Headwaters Foundation For Justice

Rapid response grantmaking: at headwaters, we know that the nature of grassroots organizing means that our funding cycles do not always align with the real financial needs of organizations in moments of crisis or opportunity. Headwaters foundation awards rapid response dollars to community groups during unexpected and critical moments. In fiscal year 2025, our rapid response grantmaking program awarded $791,500 to 30 organizations.

The giving project: since 2015, this program invests in organizations that are led by and for black people, indigenous people, and people of color (bipoc) that also use a community organizing approach to address root causes of injustice. During fiscal year 2025, a community cohort raised money from their networks and led the grantmaking process. In the fiscal year 2025, our giving project program awarded $480,000 to 12 organizations.

Donor advised funds: this program enables individual donors to advance their philanthropic goals and direct resources to social change groups locally and nationally. Development staff educate donors about social injustice issues, connect them to organizations that match their interests, and provide grantmaking assistance. In fiscal year 2025, headwaters daf holders gave $541,800 to 83 organizations. In addition, $53,126 was awarded to headwaters.

The fund of the sacred circle: according to native americans in philanthropy, foundations invest less than half of one percent of grant dollars in native communities. Headwaters works to address this imbalance through the fund of the sacred circle program (fsc). Grants supports minnesota- and wisconsin-based native american organizations that address systemic injustices. General operating grants supports work that focuses on language and cultural revitalization; land and environmental restoration; sovereignty and treaty rights; and self-determination and civil rights.

Other programs: headwaters foundation conducts additional programming for grantee organizations and our volunteer communities that fall into the category of "support beyond the dollars." examples of these activities in fiscal year 2025 included: a series of fundraising training courses accessible to our grantee organizations and two donor education training courses. Headwaters also hosted multiple events open to the public to engage community partners and celebrate specific funds and collective achievements.