In 2017 the Elias Foundation continued to open its program to new leaders, supporting the development of grassroots activists in the Lower Hudson Valley. Some small organizational grants were given to long-term grantees who are committed to the pursuit of systemic change for social justice and whose work empowers grassroots leaders.

Leaders

In 2017 the Elias foundation continued the individual support of activist leaders known to the social justice community in Westchester. $100,000 was spent in support of the following leaders and their cohorts: Lamont Badru, Cornel Carelock, Tarin Gonzalez, Marcela Levine, Juanita Lewis, Mayra Hidalgo Salazar, Luis and Jirrell Abraham. This support includes paying for college fees, equipment, books, coaching, travel and registration for conferences and trainings.

 

Organizations

These grants aim to support the development and sustainability of the grassroots leaders whose work is central to the organization. The list also includes some larger, tie-off general support grants to organizations that have received long-term support from Elias.

 

Community Governance & Development Council

Yonkers, NY $37,900
www.CGDCNY.org
This general operating support is given in honor of Lamont Badru, CGDC’s founder and a grassroots leader in our development program. Elias has supported CGDC since 2012.

Community Voices Heard

Yonkers, NY $13,400
www.cvhaction.org
This is the second of a five-year grant in general support of CVH’s organizing in Westchester. It also includes leadership training. Elias has supported CVH since 2004.

Hudson Valley Community Coalition

Hudson Valley Area, NY $50,000
www.hvccoalition.net
This one-time grant continues general support and sustainability of this organization building communities that foster social justice and cultural awareness, working with immigrants, emphasizing advocacy, leadership development and community organizing. Elias has supported HVCC since 2009.

Neighbors Link / NL Community Law Practice

Mount Kisco, NY $20,000
www.neighborslink.org
This grant supports hiring 2 lawyers for their program offering legal services for immigrant families.

 

True He(ART) Academy

White Plains, NY $26,600
trueheartacademy.com
This grant is in honor of Cornel Carelock, the founder and teacher of this new program that provides self-healing and resilience strategies using the arts.

 

WESPAC Foundation / Westchester Social Forum

White Plains, NY $60,000
www.wespac.org
This general operating grant was made in honor of Nada Khader, executive director of WESPAC. It includes $10,000 in support of the Westchester Social Forum – building the movement for social and ecological justice.

 

Westchester Children's Association, Inc.

Mount Vernon and White Plains, NY $60,000
www.wca4kids.org
$50,000 is a grant given in support of the Raise the Age campaign. $10,000 is the second of a five-year grant in general support. Elias has supported WCA since 2007.

 

2017 Other Support

Community Design

Support to organizations to cover the cost of printed materials that were developed by community design students at SUNY Purchase College. Elias has been supporting organizations taking part in this program since 2008.

 

2017 Board Member Donations

Media - $4,000

  • Jacobin

  • In These Times

  • YES! Magazine

  • Dissent

Direct Service - $102,000

  • Children’s Village

  • YMCA of Central Maine

  • Trenton Circus Squad

  • Bronx Freedom Fund

  • Massachusetts Bail Fund

  • Chicago Community Bond Fund

  • Southern Center for Human Rights

  • Freedom Fighter Bond Fund of the Carolinas

  • National Network of Abortion Funds

Movement Organizing - $86,000

  • JustLeadership USA

  • Youth Justice Funders Collaborative

    • BreakOUT

    • Voice of the Experienced (V.O.T.E.)

    • Orleans Parish Prison Reform Coalition (OPPRC)

    • Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children (FFLIC)

  • Southern Maine Workers’ Center

  • Grassroots Global Justice

  • Jewish Voice for Peace

  • United We Dream

  • Southerners on New Ground

  • Portland Outright

Policy - $34,000

  • Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund

  • New Jersey Policy Perspective

  • Maine Equal Justice Partners

  • Sustainable Economies Law Center

  • New Economy Coalition

  • Advocacy Institute