Resist, founded in 1967, was originally formed to oppose the war in Vietnam and to support draft resistance. By the 1970s, Resist expanded its scope dramatically by making the connection between the unequal distribution of power and money at home, and a system of U.S. domination abroad. Today, Resist remains a political organization committed to radical social change, and the activist groups that are funded reflect Resists goal of an equitable distribution of wealth and power. As such, Resist funds small budget groups who struggle towards a broad vision of social justice, while continuing to oppose political and institutional oppression.

1. Political Focus and Perspective
2. Primary Areas of Interest
3. General Support Grants and Grant Limitations
4. Grant Types
5. The Application Process
6. Other Funding Sources

Political Focus and Perspective

Resist seeks to fund organizations that are actively part of a movement for social change and that demonstrate an understanding of the connections among oppressions. As part of the application process, potential grantees must provide specific information concerning their position, programs and coalition work on a range of important issues. Resist seeks an honest evaluation from organizations about their position, or lack of a position, on issues of race, class, gender, reproductive rights, lesbian and gay rights, age and disability. Resist believes that building a movement for social change requires groups to discuss issues that may not be central to their organization or work. For those organizations who have not had the opportunity to address these issues, we hope that our grant process will help to facilitate such discussions.

Primary Areas of Interest

Resist gives small but timely grants and loans to grassroots groups engaged in activist organizing and educational work within movements for social change. Resist defines organizing as collective action to challenge the status quo, demand changes in policy and practice, and educate communities about root causes and just solutions. Resist recognizes that there are a variety of stages and strategies that lead to community organizing. Therefore, we support strategies that build community, encourage collaborations with other organizations, increase skills and/or access to resources, and produce leadership from the constituency being most directly affected.

High priority is given to groups that fall outside of mainstream funding sources because they are considered to be too “radical.”

To this end, Resist supports both on-going or new projects that address social and/or economic injustice. A sample of Resists interests include: community organizing and anti-racism projects; economic justice; environmental protection; the struggle for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered rights; health, AIDS and disability issues; labor; progressive media and culture resources; Native Americans/native peoples; peace/anti-militarism; prisoners; women; and youth. Resist also funds local solidarity organizations for movements in many different parts of the world.

General Support Grants and Grant Limitations

1. organize or educate people to take action;
2. encourage alliances and collaboration among social change organizations;
3. promote innovative approaches to organizing; and
4. promote organizational longevity (e.g. through development of fund raising strategies, publicity and outreach campaigns).

1. organizations with annual budgets over $125,000;
2. individuals;
3. groups that primarily provide direct services (to individuals, families or communities) that are not part of progressive organizing activities;
4. research, litigation or legal organizations unless they are directly connected to progressive organizing campaigns;
5. organizations located outside the United States;
6. the development or production of films, videos or radio projects;
7. media or cultural organizations not directly connected to progressive organizing campaigns;
8. organizations with access to traditional sources of funding; and
9. other foundations or grant giving organizations.

Grant Types

Priority
As defined above, organizations with an annual budget of $125,000 or less may apply for a one-year grant with the maximum amount requested not to exceed $3,000. Resist provides funds for general support as a means of enabling grantees to build infrastructure and capacity while engaged in on-going social justice activism. A description of our tribute grants can be found here.

Multi-Year Grant Program
Grantees who have been funded by Resist at least two times during the preceding five years may apply for a multi-year grant. Multi-year grants will cover a three year period and are designed to provide general support to eligible grantee organizations. All multi-year applicants must: 1) submit answers to Resist's Multi-Year Grant Questionnaire, and 2) be currently eligible to receive grant awards under Resist's Funding Guidelines.

Technical Assistance:
Resist will provide small awards to enable existing grantees to attend technical assistance opportunities. Grantees who have been funded at least two times during the preceding five years may apply for a Technical Assistance grant. Funds will be available on a quarterly basis and will be dispersed on a first come-first serve basis. Proposals are reviewed and grants awarded within a two week time frame for trainings that will occur within 3-5 months of the award. Funding guidelines for technical assistance grants can be found here.

Emergency
Emergency grants of up to $300 are available on an as-needed basis. These grants are designed to help groups respond quickly to unexpected organizing needs. While it is impossible to precisely define an emergency, these grants are generally given to provide support for demonstrations or other events arising from a political crisis. These grants are not intended to provide a safety net for groups who have failed to adequately plan for their financial needs, or who have missed the regular funding deadline.

Accessibility
Resist is committed to supporting projects that enable all people to participate in the movement for social justice. Resist will fund the additional costs of projects or events which will make them accessible to people with disabilities (e.g. signers for events, or wheelchair accessible venues) for amounts up to $3,000. Application procedures are the same as for general support grants and are considered at Resist board meetings. Decisions on accessibility grants are based on the potential success of the underlying project.

Loans
Resist has a revolving loan fund for groups that are planning direct mailings, fund raising events, subscription campaigns and other projects that are intended to raise money. Groups can also apply to the Resist loan fund for advance payments on bus rentals to transport members to marches or rallies. Loans are available in increments of $500 up to $3,000. Loan recipients are expected to repay the loan within six months unless a specific agreement has been made to the contrary. Application procedures for loans are the same as for grants and are considered at Resist board meetings. Decisions on loans are based on the potential success of the project, the group's ability to repay the loan, as well as Resist's previously stated priorities for grantmaking.

The Application Process

Funding Cycles
Proposal deadlines occur every eight weeks and funding decisions are made eight weeks thereafter. Grants will be given to an organization, group or project only once in a twelve (12) month period. In the event that a proposal is denied, a group may submit other projects for consideration without waiting for the twelve month period to elapse. Organizations which receive an accessibility grant may apply for a second project within the same twelve month funding period.

Range of Grants: $300 - $3,000

How to Apply
Applicants are welcome to call the office to clarify any questions they might have about their eligibility for funding. You may download an application directly from this site here. Applicants are encouraged to call the office and request an application by mail if they have difficulties with downloading the application. Applicants must submit Resists grant package in full by the proposal deadline. Applications which arrive at the Resist office after 5 p.m. on the day of the proposal deadline will be considered in the following grant cycle. Please note that Resist will not accept proposals by fax or by email. Technical Assistance and Emergency Grant Applications are an exception to this rule and may be e-mailed to robinc@resistinc.org

Other Funding Sources

Resist also serves as a resource center for those seeking information about other sources of funding. In support of this effort, Resist now offers its Finding Funding: A Beginner's Guide to Foundation Research, and media funders guide online.

Next section: Multi-Year Grants

Or go directly to: Application form for grant requests.