"The purpose of the Social Justice Endowment is to promote the social application of Unitarian Universalist religious principles. In accord with the policy of the Board of Trustees that discourages contributions toward specific, ordinary items in the operating budget, proceeds from the Social Justice Endowment could support the following programs and activities: (1) participation by Church members or youth in social justice programs operated by the Church; (2) participation by Church members or youth in social justice programs operated by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee; (3) participation by Church members or youth in social justice programs operated by other groups which are largely in sympathy with the social appliaction of Unitarian Universalist religious principles: (4) proportional compenstation for any Church staff member for whom social justice work is a primary responsibility; (5) expenses incurred by the Church in connection with providing space for meetings and other activities of social justice groups or social service groups from the larger community; (6) social justice conferences or workshops sponsored or hosted by the Church; (7) social justice lectures or speeches or presentations or sermons sponsored or hosted by the church; (8) training for Church members or youth to enable their participation in organized social justice efforts; (9) other programs and activities that could be classified as 'extras and externals.'"
Members of the Social Justice Endowment Committee include: Pat Ulbrich, chair (2011)
Gunilla Nordhammar (2010)
Maureen Porter (2012)
Rev. David Herndon (ex officio)
Ward Kelsey (ex officio)
The Social Justice Endowment Committee offers the following statement with regard to their grant-making process:
Social Justice: Social justice refers to the concept of a society in which justice is achieved in every aspect of society, rather than merely the administration of law. A just world affords individuals and groups fair treatment and an impartial share of the benefits of society, regard-less of class, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability, or health.
Purpose: The purpose of the Social Justice Endowment (SJE) is to promote the social application of Unitarian Universalist religious principles:
--The inherent worth and dignity of every person
--Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
--Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
--A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
--The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process without our congregations and in society at large
--The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
--Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Proceeds from the SJE will be used to support programs and activities that promote the social application of Unitarian Universalist principles and are not part of the operating budget at the First Unitarian Church. Proposals to fund programs and activities should be submitted to the SJE Committee for consideration.
A Framework for Proposals: The SJE will grants are focused on high-impact projects aimed at seeding and achieving social justice. Proposed projects should create tangible shifts and/or systemic solutions to current injustices. There are several key features of systemic change. Most notably, systemic change:
--Changes ideas, assumptions, attitudes and behaviors;
--Reaches beyond the immediate project or First Church;
--Is sustainable: change continues to occur even after direct intervention ends; and
Requires the use of multiple and coordinated strategies and activities.
Below are three indicators of systemic change, which the SJE Committee will use to evaluate all proposals. Does your project aim at achieving at least one of the following indicators?
1. Changing how people are thinking and talking about an issue.
By the conclusion of your project, you will have raised awareness, introduced new language, and reframed the discussion of the social justice issue you are addressing among both program participants and community members (the community may be defined as the church or the wider community).
2. Engaging people and communities in civic action.
You will have inspired people and communities to engage in civic action to eradicate or improve the issue your project addresses. You will have moved the community to join with First Church in ending a form of social injustice.
3. Developing or changing public or corporate policy.
Systemic obstacles to social justice will be overcome through the adoption of new laws, policies, or practices. These new policies, aimed at increased fairness and opportunities for individuals and groups in Pittsburgh, will be a result of your efforts.
Criteria: The initial criteria for SJE funded projects shall be:
1. The project must address a social issue that has been ignored by, or not impacted by, current efforts or traditional approaches.
2. Priority will be given to projects that involve:
--Participation by Church members or youth in social justice programs operated by First Church;
--Participation by Church members or youth in social justice programs operated by other groups which are largely in sympathy with the social application of Unitarian Universalist religious principles;
--Social justice conferences or workshops sponsored or hosted by the Church;
--Social justice lectures or speeches or presentations or sermons sponsored or hosted by Church;
--Training for Church members or youth to enable their participation in organized social justice efforts; and
--Other programs and activities that could be classified as “extras and externals” to the operating budget.
3. The SJE will fund projects in which objectives are defined and their accomplishment will be measured. These objectives may not be as widespread as the elimination of the social injuustice, but could instead address intermediate objectives of drawing attention to the problem, tackling one aspect of it, or preparing for a larger, more sustained effort.
Types of Support:
Small Grants
--Support for time-sensitive change projects; must be submitted 60 days prior to event or project
--Maximum grant will be $250
Project Support Grants
--Support for large scale initiatives aiming at achieving social justice. Submission deadlines are April 15th and October 15th for funding on July 1st and January 1st, respectively
--Maximum grant will be $1000