East Bay Community Foundation Weaving Artists into Community Fabric

The East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) makes grants to artists and artist-centered nonprofits to assure that East Bay’s multi-cultural, multi-racial artists have the resources they need to advance their community-based practices, tackle social issues, and give back to local audiences. The foundation’s arts grantmaking of close to $250,000 is drawn from three donor-supported funds that, despite separate awards processes, work synergistically to advance art that grows out of and impacts the East Bay community. The Macpherson Fund for Small Arts Organizations, an endowed fund, supports community-based nonprofits with a strong volunteer component and/or that present art growing out of Oakland’s various racial or ethnic traditions. Open Circle Foundation, a supporting organization, supports artists with deep community roots and a history of commitment to social issues beyond their artistic practice. The East Bay Fund for Artists, a field of interest fund, supports commissions for new work and requires a 1-to-1 match from individual donors. Despite limited financial resources, East Bay’s model grantmaking program is guided by an understanding of the power of art and cultural equity, coupled with deep staff knowledge of the local arts scene.