Opportunity Fund
- ARTS
- SOCIAL JUSTICE
- ECONOMIC JUSTICE
"TO CHAMPION THE LIBERTIES AND RIGHTS OF OUR COMMUNITIES' DIVERSE CITIZENS,
TREASURING THE ARTS"
TREASURING THE ARTS"
About Opportunity Fund
THE ARTS, AND SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Mission Statement
Opportunity Fund awards grants to small to midsize arts organizations, and organizations and initiatives that advance social and economic justice.
At least 75% of our grants are awarded to projects that benefit the Greater Pittsburgh community.
Learn more about our Guiding Values here.
Funding Areas
Performing & Visual Arts
with an emphasis on small- and mid-sized arts organizations, and:
- Theatre
- Dance
- Classical chamber music
- Jazz music
- Craft
Social & Economic Justice
with a focus on Racial Justice, and:
- Black-Led Movement Work
- Civil liberties
- Civil rights, with special interest in Black and LGBTQ+ people, and other groups impacted by social injustice
- Human rights
- Reproductive freedom
- Social services
- Economic independence
- Housing
- Tangible aid
- Transportation
- Healthcare
- Other safety net resources
Information on applying for grants
For Applicants
Online Application
Opportunity Fund uses an online application for all steps of the grant making process. We do not accept mailed letters or paper applications. Applicants can submit a short video (2-3 minutes) for the “narrative” portion of the Initial Application.
Deadlines
Opportunity Fund hosts community panels and board members to review proposals twice a year.
Cycle 1: Initial Application opens November 1 and is due by January 15, 2026.
If invited, a Full Application is due on March 6 for award notification in May.
Cycle 2: Initial Application opens May 1 is due by July 15, 2026.
If invited, a Full Application is due September 4 for award notification in October.
Please see our FAQs page for more information about who and what we fund, fiscal sponsorship, and additional details for applicants.
Applicant Support (updates coming soon)
Two-Step Process
We have a two-step application process. Use our online grant system to complete both steps. First, submit an Initial Application. Second, if approved, you will be invited to submit a longer Full Application.
Initial Application
The Initial Application is available roughly two and a half months prior to the next deadline. If you are a previous grant partner and have not yet completed your final report, you will have the opportunity to do so within the application. Once your Initial Application has been submitted, you will be notified of the timeline for next steps. Applicants are urged to submit early. This tutorial provides step-by-step guidance on using the online application.
You can access a template for drafting the Initial Application here.
Full Application
Applicants invited to a full application will receive clear instructions and support for completing their proposal. You can access a template for drafting the Full Application here.
Grants
Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance (fiscally sponsored by The Global Switchboard)
Pittsburgh / Social and Economic Justice View Organization
History
Opportunity Fund was established upon the death of Gerri Kay to continue her life’s work. An advocate for civil rights, social justice and the arts, Gerri lived her life extending herself and opportunities to others. She lived her convictions with stunning purity.
Friends described her as “the most fierce, persistent and focused proponent of civil rights and racial justice I have ever met,” “essential to the flourishing of the arts in Pittsburgh, and “exceptionally passionate about supporting young or new artists.” “The depth and breadth of her knowledge was formidable.”
To learn more about Gerri’s life and career, click here.
Opportunity Fund’s seemingly broad focus is simply a reflection of what Gerri cared about. We seek grantees who champion the liberties and rights of our communities’ diverse citizens, treasure the arts and support the lives of artists, pursue social and economic justice, and proactively provide safety net resources for those in need. They provide people the opportunity to live up to their fullest potential and who, in turn, offer their unique gifts to contribute to society’s constant betterment.
We, in turn, offer our partners the opportunity to take risks to more fully achieve their mission.
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“Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to ‘jump at the sun.’ We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground.”Zora Neale Hurston
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“The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by obvious realities. We need men and women who can dream of things that never were.”John F. Kennedy
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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”Margaret Mead
Dana Bishop-Root
Board MemberIdy Goodman
Board ChairJake Goodman
Board MemberMollie Goodman
Board MemberDonta Green
Board MemberMedina Jackson
Board MemberJennifer Rafanan Kennedy
Board MemberMarge Petruska
Board MemberGillian Porter
Board MemberMichael Tikilii
Board MemberAlisha Wormsley
Board MemberStuart Fisk
Advisory Board Member
Please contact us for more info on Opportunity Fund and our activities.
Contact Us
Opportunity Fund is based in Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh
