By Kelly Patterson

I did not know how else to contact you--thought this RFP may interest you!

Kelly N Patterson


Tides Foundation Accepting Applications for State Strategies
        Segment of the Death Penalty Mobilization Fund
       
Deadline: August 15, 2008

The Tides Death Penalty Mobilization Fund is a Tides Foundation
( http://www.tidesfoundation.org/ ) funding collaborative that
supports strategic collaborations of local, regional, or national
nonprofits working to abolish the death penalty at the state
and/or federal levels. Projects supported by the fund may also
focus on intermediate steps such as specific reforms to the death
penalty system, moratoria on executions, or study commissions.

The upcoming State Strategies segment of the Death Penalty Mobil-
ization Fund will provide two-year grants ranging from $40,000 to
$80,000 each year (for a maximum of $160,000 over two years) to
state-based activist organizations working on death penalty re-
form, abolition, or moratoria efforts in the United States.
Grants can be used for expansion or enhancement of organizational
and/or staff capacity, campaign development or implementation,
infrastructure development necessary to implement or expand cam-
paigns, public education, and direct and grassroots lobbying.
Priority will be given to states where a State Strategies grant
will make a significant contribution towards securing a concrete
victory or strategic outcome. The fund also encourages collabor-
ative applications focusing on a specific region.

The foundation anticipates making grants to approximately eight
organizations in this cycle. (The next funding cycle will take
place in Fall 2009.)

RFP Link:
http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15014007/tidesfdn

For additional RFPs in Civil and Human Rights, visit:
http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_civil_rights.jhtml

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By Jimmie Birley

This is an absolutely amazing and groundbreaking organization. I have had the priviledge of meeting Morris Dees not just once, but twice. The first time in Long Beach, CA and the second time in St. Louis, MO. It was an honor to meet Mr. Dees and I truely lok up to him. He has to endure a lot and his life is made a living hell on a daily basis, yet he still fights to hlp make others' lives easier. I mean this man constantly receives threats on his life, yet he still endures. He is a man of great integrity and the SPLC follows suit. I am going into law school next year and I made a vow to always stay true to one of the people in my life that has inspired me to be a better person at all times. The SPLC fights injustices many do not want to fight because of the possibly consequences. Morris Dees and Joe Levin are two white men in Alabama fighting on behalf of minorities and often act as the "voice of the voiceless." They are often embattled with the Klan and the Klan retaliates, yet that does not sway them. They have helped free innocent people as well as people who were treated unjustly, they have shown those who believe they are untouchable that as long as they are around there will be someone to fight against them, they do so much without ever asking for much in return, except to share in their tolerance and hatred for injustice. Through everything Morris and Joe have endured, I wish that the world might see a drastic change in their lifetimes. For every battle they win, there is yet more ignorance right around the corner and it truely pains me to know that people like them seem to keep winning battles, but they never win the war. Even worse, I would hate to know where we would be without them. To Morris and Joe, I hope you know that you inspire people everyday!

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