Contact: Mindy Wright
Jan. 27, 2021

SAN DIEGO, CA — First United Methodist Church of San Diego, in partnership with St. Paul United Methodist Church, San Diego, today announced they have jointly awarded $52,500 in Racial Justice Grant funding to ten local nonprofits that either engage in anti-racist policy advocacy, or provide direct services to People of Color in San Diego County. The grants are part of a long-term commitment by the churches to anti-racist work throughout San Diego, which led to the establishment of their newly created Racial Justice Endowment.

The Endowment will announce their next grant cycle focus and open applications for it on April 1, 2021.

“The greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves,” said Rev. Trudy Robinson, Lead Pastor at First United Methodist Church San Diego. “But given Christianity’s past and continued participation in racism over the centuries, we have not loved all of our neighbors. Not by a long shot. However, we can seek repentance as we commit to a new way to be. For us, this Racial Justice Endowment is an important step in that direction.”

“The tragic nature of racial injustice underscores the important work of these local organizations, who have been serving our community for years, if not decades,” she continued. “It is our hope that others will join us by contributing to the endowment, which we created with St. Paul United Methodist Church to support efforts to dismantle systemic racism that unfairly limits opportunities for People of Color throughout our region.”

Inspired by local and national conversations about racial injustice, the churches jointly established the Endowment in 2020 to come alongside organizations already engaged in anti-racist efforts in San Diego County. Community response to the fund has been enthusiastic with donations having been received from both congregations and the broader philanthropic community.

2020/21 Racial Justice Endowment Grantees:

• Pillars of the Community
• San Diego Young Artists Music Academy (SDYAMA)
• DETOUR (Depositing Empowerment Through Outreach and Urban Redevelopment)
• The Blue Heart Foundation
• San Diego Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women’s (NCNW) STEAM Workshop 
• National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Delta Upsilon Chapter, San Diego’s Y.E.S Program
• Man Up Club at Wilson Middle School
• Neighborhood House Association’s Project In-Reach
• Mustard Seed Wood, Inc.
• SD Urban Warriors

First United Methodist Church of San Diego and St. Paul United Methodist Church encourage the San Diego community to get involved and support these important efforts to create a more equitable future for all.

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