OCTOBER 2019
Defending human, civil and constitutional rights
The financial and housing crises between 2007 and 2010 are still being felt. Low income families, single mothers, and people of color are among the most affected groups that are still dealing with the aftermath of these events. Fortunately, many people won’t go down without a fight! Organizations have been formed all across the country that work to support, educate, and empower marginalized groups still dealing with the Great Recession.
E mpowering the Un-sheltered
Portland, OR
In 2009, Right 2 Survive was created by Ibrahim Mubarak, the former co-founder of Dignity Village and Right 2 Dream Too, in order to address the targeting and criminalization of the homeless community in Oregon that was on the rise.

Their mission since then has been to educate housed and houseless people about their civil, human and constitutional rights. They bring people together by clearing away the misconceptions and stigmas around houselessness. Many of the issues that the organization is dealing with come from laws which make it even more difficult to find safe places to sleep for houseless people and which bolster vigilante/hate groups. Despite these disheartening truths, R2S continues their work and with the help of a PDF Community Organizing grant, fund their programs. Read more about what they are doing.
They Shall Not Be Moved
Springfield, MA
Springfield No One Leaves/Nadie Se Mude was created in 2010 as a direct response to the foreclosure crisis in their city and to support the communities most affected by it. One way they were able to do that was the creation of the Bank Tenant Association, a member-led association of tenants who, through a combination of direct public action and legal defense, prevented the evictions of 99% of their members. PDF was able to provide funding for this and other programs through the Pioneer Valley Community Advised Fund .   Read more about their Springfield Tenant Organizing Project.
Take an RMD from an IRA
Tax savings that benefit charitable giving
Whether you’re working or retired at age 70½, you must start taking withdrawals from your Traditional, Rollover, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs. But did you know that you can transfer up to $100,000 to charities? Known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), these funds have to come from your IRA and must be paid directly to a qualified charity like Peace Development Fund. This special distribution can satisfy your required minimum distributions (RMDs) amount and be excluded from your taxable income. Contact your financial institution to make sure the transfer is executed correctly—and don’t wait until the December 31 deadline! Contact us at PDF for more information or call 413-256-8306.
Put These Dates on Your Calendar!
 
What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger: Lessons from The Sustainability Project
Monday, October 21
6:30 p.m.
PDF Center for Peace and Justice, 44 North Prospect St, Amherst, MA
From embracing organizational change to avoiding magical thinking, PDF trainers offer nine ways to build sustainability into your non-profit organization.
 
Mindful Travel in an Unequal World
Friday, November 1
7:00 p.m.
Odyssey Bookshop, 9 College Street, South Hadley, MA
Dr. Anu Taranath will be speaking about her newly published book, Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World . 
 
2020 Community Organizing Grants
December 1, 2019
Applications will open for the 2020 PDF Community Organizing grant cycle. They are due December 30, 2019. Read more here . 
Thank you for your support.