Application Process

The Board reviews grant applications at meetings in the Spring and Fall. The deadline for submission of applications for the Spring meeting is March 1st and for the Fall meeting is September 1st.

For organizations who have not submitted an application to us within the last two years, click here to download our new grantee application form.

For organizations who have received a grant from us within the last two years, click here to download our returning grantee application form.

The completed application should be submitted to applications@thebarriostrust.org.

Primary Grant Consideration

Founded in Oakland in 1999, The Barrios Trust (TBT) provides support in the form of grants to youth-centered programs within the Oakland community. We focus on programs that encourage healthy habits of mind and body, nourish cultural diversity and educate the whole child. We prefer to support programs that integrate academic skills with enrichment activities in ways that help under-privileged young people develop skills, confidence and self-esteem and to reach their full potential.

Other Considerations

TBT will make grants to organizations determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be 501(c)(3) qualifying organizations. TBT will also award scholarships for individuals who fall within the spirit of our mission.

It had been our general policy to make grants to organizations for no more than a three-year cycle and we requested that grantees wait for another three years before reapplying. We have modified that policy and are now requesting that returning grantees wait two-years before reapplying. Grantees who received a third grant in 2020 may apply this year; grantees who received a third grant in 2021 can reapply in 2024; grantees who received a third grant in 2022 can reapply in 2025.

Grants can be used for both operational expenses as well as capital acquisition. TBT prefers to make grants that provide no more than one-third or an organization’s budget in any twelve-month period.

Geographic Area Served

Our grants are limited to the support of organizations and individuals in the greater Oakland Metropolitan area of Northern California.

Grant Range

Our grants range between $1,000 and $10,000.