Grants for Conflict Resolution

Each year the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) makes direct grants to hundreds of nongovernmental organizations worldwide working to advance democratic goals and strengthen democratic institutions.

Each year, NED makes more than 2,000 grants to support the projects of non-governmental groups abroad who are working for democratic goals in more than 100 countries.

NED is interested in proposals from local, independent organizations for nonpartisan programs that seek to:

• Promote and defend human rights and the rule of law
• Support freedom of information and independent media
• Strengthen democratic ideas and values
• Promote accountability and transparency
• Strengthen civil society organizations
• Strengthen democratic political processes and institutions
• Promote civic education
• Support democratic conflict resolution
• Promote freedom of association
• Strengthen a broad-based market economy

The Global Pluralism Award celebrates and supports efforts and achievements that advance pluralism. The Award is given every two years to individuals, organizations, government bodies and private sector actors, from any country, that demonstrate exceptional and sustained achievement in building more inclusive societies in which human diversity is protected and valued.

Three Award winners will share a total prize pool of CAD $150,000. The monetary prize will be equally divided among the three Award winners (CAD $50,000 each).

In addition to the financial Award, the Centre will work with Award winners to develop a program of in-kind support and engagement. This may include communications support, opportunities to engage in activities of the Centre and other organizations, residency/internships at the Centre,  inclusion in the Centre’s pluralism education and training initiatives, etc.

Candidates need to demonstrate an exceptional and sustained contribution to pluralism. The Centre defines pluralism as an ethic of respect for human differences. Pluralism is a positive response to diversity, grounded in mutual recognition and respect. Pluralism results from the daily decisions taken by state institutions, civil society organizations and individuals to recognize and value human differences. Belonging is the goal of pluralism. In pluralist societies, choices are made to ensure the full participation of all people in political, economic and socio-cultural life. Every person becomes a valued member of society – regardless of gender, sexual orientation, nationality, ability, racial, ethnic, religious or cultural differences. Inclusive societies are promoted by a wide range of actors from multiple disciplines including, but not limited to, legal reform, human rights, democracy promotion, social cohesion, education, ethnic relations, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, migration and integration, media, arts and culture, etc.

Note: deadlines above are for General Support, Accessibility, and Multiyear applications.

Resist Grantmaking

Resist believes in grassroots organizing, creativity, and power. 

That is why we strive to be a very different type of foundation. We are a grassroots foundation, with grassroots donors, that supports grassroots action.

Funding Priorities

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.  

Therefore Resist funds groups that:

Resist.

Groups that organize, base build, engage in direct action and cultural organizing. Groups organize within communities for structural social and economic change. Groups develop tools for consciousness raising, including popular education and radical pedagogy development.

Re-imagine.

Groups that actively build new systems that provide alternatives to the ones we're fighting now. These groups live into transformative justice by creating community-based alternatives to dehumanizing or inaccessible institutions and systems. This work might look like: alternatives to policing, urban gardens, cooperative childcare, etc.

Build Resilience.

Groups that are creating through arts and cultural work and all forms of creative resilience building. Groups that are healing through sacred resistance, sustainability, ritual, bodywork, and other embodied healing for communities engaged in the work of liberation.

Groups that are aligned with Resist will fit most of the following:

• Their work is located within an ecology of social justice organizations. They are aware of how their work fits into a greater whole. Work reflects a clear understanding of purpose and function within movements for social change
• have an intersectional / cross-issue analysis
• work actively against white and Christian supremacy, capitalism, gender and sexual oppression and all forms of patriarchy
• are led by those most affected by structural oppression

General Support Grants

General Support Grants are available for up to $4,000 to support groups who are building movements for justice and liberation and resisting systemic oppression through grassroots/cultural organizing, art-making and resilience building. General support grants are awarded by a panel of previously funded Resist grantees. Groups are funded based on the strength of their overall application. Awards can be used to best meet your group’s needs. Groups can only be funded once per 12-month period. There is no limit to the number of times a grantee can receive funds. If a group has been fully funded twice in the past five years, they may apply for a multi-year grant.

Multi-year Grants

Open only to current grantees who meet the above requirements and have been fully funded twice in the past five years. Multi-year funding consists of three years of full funding ($4000), starting with the year the multi-year application is submitted. If you are eligible and would like to apply for a Multi-Year Grant, send us an email so we can provide the access code that you will input into our online application system.

Accessibility Grants

Resist is committed to supporting projects that enable all people to participate in the movement for justice and liberation. Resist will fund the additional costs of making projects or events more accessible to community members with specific accessibility needs. Accessibility grants are awarded up to $4,000.

