The Boulder Fund
Reshaping the trajectory of philanthropy and investing in the creation of a world where young people of color have opportunities to build generational wealth and thrive.
The 2024 Boulder Fund Cohort is made up of eight remarkable leaders of color. Their work includes support for Black male educators with mentorship and affordable housing; advancing Latinx voices in charter school systems; engagement of and investment in youth who have been involved in the criminal justice system; promoting a jobs-first higher education model; and more.
The Boulder Fund is EdLoC’s multimillion-dollar grant program designed to disrupt traditional philanthropy by placing grants directly into the hands of emerging, innovative leaders of color working across sectors to ensure young people of color have opportunities to build generational wealth and thrive. In a country where grants supporting the work of people of color range between only 9 to 12 percent of overall funding, the Boulder Fund stands tall as a transformative force. Since 2018, EdLoC has committed $5.9 million in grants and funded 45 organizations across the country.
Every year, EdLoC members have committed time to select, advise, and support each year’s cohort. Together, we are reimagining venture funding, providing the backing that leaders of color deserve, and fostering a collective power to propel systemic change that uplifts communities for generations to come.
2025 Boulder Fund Application
We’re excited to announce that the 2025 Boulder Fund application will open on January 6, 2025!
We’ll release more information in the coming weeks. Make sure you check EdLoC Connect and our social media for updates.
Support the Boulder Fund Selection
Our collective power is at the heart of this work. We are seeking passionate and dedicated volunteers to be part of our team in the following roles:
Pre-Screeners: Review applications and help to select finalists.
Selectors: Be part of the team responsible for making the final decision on grant recipients.
Advisors: Get paired with applicants to provide candid feedback on draft proposals. Prospective applicants have shared that these consultancies have been invaluable to their growth as leaders and fundraisers.
Why volunteer for the Boulder Fund?
Drive Meaningful Impact: Being a part of the Boulder Fund process directly contributes to empowering early-stage entrepreneurs in our Network to drive transformative change in their communities.
Network and Collaborate with Values-Aligned Changemakers: Join a group of passionate leaders across sectors who are committed to ensuring young people of color are thriving, building generational wealth, and facing fewer systemic barriers to capitalizing on opportunities.
Hone Your Skills: Participating in this rigorous process is a rewarding experience that enhances your skills in project evaluation, mentorship, and philanthropic decision-making.
Timeline
Jan 6, 2025:
Application Portal Opens
Jan 24, 2025:
Applications Due
February 14, 2025
Finalists & Non-Finalists Notified
March 6-7, 2025
Selection Event | Austin, TX
March 17, 2025
Recipients Announced
Who Should Apply?
Building generational wealth for communities of color requires multifaceted, multiracial, intersectional, and cross-sectoral new approaches. Have a project that uniquely advances EdLoC’s mission? Whether you are working in education, healthcare, immigration, or elsewhere, the Boulder Fund was created for disruptive leaders like you. We prioritize support for early-stage programs and leaders for whom EdLoC’s support would have a crucial impact.
To be eligible to apply, you must be an active EdLoC member as of January 6, 2025. Applicants are ineligible to apply if they have received grants from us on two previous occasions; however, if you have received a grant once, you are welcome to apply again.
Contact us at BoulderFund@edloc.org with questions!
Learn more about our past recipients
