North Star Fund provides rapid response grants year round to support organizations to achieve a timely and specific outcome or impact within three to six months, usually as part of a long-term goal to achieve systems-based change. These grants were awarded in February and March 2020 to support organizing, activism and strategic convening in response to urgent threats or breaking opportunities.
To learn about North Star Fund’s COVID-19 crisis response, you can read more about grants awarded through the Future of Organizing Fund.
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, $5,000 – to support the Day Against Hate, 16 actions held citywide to draw attention to New York’s epidemic of hate violence and the city government’s inadequate response. Most of this day’s activities highlighted proactive approaches to prevent violence, including “upstander” or bystander training, canvassing, and anti-semitism education.
Right to Counsel NYC Coalition, $5,000 – for the successful campaign that resulted in a statewide eviction moratorium, along with continuing efforts to educate and protect tenants amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more about the moratorium here.
Upstate-Downstate Housing Alliance, $5,000 – for the ongoing Cancel Rent campaign, currently demanding that Governor Cuomo house the homeless, suspend rent, and provide automatic forgiveness of any rent, mortgage, or utility payment owed or accumulated during the length of the COVID-19 crisis. Support the Cancel Rent campaign here.
VOCAL-NY, $5,000 – for collective actions to defend newly-implemented bail reforms, as police departments, district attorneys, Republicans, and other opponents of the law pressured state legislators to roll back the new pre-trial reforms. As of April 7, Governor Cuomo pushed through a budget that scales back money bail reforms. Read VOCAL-NY’s statement here.