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Support the UW Tacoma Black Opportunity Fund
The Black Opportunity Fund (BOF) supports projects that amplify, preserve, and advance Black community life, culture(s) and experiences. Funded projects should contribute to greater public understanding, engagement, and investment in Black cultural expressions and contributions to the university community.
The fund application is open to all UW Tacoma students, staff and faculty, regardless of race, ethnicity or identity, who are seeking to reinforce and honor Black culture(s) and experiences.
UW Black Opportunity Fund History
With generous gifts from donors, the University of Washington created the Black Opportunity Fund in 2020 after months of Black student led organizing and activism across campuses and in the greater Seattle and South Sound area following a wave of killings of Black people (George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Nina Pop, and others). The BOF is a result of many conversations the UW Seattle Black Student Union and faculty had with university leadership regarding how to create a more sustaining and affirming space on all three campuses for the Black community. The UW Tacoma BOF is administered through the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
Areas of Focus
Applicants for the Black Opportunity Fund must address one or more of these areas in their project proposal.
- Amplifies or preserves Black culture(s) or experiences
- Has clear community benefit
- Has cultural integrity
- Is feasible and well define
- Is open to all
Application Process
Application Process
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Proposals may be submitted for up to $5,000. Proposals in excess of the amount will be considered on a case by case basis.
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Proposals are accepted from all current students, faculty, and staff at the University of Washington Tacoma.
- Projects must be completed by June 30, 2027 (Round 1) or December 31, 2027 (Round 2). Projects that request completion dates after, will be given special consideration.
- Recipients will submit a project/activity summary within 60 days of the project/activity conclusion that 1) lists/shows activities supported, 2) evaluates project/activity outcomes, and 3) accounts for project funds.
Round 1, 2026-27:
Applications open – October 26, 2026
Applications close – November 30, 2026
Award notifications/disbursement – December 2026
Project completion - June 30, 2027
Report due - August, 2027
Round 2, 2026-27:
Applications open - March 2027
Applications close - April 2027
Award notifications/disbursement - May 2027
Project completion - December 31, 2027
Report due - August, 2027
Information session are to provide prospective applicants with support and guidance on the areas of focus and the application process. Frequently asked questions will also be addressed. Facilitators of the information sessions are not able to directly assist in the completion of the application and may not be able to provide answers about the merits of individual applications.
Thursday, October 22, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Monday, October 26, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Please contact Nicole Jordan, ncol3j@uw.edu to register for an information session over Zoom.
Objective: statement of how the project or activity will amplify, preserve, or advance Black culture(s) or experiences.
Description of the project goals/learning outcomes, theory or philosophy that supports your approach, actual activities and tools for assessment.
Project timeline, marketing plan and detailed budget with a description of any matching funds and/or any additional funds supporting the project or activity.
Applications will be reviewed by the UW Tacoma Black Opportunity Fund Committee, which is comprised of UWT students, staff and faculty. Proposals will be assessed based on the Areas of Focus and their alignment with the UW Tacoma BOF eligibility requirements. A review of the proposals will be shared with the Chancellor who will make final award decisions.
Note: Eligibility and selection will be based on the focus and impact of the project or activity, not the identity of the applicant.
BOF recognizes this work takes place on Coast Salish and Puyallup homelands, and understands the separate and connected histories and ongoing legacies of land theft, genocide and enslavement. We are committed to honoring the peoples and lands of this place as we considering funding proposals.
