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Who We Are

Guided by justice, love, solidarity and commitment, we are building partnerships for liberation.

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Transforming unjust systems

Introduction

We believe that social, economic, and ecological justice can only be achieved through deep transformation of systems, structures, and culture. Social movements, made up of people organized collectively with leadership from impacted communities, are the driving force behind this transformation.

Grassroots International is a global grantmaking and movement support organization. We accompany, fund, and work in solidarity with movements, predominantly in the Global South and the U.S., on the frontlines of change.

Our Mission

For 40 years, we have been a steadfast and responsive supporter of global movements.

Our mission is to connect with global movements that defend land, territory, water, food, seeds, and the Earth, to address the root causes of injustice and oppression, and build alternative systems that nurture human rights, ecological justice, and collective liberation.

Our Vision

A world built on sustainability, equity, and dignity.

We envision a world in which a universal commitment to the health and wellbeing of the Earth and all its peoples, driven by strong global movements for social, economic, and ecological justice, has transformed production practices, consumption patterns, and economic and social relations.

Our History

40 years of solidarity

Since opening our doors in a tiny office in Cambridge in 1983, Grassroots International has nurtured long-lasting relationships with inspiring movements for systems change.

Our History

40 years of
solidarity

Since opening our doors in a tiny office in Cambridge in 1983, Grassroots International has nurtured long-lasting relationships with inspiring movements for systems change.

1983
Grassroots International founded amid famine in East Africa and Israeli invasion of Lebanon
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1985
Support for liberation struggles in South Africa, Eritrea, the Phillippines, and Palestine
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1991
Military coup in Haiti drives Grassroots International response
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1994
Fall of apartheid in South Africa; rise of NAFTA and the Zapatistas
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1996
La Via Campesina introduces food sovereignty; we issue our first grant to them
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1998
Grassroots International launches Brazil program, builds relationship with the Landless Workers Movement (MST)
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2005
As struggles against corporate control of water, land, and seeds rise, our programmatic focus evolves accordingly
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2006
After the signing of free trade agreement CAFTA, Grassroots International solidifies Mesoamerica program
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2007
We join the Nyéléni Global Forum for Food Sovereignty as global food price crisis deepens
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2009
Grassroots International stands against the US-backed coup in Honduras
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2010
Haiti earthquake highlights failures of traditional aid and importance of movement support
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2010
Building the movement at home, Grassroots International helps to launch US Food Sovereignty Alliance
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2013
Climate Justice Alliance is founded with Grassroots International as a founding member
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2014
Israel launches a brutal, 51-day war on Gaza. We take action.
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2015
Paris climate justice mobilizations; we launch the Climate Justice Initiative, and soon after co-launch the CLIMA Fund
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2017
Superstorm hurricanes Irma and Maria slam Haiti and Puerto Rico, sparking partnerships with Puerto Rican movements
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2018
Black women's delegation to Haiti organized in partnership with Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity (BOLD)
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2019
Incorporation of the Martín-Baró Initiative for Wellbeing and Human Rights
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2020
Mobilizations to defend Black lives sweep US and beyond; with our partners, we lift up and expand support for Black liberation
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2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, Grassroots International supports movement-led pandemic response.
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2021
Launch of the Berta Cáceres International Feminist Organizing School
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2022
Amid an intensifying global rush on farmland in Africa, we formalize our West Africa solidarity program.
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Our Team

Grassroots International is powered by people-focused relationships. This is embodied by the relationships among our team, board, and partners — united in love and a drive for social justice. They bring a diverse range of experiences, skills, and movement connections from across the world. Learn more about them below.

The Board of Directors has extensive experience working in human rights, global justice and international philanthropy.

Finances

Since 1983, we have supported social movements with over $60 million.

Grassroots International’s ability to sustain and nurture global movements through adversity depends on the shared vision and commitment of our supporters. Their unwavering solidarity allows us to stay focused on the work of movements.

It also enables a high proportion of spending to go to grants, education, and program activities. Together, we will continue building and strengthening our programs so they remain a source of support to movements in the years to come.

2022
Audited Financial Statements FY 2022
PDF 245.7 KB | English
2022
990 FY 2022
PDF 732.1 KB | English
2021
Audited Financial Statements FY 2021
PDF 286.92 KB | English
2021
990 FY 2021
PDF 1.58 MB | English
2020
Audited Financial Statements FY 2020
PDF 230.49 KB | English
2020
990 FY 2020
PDF 6.55 MB | English
2019
990 FY 2019
PDF 465.81 KB | English
2019
Audited Financial Statements FY 2019
PDF 264.31 KB | English

Jobs & Volunteering

Join us to make transformative change.

Working with Grassroots International
Volunteering with Grassroots International
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