United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is committed to being anti-racist and promoting anti-racism work across our community. We cannot serve our communities without directly confronting racial injustice within them.
The Fund for Racial Justice and Equity (FRJE), powered by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and led by five leaders immersed in this fight, seeks to transform people and communities by investing in Black and Brown leaders and organizations. It is guided by a team of seven Black and Brown community leaders who are experts in their fields with decades of collective lived experience. Together, they developed the Fund’s strategic framework and investment process that expands opportunity and access to equitable funding. By removing barriers currently faced by leaders of color, we ensure that resources are available to support the programs, people and services centered around the voices and experiences of those most affected by racism. This investment process is committed to equitable funding practices throughout the application, review and distribution processes.
We have the following intentions:
- Support Black and Brown leadership
- Invest in people
- Support risk-taking and innovation
- Promote trust and integrity
To learn more about the Fund, contact Marci Martinez-Howey at 610-807-5755.
fund for Racial Justice and Equity Grant Recipients
In the summer of 2023, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley awarded twenty-one organizations serving historically marginalized communities $310,000 in grants to develop leadership, economic advancement and wellness.
The following organizations received grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000:
- Cohesion Network
- Epoch Tribe
- Financial Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley
- Fine Feather Foundation Inc.
- Global Hope International
- Greater Community Development Corp.
- InnaStar
- Juneteenth Lehigh Valley
- Lycan Media
- LatinosARE
- Lehigh Valley Black Church Housing Alliance
- Light on the Horizon
- Mother2Mother Inc.
- Movement Moves Media
- Resurrected Community Development Inc.
- SELF!
- The Rilyc
- The Rising Sun Initiative
- The Thrive Hub Inc.
- Unidos Inc.
- Vet Beds
Learn more about the grants here.
Building a greater lehigh valley where every person belongs
and every person thrives.
“United Way is open for people like us to come in and have a part in the process of funding. We challenge more people who look like us to step up and participate.”
Tyrone Russell
CEO of Faces International
fund partners and leadership
Hasshan Batts, DHSC, MSW
Executive Director
Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley
Scott Blair
Senior Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
B. Braun Medical Inc.
Kumari Ghafoor-Davis, MSW
Director, Campaign for Racial and Ethnic Justice
Community Action Lehigh Valley
Kevin Greene
Chief Operating Officer
Faces International
Marci Martinez-Howey
Associate Vice President, Diversity Equity and Inclusion
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Dra. Vivian Robledo
Executive Director
The Next Step Public Charter School
Tyrone Russell
Chief Executive Officer
Faces International
In the News
The Thrive Hub Guides Underrepresented Youth Toward Financial, Educational Success
United Way’s Grant Recipient Spotlight: The Thrive Hub empowers underrepresented youth for academic and career success, minimizing student loan debt and maximizing opportunities.