The Unity Fund, managed by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, was established to catalyze equity and justice for people of African Heritage within the community. It aims to provide targeted support that enables African Heritage persons to more fully access and enjoy the benefits of the wider community. This fund is supported by foundational partners including the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, the Ordean Foundation, and Generations Health Care Initiatives.

The fund prioritizes several key areas, including advancing racial equity and sustainability, creating physically and culturally safe spaces for African Heritage individuals, and increasing community engagement in anti-racism efforts. It supports programs that raise awareness of systemic racial inequities and promote education, leadership development, and relationship-building across cultural lines. It also seeks to dismantle systemic discrimination across key societal sectors such as health, wealth, policing, housing, education, and transportation.

Funding is available to organizations conducting relevant community-building activities. Examples of eligible projects include celebrations, historical events, artistic expressions, and capacity-building activities such as securing additional funding or sustaining existing programs. Grants support both individual organizations and collaborative initiatives involving multiple partners.

To be eligible, applicants must be located in or provide services to residents within Duluth, Superior, Hermantown, Proctor, Rice Lake, and the Iron Range communities. Eligible entities include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, governmental entities under Section 170(c)(1), Section 7871 Tribal governments, churches, and organizations with a fiscal sponsor that meets one of these classifications.

Funding ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 for individual organizations, and up to $25,000 for collaborative efforts led by a designated lead applicant. The application process involves submitting a basic form through the foundation’s grant portal and participating in a meeting with the Unity Fund Committee, which is composed of African American and African Heritage leaders. The committee will assess proposals based on the presentation and recommend funding decisions to the foundation’s Board of Trustees or Executive Committee.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Decisions are typically communicated within two months of application, and successful applicants will receive their grant checks shortly thereafter. Grantees are expected to complete a Grant Story form to help the foundation share the impact of funded projects and potentially attract further donations to the Unity Fund.