Grantmaking

Each year PDF receives hundreds of proposals from grassroots community organizations seeking funding. Through a careful review and interview process, PDF selects those organizations that will have a significant impact in their geographic and social justice focus area, or are working on issues that are not yet recognized by progressive funders.

For information on how to apply, click the drop down menus below.

Community Organizing Grants (COG)

The Peace Development Fund offers a variety of Grantmaking programs. The largest program, the Community Organizing Grants (COG), includes three funds: Seeding the Movement Fund, Western Mass Transformation Fund, and The Braiding New Worlds Fund. Any organization that fits PDF’s guidelines is eligible to apply for a grant. PDF currently only funds organizations in the United States, Haiti and Mexico. Please note that you can apply to any of the COG funds through the same application!

Seeding the Movement Fund

The STM Fund is PDF's largest grantmaking fund. Grant sizes have increased in the most recent cycle, and on average grantees were awarded $8,000. An average of 20 organizations are selected for funding per cycle. More information can be found here.

Braiding New Worlds

In celebration of PDF’s 40th anniversary, PDF established the youth-focused Braiding New Worlds Fund. Grants averaging $5,000 are awarded to youth-led and youth-oriented organizations around the country. The Braiding New World Fund committee members were young people aged 18 to 25 years old. An average of 8 organizations are selected for funding per cycle. More information can be found here (link to stand alone BNW page).

Western MA Transformation Fund

The Western Mass Transformation Fund supports grassroots efforts of communities working towards social justice in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties of Western Mass, with deliberate attention given to organizations led by people of color. Organizations must have a focus on community organizing and building power for systemic change. Average grants size is $5,000. More infomation can be found here (link to stand alone WMTF page).

Land Back Fund

The 2024 established Land Back Fund honors PDF’s former Executive Director Paul Haible, and his years of commitment to Indigenous rights. While the end goal is to receive rematriated land, many smaller groups need some technical assistance and capacity building support before they are ready to steward land itself. With PDF’s Land Justice Fund, PDF is excited to support grassroots organizations with pre-acquisition funding to support such technical assistance and capacity building efforts.

Land Justice Fund

While the end goal is to receive rematriated land, many smaller groups need some technical assistance and capacity building support before they are ready to steward land itself. With PDF’s Land Justice Fund, PDF is excited to support grassroots organizations with pre-acquisition funding to support such technical assistance and capacity building efforts. To learn more, click here (stand alone page).

De Colores Rapid Response Fund

De Colores RRF is looking to impact positive, dynamic-shifting opportunities, rather than provide emergency response for humanitarian crises or technical assistance. It is designed to make funds available for quick, short-term delivery to hot spots of opportunity for organizing in marginalized urban and rural communities.

De Colores Rapid Response Fund

Proposals are accepted all year, and reviewed regularly.Groups will be notified within one to three weeks and checks will be mailed the following week. Grants are in the $500 to $1,000 range. Applications are accepted from coalitions, organizations and non-501(c)(3) groups, but not to fund individual efforts. For more infomation, click here (stand alone page). To apply, click here.

Please ensure your organization and project align with our grantmaking pillars:

Organizing to Shift Power
Working to Build a Movement
Dismantling Oppression
Creating New Structures

Please review the grant guidelines for more information on each pillar.

Contact Information: For application assistance or questions, please contact us at peacedevfund@gmail.com or call 431-256-8306.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Application Questions:

Q: What is the average grant amount?
A: The average grant amount for the Community Organizing Grants is $5,000. Grant ranges vary by fund. De Colores Rapid Response grants are $1,000 maximum.

Q: Can I apply for multiple funds?”
A: Yes, you can apply to any of the COG funds through the same application (only De Colores is seperate).

Q: What is the deadline for applications?”
A: The application deadline for the 2025 Community Organizing Grants is January 31st, 2026. De Colores RRF has no deadline, and can be applied for at any time.

Q: When will grant decisions be announced?
A: Final grant decisions will be announced by the end of April 2026.

Eligibility Questions:

Q: Which geographic areas do you fund?
A: PDF currently funds organizations in the United States, Haiti, and Mexico.

Q: What types of organizations do you fund?
A: We fund small grassroots community organizations working towards social justice, with a budget of $250,000 or less.

Q: Are fiscal sponsors allowed?
A: Yes, fiscal sponsors are allowed. Please see the eligibility tab for more details.