Rapid Response Grants

Resist offers $1,000 Rapid Response grants to better meet the needs of frontline groups and organizations. This grant is decided on by Resist staff and generally has a one week turn around.

Resist offers Rapid Response Grants for groups and organizations to:

• Imagine and Build: for groups seeking financial support with training, consultation, healing, cultural work, conflict resolution, and/or restructuring. Examples include (but are not limited to): developing organizing skills, exploration of new strategies,community-led arts and culture work, board and staff development, fundraising support, and training, computer, and software training, transformative and strategic planning.
• Resist and Respond: for groups seeking to respond to unforeseen and timely political opportunities with organizing and/or cultural interventions. Examples include (but are not limited to) organizing direct action, creative resistance, and travel to protests in response to a call to action.

Emergency and Technical Assistance Grants

Open and ongoing (decision and notification within one week of receiving the application) 

NDN Collective

NDN is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power. Through organizing, activism, philanthropy, grantmaking, capacity-building and narrative change, we are creating sustainable solutions on Indigenous terms.

Community Self-Determination Grants 

Purpose and Approach

Community Self-Determination Grants are intended to support community-based and community-driven sustainable solutions in all three of NDN Collective’s core strategies to Defend, Develop and Decolonize. Grants are intended to support and invest in the long-term visions and sustainability of Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led organizations, fortifying the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples to create a just, equitable, and sustainable world for all people and the planet. Significant, flexible, multi-year funding will include the infusion of general operating support, capacity building, capital and holistic support for comprehensive initiatives and specific programs.

Community Self-Determination Grants are intended to strengthen and leverage long-term financial sustainability of Indigenous-led organizations, including capital support and investments. This type of funding will not only give Indigenous organizations the kind of runway that has been long understood as healthy for startups and private-sector companies, but transformative for community-based and grass-roots organizations, including those who are closest to the issues and the impact. While we fund national efforts, we intentionally prioritize grassroots, community-based efforts. Climate justice and Indigenous justice are at the heart of the intent behind the Community Self-Determination Grant.

NDN’s grantmaking approach is based on reciprocity and mutual aid, which may include thought partnership and capacity building resources. Relationship is at the core of this approach, encouraging systemic change and participation in which the people most affected take responsibility for one another and for changing systemic conditions. It is up to the community to determine the steps for true self-determination. NDN funds can support the material needs of communities while also addressing root causes and solution building that is shaped by the community. This approach encourages innovative, creative and free thinking for long-term change.

NDN will remain steadfast in its commitment to uphold and advance regenerative, Earth-centered principles of community and economic development. ‘Regenerative’ is the ability to regrow, renew or restore, particularly after loss or damage. NDN’s commitment to a new and better normal is also part of community self-determination, resilience and sustainability, therefore NDN seeks to support Tribes, Indigenous nations, communities and organizations who are also committed to more innovative, sustainable solutions. NDN is deeply committed to supporting Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination that supports justice and equity for people and the planet.

These principles and the NDN Collective’s framework of Defend, Develop, Decolonize will be utilized as a lens in which to review and select grantee-partners.

Community Driven Solutions

Because this program focuses on community-driven solutions, we encourage larger nations and organizations to coordinate among your various departments to submit an application reflecting your community’s efforts to Defend, Develop and Decolonize.

It is the intent of NDN Collective to provide meaningful support across multiple regions, therefore, applicants will be expected to describe their community self-determination efforts within one of the following strategic focus areas that is best suited for their community’s intentions and goals. New or expanded initiatives, or capacity building of existing efforts and entities may also be supported.

DEFEND

"Indigenous Peoples, communities and nations defend and protect our land, air, water and natural resources."

Efforts may include but are not limited to protecting and reclaiming lands, water, and natural resources, such as:

• Grassroots, frontline organizing and community mobilization to defend and protect clean water, air and land from extractive industries and exploitation;
• Indigenous-led environmental movements and efforts to stop the extraction of the earth’s natural resources on and near tribal territories.
• Direct action efforts of the climate and environmental justice movement.

DEVELOP

"Indigenous Peoples, communities and nations are developed in a resilient, regenerative and sustainable manner based on our values and connection to land, culture and identity."

