Applicant Case Study
Fueling Change: How Commission Shift Reached More Funders and Accelerated Impact with JustFund
Key Results
Challenge
Operating within Texas’s complex and rapidly shifting energy landscape, Commission Shift faced several challenges:
A one-person development team to manage increasing funding needs
Limited time and capacity for traditional, repetitive grant applications
A need to connect with funders who understand the urgency and community-centered nature of their work
A desire to diversify and grow their funding base without sacrificing time spent on mission-critical activities
As a smaller organization tackling systemic issues, Commission Shift needed a way to efficiently reach funders who value transparency, equity, and accountability. Qualities often overlooked in conventional grantmaking structures.
Solution
While researching new ways to connect with values-aligned funders, the organization discovered JustFund.
“Its equity-centered, collaborative approach to philanthropy immediately resonated with us as an opportunity to connect with funders who share our values and are committed to resourcing organizations closest to the solutions,” said Tai Moran, Development Director, Commission Shift.
JustFund stood out not only for its mission but also for its focus on efficiency. Offering a single application that reaches multiple funders allowing the team to allocate more time to mission-focused activities.
Implementation
Moran was particularly impressed by JustFund’s equity-centered Common Application process.
“Every hour we save on grant applications is time we can invest in engaging communities, building coalitions, and holding decision-makers accountable.”
Instead of tailoring applications for individual funders, JustFund enabled the organization to tell its story once, reaching multiple aligned partners with a consistent, impactful message.
Impact
With JustFund, Commission Shift was able to:
Connect with new, aligned funders focused on climate and energy justice
Expand their funding portfolio without expanding staff
Quickly pursue mission-aligned opportunities, strengthening long-term sustainability
This expanded capacity helped Commission Shift continue its work at Railroad Commission public meetings, leading community education sessions, and elevating the voices of impacted communities.
Tai Moran, Development Director, Commission Shift
Commission Shift is a Texas-based nonprofit working to hold the Railroad Commission of Texas accountable. Facing the urgent need to address pollution and environmental injustice in one of the nation’s largest energy-producing states, the organization sought to expand and diversify its funding base to meet growing community demands and strengthen long-term sustainability.
Key Learnings
Commission Shift was able to continue its work at Railroad Commission public meetings, leading community education sessions, and elevating the voices of impacted communities.
Commission Shift was able to build a bigger funding portfolio without expanding staff.
The organization is reaching funders who value transparency, equity, and accountability.
Commission Shift can now quickly pursue mission-aligned opportunities, strengthening long-term sustainability.
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