Sankofa Fund for Cultural Preservation
Project grants for San Francisco-based individuals and organizations

The Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) is offering grants between $1,500 and $15,000 for San Francisco-based individuals and organizations. These one-year grants will support projects that foster artistic expression deeply rooted in and reflective of historically marginalized communities. This program is supported by the Sankofa Initiative of the San Francisco Arts Commission’s Arts Impact Endowment.

Deadline to apply: September 1, 2021

The concept of “Sankofa” is derived from King Adinkera of the Akan people of West Africa. Sankofa is expressed in the Akan language as “se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenki.” Literally translated, this means “it is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot.”

Acknowledging that our heritage, legacies, ancestors, mentors, and communities are bedrocks of who we are and contribute to our creativity, the grants are intended to support work that is centered around what each community values as important. These practices involve many aesthetic forms, value systems, and languages. The Sankofa Fund is designed for the continuity and transmission of the collective values of your community.

GRANT AMOUNT
Requests may be between $1,500 and $15,000.

WHO CAN APPLY?
San Francisco-based individuals over the age of 18  (Please note: the grant award is considered taxable income and you will receive a1099 form to file with your taxes)
San Francisco-based nonprofit organizations with 501c3 tax status
San Francisco-based organizations without 501c3 status may apply through a fiscal sponsor headquartered in San Francisco

Priority funding will go to organizations and individuals that foster artistic expression deeply rooted in and reflective of historically marginalized communities. Using both the Cultural Equity Endowment Legislation and the Grantmakers in the Arts’ “Racial Equity in Arts Funding: Statement of Purpose and Recommendations for Action,” these communities include: African and African American; Latinx; Asian and Asian American; Arab; Native American; Pacific Islander; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer; Transgender and Gender Variant People; People with Disabilities; and Women. (SF ADMIN. CODE CHAPTER 68: CULTURAL EQUITY ENDOWMENT FUND. Sec. 68.6. PROJECT GRANTS).

Please note: SFAC recognizes that some marginalized communities may not be listed here and encourage applicants to articulate and provide supporting evidence about the marginalization for any community not named above. Please also note the legislation pertains to marginalized communities and not fringe artistic disciplines.

WHAT KINDS OF PROJECTS WILL BE FUNDED? 
The Sankofa Fund will focus on projects that support cultural practices rooted in a specific community with an identifiable lineage or collective history.  Projects should serve those same communities. Projects can focus on:

• Support for the ongoing practice of cultural traditions
• Teaching/Workshops/Apprenticeships
• Performances
• Exhibitions
• Festivals
• Documentation/Media/Oral Histories/Archiving
• Conferences + Gatherings
  All projects will be required to have a public presentation element which can be a live performance, online sharing, publication, etc.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND APPLICATION