Efforts may include but are not limited to community and economic development/resilience based on sustainable, regenerative principles, climate change solutions and mitigation, such as:

• Sustainable food systems, food sovereignty and security initiatives; sustainable community agriculture, gardens, food harvesting and processing, community hunting and fishing, sustainable herd management, shared community food pantries and food distribution;
• Community water initiatives; protecting or developing clean water sources; community pumps or wells, water purification and sanitation, ecological wastewater treatment systems, such as constructed wetlands, greywater systems, and composting toilet implementation, and bioremediation of contaminated soils and water;
• Community planning and implementation of sustainable, regenerative, and innovative solutions for community preparedness and resiliency;
• Renewable energy sources, i.e.; wind, solar, geo-thermal
• Energy transition that is environmentally, socially and economically just; that reduces carbon emissions and footprints; Net-Zero initiatives;
• Financial planning and transition to new or alternative revenue streams based on regenerative principles of economic and community development;
• Resilient and regenerative infrastructure improvements or development, including housing, broadband or increased internet speed and capacity; improved or upgraded software systems and technological training to support virtual and tele-abilities to learn, access health, conduct business, up-to-date communications access;
• Capital investments for economic mobility to diversify economies, long-term regenerative business development in various sectors, including decreasing risk of a larger investment; investments in building the capacity of people through education, training, and consulting to be well-equipped leaders in creating just, and resilient economies and infrastructure.

DECOLONIZE

"Indigenous ceremonies, cultures, languages and ways of life are revitalized, recognized and celebrated."

Efforts may include, but are not limited to intergenerational transmission and continuity of language, culture, ceremonial practices, traditional governance and decision-making structures, and lifeways, such as:

• Governance and leadership transformation, transition or development grounded in Indigenous values and practices, including constitutional reforms, reintegration of traditional governance structures, or decentralized, consensus-based decision making practices;
• Indigenous health and safety; providing and reclamation of Indigenous health, wellness, community care, healing and medicinal practices, including social, emotional, and cultural support;
• Language revitalization – Community immersion programs; teacher preparation and language apprentice programs; family language nests;
• Decolonized education models;
• Youth, family and community initiatives to restore, renew and support Indigenous language, cultural practices, creativity and lifeways;
• Community harmony, safety and protection efforts, including addressing physical and sexual violence; Indigenous peace-making and conflict resolution initiatives, community restorative justice practices, protocols and teachings.

Background 

The H. C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation was created in 1956 by the philanthropy and vision of Hiram C. and Edith Gemmer, and their son, H. Robert Gemmer. The founders’ convictions and charitable interests focuses on peace, justice, sobriety, and racial harmony. They were also strong supporters of ecumenical and inter-organizations. By the generosity and estate planning of H. Robert Gemmer, the value of the Foundation’s assets grew fourfold following his death in 1992. The Foundation board meets semi-annually, normally the weekend after Memorial Day and the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Primary Areas of Funding

Peace with Justice

• Alternative to Violence, militarism and War
• Conflict Resolution
• Reconciliation and Healing
• Peace Education
• Criminal Justice

Human Rights

• Anti-Discrimination and Protection
• Immigrants’ rights
• Diversity and Intergroup Relations
• Social Justice
• Economic Justice

NOTE: Submissions are due to ACR no later than 11:59 PM local time of the organization’s legal/main location on the deadlines above. 

JAMS Foundation/ACR Initiative for Students and Youth

The JAMS Foundation/ACR Initiative for Students and Youth provides grant funding for conflict prevention and dispute resolution programs for K-12 students and for adults working with youth populations in ways that directly transfer CRE skills from adults to youth.

Each year, the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) and the JAMS Foundation identify specific subject areas seeking to address otherwise unresolved issues and unmet needs of both general and target youth populations, based on current research and feedback from leaders and stakeholders in the dispute resolution and education fields.

Funding contexts for selected subject areas will vary, and may include community-based organizations, alternative education settings (online education, charter schools), after-school programs, court- or juvenile justice-connected programs, as well as programs operating in traditional K-12 school districts.

Once a target subject area has been determined, a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) soliciting Initial Project Ideas will be posted on the ACR and JAMS Foundation websites and distributed through other appropriate venues. Following ACR’s review of the Initial Project Ideas received, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full grant proposal for review by ACR’s Grant Review Committee.

All grant inquires and proposals should be directed to ACR. Grant proposals submitted in response to the Notice of Funding Availability will first be reviewed by ACR, with subsequent review and final approval by the JAMS Foundation Board, based on recommendations from ACR and the Board’s own review of top-ranked proposals.

It is anticipated that for each designated subject area, 1-2 applicants will be selected each year to receive Year 1 grant funding of up to $40,000 to support their efforts to develop, refine, or expand programming in that subject area. Grant recipients may also be eligible for Year 2 funding of up to $20,000, contingent upon the satisfactory achievement of Year 1 benchmarks and goals.

Current Areas of Concentration

The 2022 Funding Track will continue and expand the 2021 Funding Focus on conflict resolution education and training for youth to create opportunities to prevent and manage conflict in the following settings:

• Domestic violence shelters
• Homeless shelters
• Foster care
• Youth correctional facilities
• School or after-school programs