About
Durfee believes the best approaches to problems often come from people with lived experience of the issue. We look for the leaders who are deeply rooted in the community, and for responsive organizations that are taking a surprising, different strategy to an issue facing Los Angeles County, pulling from various disciplines, issue areas, and interests.
The program offers two-year general operating support of $90,000, or $45,000 each year. In addition, each organization is paired with a mentor for the two-year grant period: a Durfee alum with deep and relevant expertise who will provide advice and assistance. Most Springboard organizations tell us that this aspect is even more valuable than the financial support.
The Springboard review process is highly selective and only a small number of organizations fit all review criteria. We typically award 3–4 grants per year. Please consider the grant criteria below carefully. We highly encourage prospective applicants to schedule a call with a our Durfee staff prior to applying. To schedule a call, please contact admin@durfee.org.
Goals
- Support dynamic leaders who apply creative, community-driven strategies to challenges in LA county
- Assist emerging community organizations in advancing to the next stage of their development
- Link new leaders with established mentors who can guide their organizational path
How to Apply
The application cycle is currently closed. For any inquiries, please reach out to admin@durfee.org.
Recent Awardees
Tongva Taraxat Paxxaavxa Conservancy is a Tongva-led project created to steward lands in Tovaangar, the traditional Tongva region, encompassing the greater Los Angeles basin. The Conservancy is the first land return in Los Angeles and provides a physical space for the community to gather, share knowledge, practice culture, and tend to the local environment and plants.
Umoja Food Collective is a collaborative of Black food entrepreneurs and Black-owned small businesses in Inglewood, South Los Angeles, and surrounding communities. Through community empowerment, network building, and culturally tailored business development, Umoja Food Collective strives for greater investments in Black wealth, Black employment, and Black business ownership, redressing racial wealth gaps and health inequities among Black Angelenos.
The Watts of Power Foundation provides wrap-around support and training for Black male public school teachers. Their flagship program, the Teacher Village, offers a culturally-affirming community space in South LA for teachers-in-training. Watts of Power Foundation envisions increasing the Black educator pipeline in Los Angeles, and impacting the educational and social-emotional learning outcomes for all children—especially Black children.
South LA Community Foundation, a nonprofit affiliate of South LA Café, aims to create, build, and empower an equitable, healthy, and sustainable South Central community for all. With a focus on food equity, workforce training, and business development, they are expanding access to resources and building a sustainable, self-determined local economy.
People’s Pottery Project employs and empowers formerly incarcerated women, transgender, and non-binary individuals through paid job training, access to healing communities, and meaningful employment in their collective nonprofit ceramic business. They provide flexible programs that allow participants to build business and technical skills through creative ceramic fabrication work and production.