The New UU Communities Fund supports emerging spiritual communities grounded in Unitarian Universalist values and dedicated to serving people historically marginalized within our faith.

Purpose

The Fund supports new spiritual communities that are covenanted with UU values and identity. This includes a broad understanding of networked, virtual, and physical communities and spaces.

History

The New UU Communities Fund was inspired by recommendations in the 2020 Widening the Circle of Concern report from the UUA Commission on Institutional Change. The Fund launched in 2023.

The Fund was originally led by UUA staff member the Rev. Alicia Forde. The initiative helped inspire the UU Cultivators Collaborative, in partnership with Beloved, the UU Religious Innovators Network, and the New Communities Partnership.

Funding and Support

Support for this work comes from the UUA, ongoing donations, and a generous multi-year grant from the Fetzer Institute as part of its commitment to cultivate sacred-centered organizational cultures.

Leadership

In 2026, the UUA appointed the Rev. Aisha Ansano and the Rev. JeKaren Bell as co-directors to continue the legacy of the New UU Communities Fund.

Our Partners

We are grateful for the partners who help make this work possible:

• Beloved—Supports and nourishes spiritual leaders who are creating new spaces of sacred belonging.
• Glean Network—Supports spiritual innovators reimagining the role of faith in a changing world.
• Fetzer Institute—Advances spiritual approaches to addressing social problems.