Dear Resister,
We know that even in the face of great strife and challenge—attacks on bodily autonomy, Trans and LGBQ+ rights, hostility toward undocumented workers, devastating climate change, skyrocketing prices of essentials with stagnant wages—grassroots movements never let up in their commitment for a better world no matter who sits in the halls of government, and neither should we.
Now, more than ever, we need YOU, and so do our movements for justice and liberation.
This past grant cycle, we redistributed $263,000 to 45 grassroots groups. Despite this, we aren't celebrating.
Read our memo below for some important news about changes to our November grant cycle and internal infrastructure.
Invest in Grassroots Movements
Resist, unlike conventional foundations, does not have an endowment, making it critical for our staff collective to sustain our available resources. Every year, we fundraise from over 8,000 supporters, such as you, who believe that grassroots activism is democracy’s last hope.
[Click to enlarge the infographic].
[ID: 2023 August Grant Cycle infographic. The background image is a protestor holding up a megaphone and wearing a hoodie that reads: "Fund Black Futures".]
As an election year draws near, many are turning to funnel money into the pockets of politicians, but we know that real change occurs on the frontlines and not in the halls of power. Below you can read about two of Hell Yeah! Grantees who are setting up Indigenous communities of care for healing and land justice as well as working to make our world accessible for ALL.
[ID: Members of Arco Iris Earth Care Project pose for a picture in the wilderness after their 39th Annual Caminata.]
The Arco Iris Earth Care Project is a rural grassroots sanctuary in Arkansas led by Two-Spirit Women of Color dedicated to the conservation, preservation and teaching of Indigenous cultural, spiritual, and sustainability practices. Grounded in ancestral, ecofeminist, and anti-racist principles, their work focuses on nourishing relationships with women, youth of color, and Queer folks to learn about climate, healing, and environmental justice.
The Independence Seekers Project (ISP) is a Disability Justice organization created by and for people with disabilities working to empower a new generation of disability activists, redefine community, build power, and sabotage ableism on their own terms. ISP believes: “A community of mutual reliance is a community where everyone thrives.” They work to mentor, heal, and empower their community members through mental health training, advocacy and mutual aid efforts, leadership development, strategic campaign development, and more, so that they can foster interdependent communities where EVERYONE can access what they need to thrive, not just survive.
Invest in Grassroots Movements
In solidarity,
Kathy Lebrón
Co-director, Resist
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1. arcoirisearthcareproject.com
2. independenceseekersproject.org
IMPORTANT NEWS MEMO
“Change is constant.” — Octavia Butler
Resist is at a critical moment in our 56 year RESIST legacy. Though we are excited to announce that in 2023 alone we have redistributed $650,000 to radical grassroots organizations, Resist will not hold a November 2023 Grant Cycle.
We’re aware this shift may impact grantees who look forward to our end of year cycle and, still, our staff collective looks forward to what this means for our grantees in the future.
The remainder of 2023 and 2024 will center on our internal development to increase capacity and our grant sizes in a sustainable way. Octavia Butler reminds us that “change is constant” and we believe Resist is part of a long and beautiful tradition rooted in the revolutionary, creative, and courageous groups that we have supported in the past. In an effort to grow and sustain our position as a radical philanthropic and movement institution we need to make some shifts. These shifts will give our staff collective, board and grant panel(s) the opportunity to deepen our impact, grow our giving capacity and further lead funder communities toward more radical resource distribution.
We’re so grateful for the support of our grantees, donors and comrades in movements for justice and liberation. Please stay tuned as we honor almost 60 years of radical giving by deepening our alignment and commitment to radical resource redistribution.
Resist is a foundation that supports people's movements for justice and liberation. We redistribute resources back to frontline communities at the forefront of change while amplifying their stories of building a better world.
