About us
OUR STORY
The idea started when Aleksandra Muzińska met with teachers from the town of Oświęcim and its surroundings. The participants asked why LGBT+ activists from large organizations don’t visit towns like theirs more often. Where are they supposed to get the knowledge, if it is so difficult to talk openly, act, and lead rainbow education in smaller towns and villages? From this and other meetings with local leaders from Rybnik, Hrubieszów, or Kielce, the idea Was born of a fund that supports local actions for LGBT+ people. A month later, on June 19th, 2019, Fund for a Change Was officially launched.
OUR MISSION AND GOALS
We dream of Poland where LGBT+ people feel at home in every community. At last.
- We strengthen people and groups that want to create open communities, we provide mini grants, suggest how to wisely support and facilitate action.
- We mobilize allies to act and courageously support LGBT + people.
- We build a community of people for whom it is important to create local and grassroots activities for LGBT people outside big urban centers.
We believe the change in our country is possible thanks to the hard work happening in small towns and villages, because that’s where 80% of Poles live. Money for LGBT+ activism rarely reach these places, which is why our Fund provides money, knowledge, and support to organizations and informal groups who wish to act for LGBT+ people’s acceptance.
METHOD
Inspired by Feminist Fund, we use participatory grant making approach. This means that the selection of successful grants is made jointly with organizations and groups who applied with their projects. We value transparency of the process, the opportunity to learn from each other, get inspired, get to know each other, and our perspectives. We trust that you know best what actions are most needed. In this approach, we see a great chance to build our community.
Funders
she/her
I am a lesbian, and a proud LGBT+ community member. Over the last few years I was engaged in marriage equality campaign being a board member and co-president of the Love Does Not Exclude Association.
Coming from Warsaw, and having grown up in a friendly and accepting environment, I benefit from certain privileges. On the other hand, I can’t marry my partner. I feel that our love and mutual commitment are invisible to the society. But my family, friend, and neighborhood communities do a lot to protect me from homophobia every day.
My years of activism and meeting our community members made me realise that as LGBT+ people, we function in different environments and we bring change in diverse communities. I admire everyone who, despite their personal situation, which can often be very difficult, has the courage and enthusiasm to work to increase LGBT+ people’s acceptance. I know money and support is often lacking in this work. Our Fund will change that.
she/her
I am a lesbian, and a proud LGBT+ community member. Over the last few years I was engaged in marriage equality campaign being a board member and co-president of the Love Does Not Exclude Association.
Coming from Warsaw, and having grown up in a friendly and accepting environment, I benefit from certain privileges. On the other hand, I can’t marry my partner. I feel that our love and mutual commitment are invisible to the society. But my family, friend, and neighborhood communities do a lot to protect me from homophobia every day.
My years of activism and meeting our community members made me realise that as LGBT+ people, we function in different environments and we bring change in diverse communities. I admire everyone who, despite their personal situation, which can often be very difficult, has the courage and enthusiasm to work to increase LGBT+ people’s acceptance. I know money and support is often lacking in this work. Our Fund will change that.
she/her
I’m a researcher and a lesbian, I come from Warsaw and I live here. I’m a member of the Love Does Not Exclude Association, where I started my LGBT+ activism.
I would like to feel comfortable not only in big cities, but everywhere in Poland. I would like to hold my partner’s hand, and to not have to guess how safe it might be. There are many ways for us, LGBT+ people, to be able to feel proud, safe, and at home. My dream is to create an environment for a supportive community, promoting diversity and meeting varied needs of the local communities.
While working with local initiatives, I have seen and experienced how complex requirements of grant competitions prevent small organizations from implementing their ideas that are most needed in their communities. I want For a Change Fund to strengthen your organizations to deliver what is important to you.
she/her
I’m a researcher and a lesbian, I come from Warsaw and I live here. I’m a member of the Love Does Not Exclude Association, where I started my LGBT+ activism.
I would like to feel comfortable not only in big cities, but everywhere in Poland. I would like to hold my partner’s hand, and to not have to guess how safe it might be. There are many ways for us, LGBT+ people, to be able to feel proud, safe, and at home. My dream is to create an environment for a supportive community, promoting diversity and meeting varied needs of the local communities.
While working with local initiatives, I have seen and experienced how complex requirements of grant competitions prevent small organizations from implementing their ideas that are most needed in their communities. I want For a Change Fund to strengthen your organizations to deliver what is important to you.
Team
she/her
I have been a user researcher for 15 years and more recently a UI designer. I am the Fund’s ‘eavesdropper’ – I listen about needs, conduct research and apply the results. In my spare time I watch true crime documentaries, go to protests and mother a young male feminist.
he/him
I am a queer person. I am active in the grassroots initiative Herstorical Sisterhood. I graduated in Cultural Studies and the STOP – School of Trainers of non-governmental organisations. I am interested in theatre, performance activities and language framing. At the Fund I am responsible for community building and development.
she/her, he/him
I‘m non-binary. I’m an ethnographer graduated at the Jagiellonian University, currently doing a master’s degree in Psychology. Academically, I am involved with intercultural integration; as an activist – with empowering trans community in Poland; privately – my dogs, my chosen family and poetry. Whereas in the Fund – I’m in charge of Communications and Marketing.
he/him
I am gay. I was born in Ostrów Wielkopolski, I act in Białystok at an equality organization 9dwunastych. I coordinate social, anti discrimination, and gender projects, and I work in education with youth and adults. I work as a Grant Programme Coordinator at the Fund.
Panel Społecznościowy
We care about representation of the community the grants are intended for. That’s why we invited a group of people experienced in local community organizing, LGBT+ activism, and grant giving to collaborate with us. The Advisory Group supports us in setting our funding priorities and strategic reflection on the Fund’s development. Additionally, if in the process of project selection the community’s decisions don’t fully meet our priorities, and initiatives that do meet them are ranked somewhat lower, we – jointly with the Advisory Group – will decide which initiatives receive additional grants.
