Culture of Justice 2.0 is a three-year, $6 million initiative of our Arts & Culture Program in partnership with Movement Strategy Center. The initiative invests in and collaborates with community-based organizations that mobilize directly impacted residents and contribute to cultural and community resilience in their neighborhoods.  

Building on the original Culture of Justice initiative, this new phase expands the work beyond community justice to explore how artists, culture bearers, organizers, community-based organizations and residents use creative practices to advance long-term systems transformation in place. 

The initiative supports a national cohort of 15 organizations through multi-year general operating grants and non-financial supports, including peer exchange, co-learning, knowledge-sharing, wellness and care-centered programming. Cohort programming is being shaped through a co-design process grounded in grantee experience, insight and creativity. 

Culture of Justice 2.0 is anchored in three pillars: 

• Support and strengthen community-based partners using culture and creativity as an essential dimension of long-term systems transformation.
• Deepen connections through a trans-local cohort and access to networks working to advance culture and community resilience.
• Collectively envision a future where people living with low incomes can thrive and lead holistic,joyfuland self-determined lives. 

The initiative reflects Kresge’s belief that culture and creativity are critical resources for healthy, sustainable and just communities. Through this work, Kresge and Movement Strategy Center are supporting organizations that center resident agency, narrative change, collective action, healing, justice and community resilience. 

This is not an open call for funding. Culture of Justice 2.0 is a closed cohort initiative developed through existing relationships with selected grantee partners and new partners invited to fill strategic issue-area or geographic gaps. 

Our Partner

Movement Strategy Center (MSC) supports the Kresge team and the Culture of Justice cohort through grant disbursement, cohort programming, peer exchange, co-learning and wellness-centered activities. MSC is a movement support organization that weaves, builds and amplifies power to accelerate a Just Transition through fiscal sponsorship, philanthropic services and capacity building offerings.