Applicant Case Study
Breaking the Cycle: How Love Is Stronger GV Found an Equity-Driven Partner with JustFund
Key Results
Challenge
Before partnering with JustFund, Love Is Stronger GV faced several obstacles in accessing funding. Traditional grantmaking systems demanded time-intensive, fragmented applications — often requiring separate, customized information for each funder. This bureaucratic process drained precious time and energy away from Love Is Stronger GV’s critical programming.
Solution
Love Is Stronger GV’s team was drawn to JustFund’s innovative, trust-based funding platform, which connected the organization to rapid, unrestricted support. What stood out most was JustFund’s focus on building a single, collaborative space where organizations like Love Is Stronger GV can connect with aligned funders without duplicating efforts.
“Now, one submission unlocks rapid, unrestricted grants – allowing us to quickly fund #NoBullets de-escalation workshops for gang-impacted youth in Multnomah County, freeing us to focus on healing and community reclamation rather than paperwork. This shift has amplified our equity-driven mission.”
JustFund’s Common Application ignited hope for the small team by streamlining access to equitable funding – which so far has resulted in $15,000 via the JustFund platform. The technology has reduced administrative burdens, fueling the team’s excitement to expand programs.
Impact
The impact of joining JustFund has been transformative.
Increased efficiency: JustFund’s platform helped the organization save hours previously spent on paperwork, allowing more focus on community engagement.
Expanded programming: With better access to funding, Love Is Stronger GV scaled programs like Learn & Earn and #BulletFreeWeekend and reached more gang-impacted youth.
Restored trust: The collaborative, equity-centered design of JustFund motivated the team to look at philanthropy through a new lens.
Lionel Irving, Executive Director, Love Is Stronger GV
Love Is Stronger GV is a grassroots organization led by formerly incarcerated leaders and trauma-informed coaches. Serving Multnomah, Washington, and Clark Counties in the Pacific Northwest, Love Is Stronger GV focuses on healing, de-escalation, and civic engagement for gang-impacted youth and their families. Their equity-focused programs, such as #BulletFreeWeekends, Learn & Earn, and Unity in Community, work to break cycles of violence with love, accountability, and community-based strategies. When the organization was looking for a network that understood the needs of BIPOC-led nonprofits, they found a partner in JustFund. “The most surprising aspect of JustFund was its radical efficiency – saving applicants an estimated 57 years of collective application time across the sector – while being built entirely by funders and organizers of color with lived experience in inequities,” said Lionel Irving, Executive Director, Love Is Stronger GV.
Key Learnings
JustFund’s platform helped the organization save hours previously spent on paperwork, allowing more focus on community engagement.
With better access to funding, Love Is Stronger GV scaled programs like Learn & Earn and #BulletFreeWeekend and reached more gang-impacted youth.
The collaborative, equity-centered design of JustFund motivated the team to look at philanthropy through a new lens.
JustFund’s Common Application ignited hope for the small team by streamlining access to equitable funding – which so far has resulted in $15,000 via the JustFund platform.
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