The People's Pot is a grassroots, women-led initiative in Jefferson County, Louisville, Kentucky, formed to address the persistent underfunding of small, community-based nonprofits, particularly those led by minority and BIPOC individuals. These organizations often struggle to secure funding from traditional sources, including government agencies.

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The initiative aims to create a self-sustaining funding pool by pooling the resources of participating organizations and leveraging their social capital. This approach empowers these groups to continue their essential work in areas like mental health, anti-violence, and youth mentorship.

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A 2023 report from Louisville’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence highlighted the severity of the issue, revealing a 66% decrease in external agency grant funding in Louisville Metro over the past 20 years. Many nonprofits operate on budgets of less than $50,000, and some have no funding at all.

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The People's Pot seeks to change this by creating a collaborative financial support network. Since its launch in June, nearly 20 Louisville organizations have joined the collective, and they have raised $3,500 towards their $10,000 goal. The initiative emphasizes the importance of collective action and the potential for even small contributions to create significant change within their communities.