De Colores Rapid Response Fund Grant

De Colores Rapid Response Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Peace Development Fund
Amount: US $500 - US $1,000
Last Updated: December 05, 2025

Summary

The De Colores Rapid Response Fund, established by the Peace Development Fund, aims to provide swift financial support to grassroots organizing efforts in marginalized communities, particularly focusing on communities of color and low-income individuals. Inspired by the traditional Mexican song that symbolizes diversity and solidarity, this fund seeks to create impactful opportunities for strategic interventions in urgent social situations. Grants are available for projects under $5,000 that align with these goals.

Overview

Background De Colores Rapid Response Fund (RRF) has been established at PDF in honor of retired Development Officer, Ray Santiago. In his many years working in the farmworker movement, “De Colores,” a traditional Mexican folk song that celebrates nature and diversity, was and still is one of Ray’s favorite tunes. It is a great example of solidarity. Ray recalls, “If I remember correctly, the song came to the Americas from Spain back in the 16th or 17th century. The song became very popular within the Latino community for special celebrations and occasions. It became the anthem of the United Farm Workers in California in the early 1960s. In time, it became the anthem of the larger farmworker movement, including the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) in the Midwest, Florida and Texas. We would cross arms and sing it at rallies and picket lines. It’s a very uplifting song and always brought comfort to me.” De Colores RRF is looking to impact positive, dynamic-shifting opportunities, rather than provide emergency response for humanitarian crises or technical assistance. It is designed to make funds available for quick, short-term delivery to hot spots of opportunity for organizing in marginalized urban and rural communities. Criteria for grants from the fund include: Organizing in U.S. grassroots communities, with a focus on communities of color, poor and working class; Opportunities for strategic intervention (i.e. Ferguson and Baltimore moments); Opportunities to impact new and strategic shifts (i.e. Occupy); and Opportunities to amplify the effects of in-the-moment issues (i.e. Hurricane Maria or #MeToo). The event or situation you are responding to was unanticipated and requires urgent action that is well thought out with clear goals and desired outcomes.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applications are accepted from coalitions, organizations and non-501(c)(3) groupsCriteria for grants from the fund include:Organizing in U.S. grassroots communities, with a focus on communities of color, poor and working class;Opportunities for strategic intervention (i.e. Ferguson and Baltimore moments);Opportunities to impact new and strategic shifts (i.e. Occupy); andOpportunities to amplify the effects of in-the-moment issues (i.e. Hurricane Maria or #MeToo). The event or situation you are responding to was unanticipated and requires urgent action that is well thought out with clear goals and desired outcomes.Project budget should be less than $5,000.

Ineligibility

We do not fund: Groups based outside the U.S. Budget shortfalls Ongoing, regularly scheduled programs Start-up or general operating costs Previously planned or long-term campaigns Charity benefits Direct service