4/30/10

CivSol received this grant funding to help build our organization and, specifically, to help fund our organizing efforts this summer. With the support of RESIST, along with individual donations from allies and friends, we're getting closer to launching our largest organizing efforts yet which will help ensure we stay true to our mission of working with and directly supporting vets and active-duty service members to help contribute to the growing GI resistance movement.

RESIST began in 1967 in support of draft resistance and in opposition to the Vietnam War.  As the funder of first resort for hundreds of organizations, RESIST's small but timely grants and loans are made to grassroots groups engaged in activist organizing and educational work for social change.  RESIST defines organizing as collective action to challenge the status quo, demand changes in policy and practice, and educate communities about root causes and just solutions.  RESIST recognizes that there are a variety of stages and strategies that lead to community organizing.  Therefore, they support strategies that build community, encourage collaborations with other organizations, increase skills and/or access to resources, and produce leadership from the constituency being most directly affected.  In fiscal year 2009, RESIST gave over $280,000 to 134 organizations across the country.

"Each year, RESIST funds groups like Civilian Soldier Alliance, because our mission is to support people who take a stand about the issues that matter today, whether it's to resist corporate globalization, promote a woman's right to choose, or develop activist leaders." says Board Chair Miabi Chatterji.  "And we believe it's especially important to help grassroots organizations that might be too small or too local - or too radical - for mainstream foundations."

For more information on Resist, check out their site: www.resistinc.org