Introducing our 2021 Advancing Disability Justice Grant Recipients

Philanthropy continues to fail in recognizing and addressing ableism. We obstruct equity and justice when we refuse to recognize disability, neurodivergent and d/Deaf identity among our leaders, organizations and communities, and when we uphold barriers to accessing grant funds. That’s why Northwest Health Foundation established the Advancing DIsability Justice program. Advancing Disability Justice Grants recognize and support disabled BIPOC leaders and disability-led programs in our region.

We are pleased to announce six 2021 Advancing Disability Justice grantees selected by our community advisors and staff to receive a total of $46,600: 

• Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon Communities United Fund

• Black & Beyond the Binary Collective

• Disability Refugee Community 

• Disability Art and Culture Project

• El Programa Hispano Católico

• The Ebony Collective CDC

Here is what we heard from applicants: 

“At the end of the day, we are ultimately responsible for helping to keep each other safe. Disability justice does just that! We are able to meet people where their needs are and rebuke a system built on white supremacy and capitalism. Our project works to uplift the very real experiences that Black QT (Queer and Trans) disabled folx face vs any preconceived ableist notions of “normal” which has always been a highly racialized and gendered term. Our project serves to empower and educate!”

“[Our project] creates access to these learning spaces and will help Disabled and Deaf BIPOC grow skills that allow their expertise and access needs to help shape a more equitable regional non-profit ecosystem.”

“Access for the sake of access, advocating for access just to check off a box is not necessarily liberatory - rather, we strive for access in the sake of connection, justice, community, love, and liberation. We believe that Disability Justice is another word for love, care, and community.”

The Advancing Disability Justice program is a partnership between Northwest Health Foundation and The Collins Foundation to support disability justice leadership in our region. This is the second of a three-year grant program. Advancing Disability Justice Grants are available for groups led by disabled Black, Indigenous or other people of color (BIPOC), or BIPOC-led groups that have disabled BIPOC leadership for the project. Projects are led by and focus on disabled BIPOC in Oregon and Southwest Washington.