Friday, October 2, 2015
Noyes Foundation Launches New Funding Initiative: Building Power Across Movements
Building Power Across Movements (BPAM) supports cross-issue work by organizations serving constituents with diverse identities who are directly affected by multiple systems of oppression in order to build a broad, progressive social justice movement. BPAM advances the Noyes theory of change that speaks to the importance of social movements in bringing about a more just, equitable and sustainable world. BPAM is a one-year, general support grant of $50,000 that can be renewed.
The Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) is the first BPAM recipient. Founded in 1994 as a statewide, multi-issue coalition, PLAN works to deepen democracy and achieve greater social justice in Nevada. Its 27 dues-paying member groups include labor, conservation, LGBT, immigrants, people of color constituencies, and women. It has offices in Las Vegas and Reno.
PLAN uses leadership development, research, direct action and grassroots organizing to build power and create more humane and sustainable solutions to Nevada’s problems. Among the issues it works on are economic and environmental justice, racial equity, mining, immigration, and health care. PLAN engages in year-round voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts that lift up marginalized communities, and pursues policies around campaign finance reform, voting rights, and electoral reform. It also has a robust communications strategy that includes programming for KXNV “Radio Free Nevada,” a community radio station.
BPAM grantees use the four strategies of the Noyes Foundation’s Movement Building Functions: (1) Engaging Affected People; (2) Exerting Strong Voices; (3) Expanding Influence; and (4) Intervening for Systemic Change. Grantees reflect a constituency that has been marginalized; have a governing body and staff made up of their constituents; and engage in leadership development and recruitment. BPAM grantees address issues of race, class and gender in their work and throughout their organizations, and are committed to active civic engagement.
The BPAM funding initiative supplements the Foundation’s current funding for Environmental Justice, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Reproductive Rights, and the New York City Environment.