2023 LA BORINQUEÑA GRANT AWARDS
La Borinqueña is the only superhero series dedicated to philanthropic work. Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez created the character, writes, and publishes the graphic novel with his partner Kyung Jeon-Miranda under their studio Somos Arte. In 2018 they started their La Borinqueña Grant Awards to support local non-profits in Puerto Rico and won Edgardo the comic book industry’s highest honor, the Eisner, for their humanitarian work in Puerto Rico. Together, Edgardo and Kyung visit Puerto Rico to award micro-grants to local non-profit organizations and projects in Puerto Rico that are committed to sustainable development in the areas of child development, women's health, agriculture, environmental justice, and the arts that also recognize the preservation of Afro-Puerto Rican heritage. Their charity work started just weeks after the devastation of Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria in 2017. It was then that DC Comics teamed up with Edgardo to produce the best-selling graphic novel anthology Ricanstruction: Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico. This book and others they have published under their studio Somos Arte have raised close to a quarter of a million dollars to their charity work in Puerto Rico. Recently their collaboration with NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) helped them produce the publication La Borinqueña Guest Starring Rosario Dawson with their real-life longtime actor/activist ally and friend. In 2023 they return to Puerto Rico to award micro-grants as part of their commitment to support organizations that help them envision a thriving Puerto Rico that is self-sufficient.
Specifically, funds may be used to:
· Provide educational/recreational/artistic direct services to children: in-school, after-school, summer camps
· Provide vocational/educational/health related services to women
· Provide ecological/environmental preservation services to communities: wildlife, coastal, nature-preserves, water purification, renewable energy
· Provide direct services related to food and agriculture: cooperative farms, soup kitchens
· Provide support for artist collectives or arts organizations
APPLYING FOR A GRANT
Eligible Requests
This Request for Proposals invites applications that directly benefit the people of Puerto Rico by non-profit community-based organizations and agencies based in Puerto Rico. We will not make grants to individuals or government agencies, or for capital building projects, lobbying or religious purposes or non-profits based outside of Puerto Rico. Funds must be used in already existing ongoing projects with measurable and positive outcomes.
Grant proposals should adhere to the format outlined in these guidelines.
Award Amount: Applicants may apply for up to $5000 for proposed projects and activities. Grants awarded will support one year of activity.
Key Dates: Friday, March 17, 2023, Proposals due by 3:00 PM
Final awards will be announced no later than April 3, 2023.
Proposals must be submitted electronically to Kyung Jeon-Miranda (she/her) at grants @ la-borinquena.com by the due date and time indicated above. A single PDF file containing all materials is preferred. Any late applications will not be accepted.