De Colores Rapid Response Fund

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.

Align project with a strategic moment or opportunity, clearly articulate the urgency and desired impact, and demonstrate capacity for rapid deployment.