About (New)

Mission

The Peace Development Fund works to build the capacity of community-based organizations through grants, training, and other resources as partners in human rights and social justice movements. As a public foundation, we nourish, foster, and encourage the diverse, self-sustaining and economically viable communities that are essential to building a peaceful, just and equitable world.

Vision

We envision a world in which all people live in communities that are economically sustainable, healthy and in balance with the natural environment. This world fosters self-determination and cultural dignity, social and economic justice flourish, human rights are respected, and individuals and communities practice equitable relationships that honor and respect each other’s ways of life.

We believe in a culture in which conflicts are resolved through non-violent action and dialogue, and which values the common good above the comfort of a few. We are concerned about global capitalist economies, corporate and nation state hegemony over most aspects of life, and the loss of lands, territories and resources of indigenous peoples.

We are part of the interconnected web of funders, organizers, trainers, donors, community leaders and others working to build the people’s movement.

We challenge ourselves and others to learn and grow, to ask questions, to find solutions and to take action to confront and eliminate oppression so that together, we can build the world we envision.

History

The Peace Development Fund (PDF) was founded in 1981 when a small group of donor activists came together with a common vision of funding social justice and peace through a public foundation. PDF was founded on the belief that lasting change will come only when a large amount of people are well informed and empowered to make change. PDF has always believed that true democratic change must take place from the bottom up. That change can only endure with citizens who are both informed and clear about what they believe.

Throughout its history, PDF has always looked at peace as not just the absence of war or militarism, but as the presence of equitable relationships among people, nations and the environment. This understanding of peace has allowed PDF to bring a social, environmental and economic justice perspective to its work.

Looking back over nearly 40 years, PDF has had a great number of successes. These successes make up the bedrock and foundation upon which PDF builds the next 40 years. We look forward to this next period of funding the grassroots movement in the United States and beyond.