Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Reconciliation Fund?

The Reconciliation Fund awards $400,000 annually to community-based projects that aim to have an impact on Descendant communities whose ancestors were once enslaved on the Maryland Jesuit plantations. 

What sort of projects are eligible for funds?

Applications will be prioritized based on how they demonstrate an impact on Descendant communities connected to Jesuit slaveholding in the U.S., particularly the families who were once enslaved on plantations in Maryland and sold in 1838 to plantation owners in Louisiana. Projects must be community-based: their impact cannot be limited to an individual or to a restricted group and must demonstrate a broader impact on the community. 

What are community-based projects?

Community-based projects can take a variety of forms and cover a wide range of areas including health and legal clinics, environmental justice projects, after school and pre-college programs, projects focused on local history and memorialization and more. 

How much funding will be awarded?

The Reconciliation Fund will award $400,000 annually to community-based projects. The fund aims to give out roughly $200,000 per application cycle, with two application cycles per year (one in the fall and one in the spring). The amount given out during any even cycle will be determined based on the applications received during that application period. In the fall 2022 cycle $200,000 was distributed. In the spring 2023, $200,000 will be available for distribution. This process will repeat each year.

What questions are being asked of organizations when they apply?

Organizations can find the sample questions, as well as additional information, on the Organizational Application Questions page.

What questions are being asked of individuals when they apply?

Individuals can find the sample questions, as well as additional information, on the Individual Application Questions page.

How many grants will be awarded? What is the maximum award amount?

In order to maximize impact, there is not a maximum grant award or limit on how many projects will be awarded. The fund will provide $400,000 annually and, depending on the applications received, anticipates awarding about $200,000 per award cycle. Applications will be prioritized based on how they demonstrate an impact on Descendant communities connected to Jesuit slaveholding in the U.S., particularly the families who were once enslaved on plantations in Maryland and sold in 1838 to plantation owners in Louisiana. 

Who can I reach out to with questions?

You may reach out to reconciliationfund@georgetown.edu with questions.

Who is eligible to apply for funds?

Applications are open to both organizations and individuals. Projects/programs may expand on an existing project or may be a new project/program. 

How can I apply?

Please visit the Reconciliation Fund Application web page for more details on how to apply. The second application cycle recently closed on September 5, 2023. A new application cycle will open in October 2023. 

Applications are open to organizations and to individuals proposing new projects. You may also sign up to receive updates about the Reconciliation Fund and future applications.

When will projects and programs be selected? 

Georgetown has announced the Fall 2022 awardees. The Spring/Summer 2023 application was due on September 5, 2023. Selected applications will be announced later this fall. 

Who decides how the fund is allocated? 

The Student Awards Committee and the Descendant Advisory Committee review applications. The Student Awards Committee provides recommendations to Georgetown, based on their discussions and consultations with the Descendant Advisory Committee, regarding the projects/programs that should receive funding and the proposed funding amount. The Georgetown University Review Board, consisting of University administrators, is responsible for reviewing these recommendations and making a final determination about award recipients and distributing the funds.

Does Georgetown receive any money as part of this process? 

No. All funds raised for the Reconciliation Fund will be put directly into the fund to be distributed to grantees.

I want to be involved in the Student Awards Committee. 

Please email reconciliationfund@georgetown.edu. 

I want to be involved in the Descendant Advisory Committee. 

Please email reconciliationfund@georgetown.edu. 

How can I support the fund?

Visit give.georgetown.edu/smr to provide financial support for the fund.

I am a Descendant or think I may be a Descendant of enslaved people connected to Georgetown or the Jesuits. I am interested in learning about the Descendant admissions policy or other projects at Georgetown related to Descendant engagement. 

Information for Descendants is available on the Slavery, Memory, and Reconciliation website. You can also reach out to descendants@georgetown.edu with questions.

I am a member of the media, how can I learn more?

Members of the media should send any questions to media@georgetown.edu.