Groundswell Fund Consolidates Grantmaking in 2026 to Focus on Bodily Autonomy and Civic Power

Oakland-based funder shifts priorities in response to 'brutal' crackdowns, will invite only select organizations to apply for support.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:55pm

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life featuring a collection of elegant, minimalist objects arranged on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the Groundswell Fund's shift in priorities to support bodily autonomy and civic power.A premium, polished collection of objects symbolizes the Groundswell Fund's new focus on supporting grassroots organizations' long-term capacity and resilience.Oakland Today

The Groundswell Fund, a prominent supporter of women's, girls' and LGBTQ causes, social justice, and public health initiatives, has announced it will consolidate its grantmaking in 2026 into an invitation-only fund supporting 'bodily autonomy, civic power, and long-term capacity.' This shift comes in response to a combination of internal and external factors, including the Trump Administration's 'brutal' crackdowns in Minneapolis and elsewhere.

Why it matters

The Groundswell Fund has been a crucial source of support for grassroots social justice organizations led by women of color and LGBTQ individuals. Its decision to shift to an invitation-only model reflects the challenging political climate and the need for these groups to build long-term capacity and resilience in the face of ongoing threats to reproductive rights and civic engagement.

The details

The Groundswell Fund, based in Oakland, California, was established in 2015 by Vanessa Daniel, a veteran of the Tides Center. The fund has traditionally supported a range of initiatives, from women's reproductive health to LGBTQ advocacy and public health programs, with a focus on grassroots organizations led by women, women-identifying, and non-binary people of color.

  • The Groundswell Fund was established in 2015.
  • In 2026, the fund announced it will consolidate its grantmaking into an invitation-only fund supporting 'bodily autonomy, civic power, and long-term capacity.'

The players

Groundswell Fund

An Oakland-based funder that supports women's, girls', and LGBTQ causes, social justice, and public health initiatives, with a focus on grassroots organizations led by women, women-identifying, and non-binary people of color.

Vanessa Daniel

The founder and leader of the Groundswell Fund, a veteran of the Tides Center.

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What’s next

The Groundswell Fund will begin accepting applications for its invitation-only fund supporting 'bodily autonomy, civic power, and long-term capacity' in 2026.

The takeaway

The Groundswell Fund's decision to shift to an invitation-only grantmaking model reflects the challenging political climate and the need for grassroots social justice organizations led by women of color and LGBTQ individuals to build long-term capacity and resilience in the face of ongoing threats to reproductive rights and civic engagement.