Thriving neighborhoods, community-led
We cultivate, empower and support grassroots leaders in driving community-led change
Community-led initiatives focusing on uplifting BIPOC grassroots leaders in low-income neighborhoods are an untapped solution with significant potential for impact.
Less than 4% of foundation giving targets grassroots organizers of color (RacialEquity.org).
Community members who have lived experience — many of whom have worked in their neighborhoods for decades — are seen as small, low-impact and risky. Instead of building them up as leaders for social change, resources are poured into outside stakeholders who do not understand the problems intimately and are not incentivized to stay.
Grassroots leaders, in contrast, are:
Have local knowledge, lived experience, are immersed in community context, and are trusted by their neighbors
Have unrivaled dedication, because their home is where they work; because they are not serving “clients” – they are serving their neighbors, friends and family.
Are often taking on multiple jobs, paying out of pocket to test models that are providing critical community services.
They are residents of the community.
They live there.
They breathe the air there.
They walk the streets there.
They go to school there.
They send their kids to school there.
They are neighbors with people there.
Who are grassroots leaders?
“I want to open a clinic in Kensington and being in this program helps because it teaches you what to look for in your community”
— Emely, 2021 + 2022 Fellow
98%
Of our participants self-identify as BIPOC
16%
Increase, on average, of confidence in public speaking abilities from our youth participants
10%
Increase, on average, of belief they can bring change to their communities from our youth
100%
Of our participants would recommend the program to another person they know
Show up for our communities every single day.
At BOLT, our commitment to communities is year-round—it doesn’t end with elections. The real everyday leaders are grassroots leaders: people who live here, breathe the air here, and serve their neighbors with love, grace, and perseverance.
If you hosted events, knocked on doors, volunteered or donated this election season, don’t stop now. Beautiful things happen every day in Philly because of these leaders.
To keep making a difference—donate, support, and volunteer for grassroots organizations led by people who live here.
