The Sociological Initiatives Foundation supports social change by linking research to social action. It funds research projects that investigate laws, policies, institutions, regulations, and normative practices that may limit equality in the U.S. It gives priority to projects that seek to address racism, xenophobia, classism, gender bias, exploitation, or the violation of human rights and freedoms. It also supports research that furthers language learning and behavior and its intersection with social and policy questions.
The Foundation supports research that focuses on improving services and systems and increasing positive social and physical conditions through:
- Policy development
- Placement and shaping of the policy agenda
- Policy adoption or implementation
- Policy blocking
- Increasing advocacy capacity and political influence
- Shaping public sentiment
- Addressing challenges related to language and literacy
Language issues include literacy, language loss and maintenance, language policy, language and national security, bilingualism, language and gender, language and law, language disabilities, language and health, language and education, different language cultures, and second language acquisition.
In the context of social and racial inequality dating back centuries, the Foundation supports projects that address institutional rather than individual or behavioral change. It seeks to fund research and initiatives that provide insight into sociological and linguistic issues that can help specific groups and or communities expand opportunities and challenge injustices.
Grant sizes normally range from $15 to $20,000. We look for projects that have an explicit research design and a concrete connection to public or community impact. It is not enough to just write a report or add a focus group to a social change project. The research should build an organization or constituency’s potential to expand public knowledge, impact policy, and create social change.
Deadlines
- The Round 1. concept proposal deadlines have been extended to March 1st.
- The Round 2. concept proposal deadline is August 15th.
- Full proposals are invited in June and October
- Grants are disbursed in August and January.
Our analysis of past grant recipients has shown that projects typically take two years, so applicants should think in terms of such a timeline.
Some examples of desired applicants are:
- community-led academic partnerships
- advocacy or community groups that conduct research that can withstand challenge in academic and policy arenas
- academics allied with a constituency through their research
Types of Support and Limitations
- Preference is given to providing support in areas that tend to be under-funded and for projects of a size where a Sociological Initiatives Foundation grant can make a difference.
- For nonprofits, grants are restricted to organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code and classified as “not a private foundation” under section 509(a).
- The Sociological Initiatives Foundation does not make grants directly to individuals for any purposes.
- SIF also welcomes applications from academic institutions and other qualified organizations wishing to sponsor research projects by individual scholars or practitioners.
- No awards are made for dissertation research, honoraria or political purposes.
- The Foundation does not provide operating support or capital grants.
- Grant sizes normally range from $15,000 to $20,000.
- The geographic focus is limited to the United States.
Generally, the Foundation will not consider proposals that:
- represent the work of a lone academic without an ongoing partnership with a community organization
- do not demonstrate the capacity or intent to carry out bona fide research, as indicated by either a past track record or a credentialed researcher partner
- are led by government/municipal agencies
- result only in reports, publications, websites, gatherings, films, theatrical productions, concerts, conferences, or the like that are not part of a larger explicit social change strategy
- only evaluate existing programs. Program evaluation is not a priority.
- request funds for operating support or capital grants
Investment Policy
The Foundation directors consider it our fiduciary responsibility to align our fiscal practices with our social mission. Therefore, we have adopted a policy of socially responsible investing.
Trustees
Barbara Freed, PhD, Emeritus Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
Jonathan Gayles, PhD, Georgia State University
Susan Greenbaum PhD, Emeritus Professor, University of South Florida
Ramona Hernandez, PhD, The City College of New York
Please direct all inquiries to:
Foundation Office
The Sociological Initiatives Foundation
c/o Prentice Zinn, Administrator
GMA Foundations
2 Liberty Square
Boston, Massachusetts, 02110-1006 USA
V 617-391-3091
e-mail pzinn@gmafoundations.com