Mary’s Pence Grantees Are
WOMEN LED —
centered on issues women face or on gender justice issues, benefitting and primarily led by cis women, trans women, or non-binary people.
COMMUNITY CENTERED —
emerging from a need identified within the impacted community, and collaboratively developed by and led by members of that community.
Working to enact long term sustainable change at the community level —
shifting public opinion about justice issues; forming alliances and collaborations across diverse populations; creating change in unjust structure or policies; or building capacity by building leadership, organizing or other social justice skills.
Focused on social justice actions —
human dignity, the common good, the right to economic security and dignified work, care for the earth, participation, subsidiarity (decisions are made at the most local level possible and involve those most impacted) and nonviolence.
MARY’S PENCE COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
We are committed to inclusion and equity and strive to ensure that our grantee funding reflects the diversity of the communities with which we partner with regard to color, income, physical ability, geography, age, and gender identity. We are committed to removing barriers that are faced by equity-seeking groups.
Beyond the Money
Our granting process is intentional and holistic. In order to meet emerging needs, we do not restrict funding to prescribed issue areas. Rather, the kinds of social justice issues that we fund arise organically as needs change and emerge within a community. We also provide our grantees with additional support including networking, retreats, information sessions and publicity.
Our unique approach has been recognized in recent years and is one of the main reasons we maintain a 100% rating on GrantAdvisor.
Issues We Recently Funded

Creating Inclusive Communities
Native Justice Coalition
- Spring 2021 |
- 2nd Grant
Manistee, Michigan
The Native Justice Coalition is a platform for healing, social, and racial justice for all Native American people.
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Accompanying Women Experiencing Incarceration
Families & Criminal Justice
- Spring 2021 |
- 3rd Grant
Los Angeles, California
Families & Criminal Justice is a group of formerly incarcerated women of color who have organized to work in and around the justice system to serve justice-involved women and their families in Los Angeles County.
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Cultivating Health and Well Being
Mama to Mama
- Spring 2021 |
- 2nd Grant
Louisville, Kentucky
Mama to Mama works to increase social support for all mothers as they make the transition into parenthood by promoting healthy parenting practices in an effort to create healthier and more sustainable communities.
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Advocating for Just Systems
Pennsylvania Domestic Workers Alliance
- Fall 2020 |
- 2nd Grant
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Domestic Workers Alliance is a domestic worker-led organization fighting for justice, dignity, and power for house cleaners, nannies, and caregivers.
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Empowering Young Women
The WomanHOOD Project
- Spring 2021 |
- 1st Grant
Bronx, New York
The WomanHOOD Project is an after-school mentorship and leadership program for girls, femmes, and trans/gender-nonconforming people of color in the Bronx.
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Advocating for Just Systems
Altagracia Faith and Justice Works
- Spring 2021 |
- 1st Grant
New York. New York
Altagracia Faith and Justice Works is an organization that focuses on combating rezoning in their communities and addressing social injustices.
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