Gulf Coast Transformation Fellowship

New Voices, founded in 1999, aims to develop a new generation of diverse and progressive leaders dedicated to advancing social, economic, and political justice in our world. Our participants' approaches to driving change include policy advocacy, media, litigation, community organizing, coalition or network building, popular education, and leadership development. The program also aims to build the human resource capacity of small nonprofits necessary to achieving their missions.

During the next two grant cycles, the program will focus on addressing needs, solving problems, and defending human rights related to the impact on the Gulf Coast of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Our main objectives are:

• To diversify the voices heard in the debate about regional recovery and transformation -- with a strong interest in supporting Fellows who are women, people of color, LGBTQ, disabled, who live in the Gulf Coast region or who are displaced from the region, of low income background and/or who will bring compelling perspectives or life experience to the fellowship (e.g., displaced residents).
• To address longstanding inequities in the region based on race and class, by empowering stakeholders to participate fully in transforming the region.
• To hold government agencies and officials accountable for meeting the needs and respecting the rights of those affected by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast.
• To fund innovative and impactful programs with work grounded in seven sponsored fields -- human rights, immigrant rights, women’s rights, reproductive rights, racial justice, HIV/AIDS, and criminal and civil justice.
• To build needed institutional and individual leadership in the Gulf Coast region
  through leadership training, technical assistance, and membership in a nationwide
  community of activists.

Grantees will be headquartered in one of the three states in the Gulf Coast region hardest hit by hurricane Katrina -- Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Organizations based in three cities with the largest numbers of displaced residents -- Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston -- are also eligible to apply. Finally, hurricane-affected organizations along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Florida may apply.

The Gulf Coast region and communities affected by Hurricane Katrinas and Rita deserve continued financial and moral support. Many needs remain unmet, many problems unresolved. Human rights are not as respected as they ought to be.

A concentration of New Voices grant awards in the Gulf Coast region would 1) create opportunities for talented emerging leaders to speak out on behalf of disadvantaged or marginalized communities, 2) build the capacity of small nonprofit organizations struggling with startup or survival, and 3) support timely social justice projects or initiatives in the region.

For the grantee organization or coalition***:
• Salary support & fringe benefits to host a Fellow for two years*
• Computer for the Fellow’s use
• Training for the Fellow’s mentor
• Networking opportunities

For the Fellow:
• Meaningful and rewarding social justice work
• Leadership training
• Mentoring
• Up to $1,500 per year for professional development activities
• Up to $5,000 per year for student loan repayment or to cover other approved costs**
• Online curriculum and peer support
• Mental health support
• Networking opportunities

*New Voices covers 100% of the Fellow’s salary and fringe benefits in Year One, 75% of salary and 75% of fringe benefits in Year Two. The organization must cover 25% of salary and 25% of fringe benefits in Year Two.

**The Fellow must apply for financial assistance. All expenses must fall within program guidelines and be approved by AED.

Organizations that conduct policy research and analysis, policy advocacy, litigation, community organizing, popular education, leadership development, and demonstration projects with a systems change approach and an evaluation component are eligible. Organizations that propose to provide only direct services to individuals are not eligible.

***Coalition Grants:
• Coalitions in Southern Mississippi (e.g. Biloxi and Gulfport) and in Southern Alabama (e.g. Mobile) may apply for a fellowship grant award.
• One nonprofit organization must be designated as the lead or home base organization.
• The fellow should have both a direct supervisor and mentor.
• An office must be provided for the fellow.
• The fellow may serve as coordinator of the coalition, as a community organizer, or some other approved role.
• Faith-based institutions are eligible if the proposed initiative will be interfaith.
• A complete application is required for all coalition grants. Up to three coalition grants will be awarded in the 2008 cycle.
• Please contact the New Voices Staff for assistance in preparing the application and regarding questions about eligibility.

Up to three grants will be awarded to coalitions in Southern Alabama and Southern Mississippi