Design Justice Network Finances

Image: DJN Summary Budget Table, 2021-2024. Text-only version is available at this link.

DJN Short Budget Narrative, 2021-2024

In 2021 and 2022, DJN expenses were entirely supported by membership fees (small monthly donations) totalling about $75,000/yr. This money was spent almost entirely on paying 3 contractors to provide network coordination and special projects support.

At the end of 2022, DJN was invited to apply to two grants: a two-year, $250k/yr grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to be split between the Care Pods work and general operating costs, and a two-year, $125k/yr general operating grant from OneProject.org. The initial grant disbursements arrived at the end of 2022, but the money was spent in 2023. 

In 2023, with the grant support, we were able to improve the contracts for Network Coordination and Special Projects, create a new contract for Network Storytelling, and begin the Care Pod work, with a Care Pod Lead and multiple Care Pod support contracts, Care stipends across the network, improved accessibility, and more. We were also able to organize a small in-person gathering for the first time since the pandemic lockdown.

In 2024, with the second year of grant funding, we were able to improve key contracts (Network Coordination and Storytelling); continue the Care Pod work; organize in-person gatherings for contractors and Steering Committee to think through strategy; organize in-person public workshops and DiscoTechs in Detroit, Boston, and Los Angeles, and contract much-needed accounting support. DJN was also able to redistribute $50,000 to practitioners through micro grants, as well as provide multiple care honoraria and stipends to Local Nodes. Additionally, we were able to compensate DiscoTech station managers for their time (nearly $25,000 total). We also contracted outside facilitation support to help us hold space for the network’s evolution. 2024 will end with close to $100,000 in the DJN account, which, combined with expected revenue, should enable the network to continue operating through the end of 2025.

For DJN Members

For DJN Members, if you’d like to request funds for a DJN project or working group, or node, please email us directly to coordinate. It would be ideal to submit an official email proposal with the funds you’d be requesting, what they are for and how they will be used (Eg. artist fees, printing costs, speaker fees, etc). We don’t have a formal process for funds requests yet - so hoping this informal process is a good starting point! (We’d really like to redistribute some of the funds and are passionate about hearing your ideas!)

2023 & 2024 Grant Funding Announcements

May 30 2023 Press Release Link. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Pioneering Ideas: Exploring the Future to Build a Culture of Health program funds a two-year focus on designing and dreaming liberatory cultures of care with DJN’s Care Pod team, led by Denise Shanté Brown, Corina Fadel and Jody Chan. A total of $500K over two years supports deepening and expanding DJN’s commitment to care, health equity, and healing justice work.

May 30 2023 Press Release Link. OneProject.org funding strengthens DJN member and organizational support and asks us to explore how we might navigate just transitions to a post-capitalist world through community-led design. As a hybrid program and project grant, a total of $250K over two years helps fuel ongoing general operating costs of core activities and continued development in addition to activating a new post-capitalist design inquiry within DJN.

2021 Finances Overview (Outdated)

• The Design Justice Network receives funding from five main sources:

  • Membership Fees

  • Sales of DJN Merchandise & Publications (Oracle Card Deck, Zines, Posters, T-Shirts)

  • Workshops and Talks (Honoraria, Speaker, Performance Fees (most, by the DJN Steering Committee);

  • Individual Contributions (One-time Donations)

• Our funding is primarily spent on event programming and on management and sustainability of the network, including:

  • Network Coordination (Part-Time Contracts). Our International Network Coordinators and other support contractors.

  • AMP Sponsored Project Fees. A percentage of our funding goes to AMP for fiscal sponsorship, meaning they manage DJN funds and budget for the network.

  • Travel Expenses. Annual Steering Committee planning retreats.

    Credit Card Processing Fees (Memberships and online donations).

  • Accessibility (ASL interpretation, CART, etc.).

  • Systems & Technology (Eg. Zoom account for member’s use).

  • Member Project support or Member/Node and Working Group mini-grants.