this fund, priority will be given to:

1. Organizations or groups that meet eligibility criteria.

2. Organizations or groups that we have supported previously.

We do not give grants to the following:

1. Organizations focused solely on offering direct services. The Maria Fund is one of the few funds intended to support nonpartisan political organization strategies, and we are committed to this direction in awarding grants.

2. Organizations based outside of Puerto Rico. We are currently focused solely on supporting local organizations to strengthen the social justice ecosystem in Puerto Rico.

3. For-profit organizations or partisan organizations.

4. Individuals, scholarships, boarding schools, fees or school fees.

5. Groups or organizations that demonstrate an intolerant attitude towards others based on age, gender, sex, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, religion or worship, class or sexual orientation.

We have developed criteria aligned with our values to guide our decision-making process for awarding grants this cycle. Organizations or groups that understand that they meet 2 or more of the criteria for eligibility are welcomed to to apply.

Note: We recognize the conditions and the limited time everyone has in these moments. To support your process, we recommend you (1) download the questions in a PDF format to read and answer with your team, or (2) choose the option to "save"your application” option on the platform to access and finish it at a later time. After saving it, you will receive an email with the draft of your application.