As activists across the country fight back against restrictive laws targeting reproductive health care, accurate portrayals of history in schools and colleges, appropriate care for trans youth and equal rights for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, the ever-expanding carceral state and continued threats to the environment, far too many people are facing lost employment, arrest, prosecution, harassment and threats of violence.

Demand for the RFC’s grants continues to rise, and for the third year in a row we raised our granting levels to record amounts. In 2023, we awarded more than $450,000 in grants, bringing our total to nearly $9 million awarded in the RFC’s 33-year history.

Last year the RFC received a record number of applications from targeted activist youth (TAY). In all, we awarded 18 grants totalling $20,300 to young organizers (including new and returning grantees), more than doubling the amount granted for TAYs the prior year.

These grants supported young adult organizers, many of whom were arrested for protesting against major injustices in their communities. The RFC provided grants for those who were beaten and arrested at a student-led protest on their college campus calling for increased diversity and equity reform. Funds also went to members of the Stop Cop City Movement in Atlanta who are facing unjust RICO and domestic terrorism charges. RFC development grants are providing these activists with access to vital resources like counseling and funds to attend conferences to continue their activism.

Each year, RFC staff members monitor trends in organizing as we seek new potential grantees. This year in particular, we are closely following the wave of U.S.-based activists facing repression as they join global humanitarian calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, LGBTQIA+ youth pushing for gender liberation and young Black and Indigenous activists leading their communities towards more just, sustainable futures. It is our hope that the RFC’s grants can remain a resource to those experiencing significant blowback for their activism in this frightening time.

While many activists across the country face increasing attacks, there have also been important recent victories (read the "Exciting news from beneficiary families" article in our newsletter to learn more) for some recent developments for RFC grantees and their families. And hear directly from activist parents whose children are receiving support on the impact of these grants on their children in our newsletter article, "Since you asked."