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ECONOMIC JUSTICE FUND

Sustaining Communities, Transforming Lives

The Economic Justice Fund is a clear commitment to structural justice and the strengthening of organizational capacities. Our pledge is to support the financial development of organizations that serve, accompany, and organize women, girls, and gender-expansive communities.

We provide operational and flexible grants whose purpose is not to carry out an isolated project, but to ensure institutional sustainability: from resources to strengthen administration, increase budgets, restructure internal processes, and build reserves, to access to seed capital. All these actions are carried out through a feminist philanthropy model that respects the autonomy, knowledge, and leadership of partner organizations. We recognize that strengthening structures means empowering movements.

This approach aligns with global practices that are revitalizing feminist philanthropy, such as offering operational and unrestricted funding, establishing long-term commitments, and building relationships of solidarity and accompaniment with organizations. These mechanisms are essential to withstand adverse contexts and ensure lasting transformations.

Casa Julia de Burgos
Women's Shelter

This grant impacts Casa Julia’s administration, which in turn supports the strengthening of quality services and safe spaces for survivors of domestic violence in Puerto Rico. Casa Julia has expanded its services even in times of crisis, as we continue to identify the barriers and needs of women and children. For this reason, the grant is aimed at strengthening the administrative framework to sustain the growth in services that has allowed us to reach more survivors each year.

Why Is This Fund Vital?

In Puerto Rico, access to philanthropic funding is extremely limited—especially when it comes to operational resources. Most available funds come from government sources with rigid restrictions or from private foundations that favor short-term projects, leaving the most urgent need unmet: the sustainability of the organizations that sustain our communities every day.

REAL SUSTAINABILITY

Strictly programmatic funds limit growth, strategic planning, and internal stability. In contrast, providing operational resources allows organizations to maintain their teams, develop solid structures, build reserves, and remain resilient in times of crisis—such as hurricanes, pandemics, or budget cuts. In a country so vulnerable to disasters and inequalities, this is not a luxury: it is essential.

STRENGTHENED AUTONOMY

When funds arrive without strings attached or imposed bureaucracies, organizations are free to decide how best to respond to the realities of their communities. This freedom is especially important in Puerto Rico, where centralized decision-making has historically marginalized community leadership—particularly feminist leadership.

TRANSFORMATION

Investing in the economic sustainability of feminist organizations is a concrete way to redistribute power. When women and gender-expansive communities have access to dignified jobs, fiscal stability, and control over their resources, they transform the very structures that perpetuate poverty, violence, and inequality. They do more than meet needs—they build alternatives.

JUSTICE FOR THOSE WHO SUSTAIN US

Many feminist leaders in Puerto Rico have dedicated their lives to social justice without ever receiving fair wages, adequate benefits, or retirement security. We cannot speak of sustainability without considering their present and future well-being. Funding organizational structures also means creating conditions for these leaders to live with dignity, access retirement plans and leave benefits, and receive the material recognition they deserve for their vital work. Caring for those who care for us is both urgent and transformative.

Copartes del Fondo de Justicia Económica