National Day of Racial Healing 2027 Grant Application

National Day of Racial Healing 2027 Grants

Foundation for Louisiana is proud to launch a grant opportunity for community-based organizations in Louisiana to deepen their approaches to racial healing.

In alignment with the National Day of Racial Healing in January 2027, we will award eighteen (18) grants of up to $5,000 each to support Louisiana-based organizations in strengthening their internal and/or external racial healing practices. Grantees will use the National Day of Racial Healing Conversation Guide and related resources as a foundation to design staff engagements, community events, or other healing-centered processes that reflect their unique histories, cultures, and lived experiences.

This opportunity is designed not just for public programming but also to support organizations in answering the question: What does racial healing look like for us? Whether focused on internal team-building or broader community work, the goal is to build lasting practices rooted in truth-telling, relationship-building, and visioning for a more just and liberated Louisiana.

Participating organizations will adapt and implement the National Day of Racial Healing tools effectively between January 15 and January 24, and attend a shared learning roundtable after their events to help inform Foundation for Louisiana’s future racial healing initiatives.

This grant opportunity is part of Foundation for Louisiana’s ongoing commitment to investing in truth-telling, movement-building, and healing justice. We welcome applications from organizations deeply connected to their communities and committed to advancing racial equity and collective healing.

Timeline:

• August 11, 2026: RFP opens
• August 20, 2026: Grant Opportunity Information Session
• September 4, 2026: RFP closes
• October 27, 2026: Award Announcement
• January 15 - 24, 2027: National Day of Racial Healing Events are held
• February 2027: Shared Learning Roundtable

Eligibility:  Eligible organizations must:

• Have 501c3 determination or a fiscal sponsor
• Be located and work in Louisiana (note: If fiscally sponsored, fiscal sponsor does not have to be based in Louisiana)
• Implement the project between January 15–24, 2027
• Use the National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) tools to design and implement the event

Priority will be given to organizations working directly with marginalized communities and those addressing racial disparities in the criminal legal system, youth justice, separation and housing justice, economic justice, and climate justice.

Mini-grants may be used to support:

• Racial healing circles and community dialogue events: Facilitated discussions where participants engage in storytelling and active listening to process racial trauma collectively, fostering cross-racial understanding and empathy.
• Workshops: Educational sessions aimed at deepening understanding of racism’s impact and promoting community-based solutions.
• Arts and culture events: Creative initiatives such as poetry performances, theatre productions, visual art exhibits, and film screenings that center racial justice themes.
• Healing justice events: Community gatherings incorporating healing practices such as yoga, guided meditation, and movement therapy.
• General support for event logistics: Funds may be used for food and drink, venue rental, on-site childcare, facilitator and artist honoraria, internet connectivity, audio-visual needs, and more.

Selection Criteria:  Applications that meet eligibility requirements will be scored in the following areas:

• Mission Alignment  We prioritize organizations whose mission and goals reflect a commitment to expand opportunity and wellbeing across the state and to strengthen the conditions that help every Louisianan live a safe, stable, connected, and dignified life.
• Alignment with Racial Healing  We’re looking to partner with organizations that are actively engaging in racial healing. That might look like long-standing racial healing practices, newly emerging approaches, or thoughtful plans to integrate healing into your internal culture or community work. We welcome a wide range of interpretations of what racial healing looks like for your organization.
• Community Connection & Engagement  Strong proposals will come from organizations that are deeply rooted in their communities. We value applications that show how you listen to and are guided by the people you serve, especially in the design and implementation of your programming.
• Project Design & Use of National Day Of Racial Healing Tools  Organizations must use the National Day of Racial Healing conversation and event guides as their foundation; we are eager to see how you make them your own. We welcome proposals that reflect the history, culture, and lived realities of your community — using the National Day of Racial Healing tools as a framework to shape your event, staff engagement, or other racial healing-centered process.
• Budget & Use of Funds  We ask that your budget clearly reflect the work you are planning to do. We understand that organizations operate with different levels of infrastructure, so we are not looking for perfection, just clarity about and alignment between your intentions, your activities, and your use of funds.

More Information

We’re hosting a virtual info session on Thursday, August 20, 12pm - 1pm. Click here to RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5kr7c4Iw0oI5r2MgP-g_bhUjLjLAhkeXEb8-RP4g6dcN5LQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102890410070893977112

An FAQ with more information about eligibility and funding range can be found here.

Resources and support for using our online application portal, Submittable, is available here.

Do you have questions about this opportunity, eligibility, or how to prepare your application materials? Want to discuss accommodations for people with disabilities?  Other questions or concerns? Email us at grants@foundationforlouisiana.org.