Private Grants

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that promote and sustain the work of contemporary writers in various literary genres.

This program provides financial support to Latin American graduate students conducting field research focused on the conservation of grasslands in the American tropics.

This grant provides funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that support social impact initiatives, particularly those benefiting Lithuanian communities in the U.S. and Lithuania, focusing on areas like youth empowerment, education, and cultural engagement.

This grant provides funding to farms seeking to improve animal welfare through innovative practices, infrastructure development, and collaborative efforts in transitioning to more humane and sustainable farming systems.

This grant provides financial support to individuals with a bachelor's degree pursuing research in natural sciences, particularly food sciences, to promote cross-cultural understanding between Japan and the global community.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities in the Chattanooga region that are working to improve opportunities for children, enhance economic mobility for families, and foster community connections, particularly for households facing financial challenges.

This program provides financial support to small and mid-sized farms focused on improving the welfare of food-producing animals through humane and sustainable practices.

This grant provides funding for innovative research projects that aim to prevent doping in sports and promote clean sport through evidence-based programs and policies.

This grant recognizes and supports young leaders aged 18 to 30 who are using technology to effectively address extreme poverty and advance global development goals.

This grant provides funding and support for organizations and innovators to implement eco-friendly solutions that tackle pollution issues in the Black Sea region, specifically in Georgia, Moldova, and Türkiye.

This grant provides funding to early-career researchers worldwide to support innovative projects that improve the understanding and treatment of brain tumors.

This grant provides $200,000 to support collaborative research projects between two investigators from different institutions, focusing on innovative approaches to improve the understanding and treatment of brain tumors.

This grant provides financial support to undergraduate student-athletes in the U.S. who demonstrate excellence in both academics and athletics, helping them pursue their educational and athletic goals.

This initiative provides financial support to small business owners in the U.S. for growth-related expenses such as marketing, hiring, and technology upgrades, exclusively for members of the National Association for the Self-Employed.

This program provides funding to support community development projects initiated by local organizations and individuals within a 24-county service area, focusing on enhancing quality of life through various charitable efforts.

This program provides funding to grassroots organizations led by or serving Latinx communities in the U.S. and Puerto Rico for heritage conservation and historic preservation projects.

This funding opportunity supports community-based projects in Hubbard County that aim to create lasting positive impacts for local residents through public service initiatives.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Connecticut that support programs for inner-city youth and youth amateur sports.

This funding opportunity supports grassroots organizations in western Massachusetts that are dedicated to empowering communities and promoting social justice through effective community organizing.

The De Colores Rapid Response Fund is a program of the Peace Development Fund (PDF), created in honor of retired Development Officer Ray Santiago, who was deeply involved in the farmworker movement. Named after a beloved traditional Mexican folk song associated with solidarity and grassroots activism, the fund embodies the same spirit of resilience and unity. It is designed to respond quickly to dynamic and strategic opportunities for organizing in marginalized urban and rural communities across the United States and U.S. territories, rather than providing humanitarian aid or technical support. The fund supports short-term interventions at key moments of social change or crisis, where rapid, well-thought-out responses can make a measurable impact. These might include unanticipated events or strategic inflection points such as social justice uprisings or cultural shifts. The fund specifically targets groups organizing within communities of color and low-income or working-class populations. Preference is given to organizations with annual budgets under $250,000 and with limited access to traditional philanthropic support. Grants range from $500 to $1,000, and project budgets should not exceed $5,000. Funding is intended for groups already rooted in grassroots organizing work. The fund does not support individual applicants, groups based outside the U.S., budget shortfalls, or long-term pre-planned campaigns. It also excludes general operating support, charity events, direct services, and ongoing programming. Applications are accepted from organizations, coalitions, and non-501(c)(3) groups, provided they align with the Peace Development Fund's principles and are based in the U.S. or its territories. The application process begins with a brief interest form. If an organization qualifies, PDF staff will schedule an interview to discuss the proposal further. Decisions are typically made within one to three weeks of submission, with funds disbursed shortly after approval. Grants are issued on a rolling basis throughout the year, enabling rapid turnaround and deployment of resources when needed most. Applicants must demonstrate clear goals and desired outcomes tied to the event or opportunity they are responding to. Funded projects are expected to support systemic social change and reflect the Peace Development Fund’s core values of shifting power, building movements, dismantling oppression, and creating alternative community-based structures. Final reports are required within three months of receiving the grant and must outline how the funds were used and what progress was made toward the project’s objectives. This rapid response mechanism provides timely support to organizations poised to make a significant impact during critical moments of transformation.