About the Fund
United Way of Racine County's Equity Innovation Fund supports projects, programs and solutions that use innovative strategies to reduce disparities, improve outcomes and empower members of historically marginalized populations. The fund is made possible through the generosity of novelist and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, and through support from Racine County.
Equity Innovation Fund projects/programs address one or more of the following areas:
- Early childhood and kindergarten readiness
- K-12 academic and/or social emotional success
- Individual independence
- Individual and/or family stability
Current Equity Innovation Fund Grantees
Submit quarterly and end-of-project reports and to learn more about quarterly reporting below.
The Equity Innovation Fund is currently closed and not accepting applications. Please continue to check the page for updates and see the work of the current grantees below.
Grantee Impact
United Way of Racine County is proud to partner with our Equity Innovation Grantees. Our grantees are in the community meeting the needs of marginalized population in innovative and unique ways. To date we have funded a total of 32 organizations through the Equity Innovation fund. 25 of those projects are directed by BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+ members or other marginalized individuals. A total of 3,515 individuals have been served by our grantees thus far. Thank you to all of the Equity Innovation Grantees for your dedication to the community!
Read our Equity Innovation Fund reports to find out more about the impact Equity Innovation Fund grantees have been making:
Key Terms
Equity, innovation and historically marginalized population are key terms related to this funding opportunity. The definitions used for these terms for the purpose of this fund are as follows:
Equity creates conditions that allow all to reach their full potential. It is just and fair inclusion. Equity is not equality.
Innovation makes changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas and products. Innovation requires knowledge, ingenuity and focus. It is newness -or renewal - and improvement. Innovation is not invention.
Historically marginalized populations are individuals, groups, and communities that have historically and systematically been - and continue to be - denied access to services, resources and power relationships across economic, political, and cultural dimensions as a result of systemic, durable, and persistent racism, discrimination and other forms of oppression. Historically marginalized populations are disproportionately affected by inequities. Historically marginalized populations are often identified based on their race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, geography, religion, language, sexual identity, and disability status.
Equity Innovation Fund Grantees
- Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps - Urban AgVets Educational Initiative
- Racine Vocational Ministry - Second Chance Reentry Program
- Racine Zoo - Community Outreach Zoo Initiative (COZI)
- SAFE Haven of Racine - Feather-a-Nest
- The Blue Way, Inc. - The Dental Backpack
- The Passions Project - The Passions Project | LGBTQ+ Racine
- Urban League of Racine and Kenosha - Urban Sports Academy
- Women’s Resource Center of Racine, Inc. - Legal Advocacy Services for Victims and Survivors
- SecureFutures - SecureFutures Money Coach
- BeLEAF Survivors - Project RESPECT
- Fight to End Exploitation - Bridging the Gap for Human Trafficking Victim Resources in Racine County
- LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin - Colorful and Connected
- Burlington Senior Center - Tell Your Story
- NAMI - Compassionate Conversations
- Racine Video Production - More Voices Podcast Network
- Racine Unified School District - Access for All Project
- Baby Express LLC - Baby Express Transportation
- Education Empowerment - Youth Aspiring Towards Excellence Remedial Reading Program
- Professional Women in Trades, Inc - She Can Do It Too Program
- Racine Habitat for Humanity - Racine Habitat IDA Program
- Lovingkindness Transitional Services Inc - Individuals in Transition (IIT)
- Payne Consulting - Next Level Mentoring Program
- Wisconsin Panthers (3PS) - 3PS (3 percent Safer)
- I O Youth Inc - RAE Performing Arts Studio
- Racine Friendship Clubhouse - Digital Literacy Education Lab
- Burlington Area School District - DRIVEN Student Leadership Program
- LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin - Transgender Resource Project
- YWCA Southeast WI - YWCA Southeast WI Restorative Justice Program
- Black Arts Council of Racine - Black Women Stage Showcase
- Focus on Community - Focus on the Future
- Payne Consulting - Next Level Mentoring Program
- Racine Video Production Workshop - Awareness Through Art
- Racine Art Museum - Hoop Earrings and Low Rider Bicycles
- Volunteer Center of Racine County - Youth Volunteer Corps Summer Camps
- Mahogany Black Arts and Cultural Center - EMERGE Artist Development Fellowship