OVERVIEW: The Ploughshares Fund supports organizations and individuals working toward global nuclear disarmament.
IP TAKE: While it is narrowly focused on nuclear non-proliferation, the Ploughshares Fund is an approachable and transparent funder that supports organizations of all sizes, as well as individuals and lobbying activities. It accepts applications via an online portal, but only during specific windows of time during the year. Learn more about the organization’s work via its podcast, Press the Button, or the articles and analysis posted on its website.
According to a 2024 Annual Report, Ploughshares “pivoted to be able to respond to new challenges and new threats.” In addition to a new-look website, the Fund replaced recent grantmaking programs with a new collection of priorities with appear to retain and expand threats of nuclear weapons and proliferation.
PROFILE: The San Francisco-based Ploughshares Fund was founded in 1981 by the sculptor and human rights activist Sally Lilienthal, who passed away in 2006. The Fund is a passthrough organization, receiving support from donors who “fundamentally believe people everywhere have the right to a safe and secure future free from the threat of nuclear weapons.” Since its inception, it has supported “the most effective advocates and organizations in the world to reduce and eventually eliminate the danger posed by nuclear weapons.”
Grants for Global Security, International Development and Human Rights
Ploughshares names four main funding priorities, all related to the organization’s work toward reducing “the extraordinary dangers that nuclear weapons pose to humanity.” A handful of these priorities represent new funding niches for the Fund after its 2024 restructuring.
- Grants for Near-Term Steps “drive policies and activities that help eliminate nuclear threats or address regional conflicts.”
- Grantees and supported programs under this initiative appear to address existing nuclear abolition campaigns as well as a number of regional conflicts in the Middle East and between national superpowers.
- Recent grantees include Conciliation Resources, J Street and the Vet Voice Foundation.
- Grants for Strengthened Community “support core organizations in the nuclear field and targeted projects that aim for a more dynamic, inclusive, and effective community.”
- Recent grantees include the FCNL Education Fund, the Scoville Peace Fellowship and the Win Without War Education Fund.
- Grants for Shared Purpose “develop a broad power base by aligning with social justice movements and exploring intersections between nuclear topics and other issues.”
- Grantees and supported programs under this initiative appear to prioritize perspectives of predominantly progressive advocacy groups, like environmental conservation outfits, and populations often excluded from discussions of nuclear proliferation, like indigenous peoples globally.
- Recent grantees include Bombshelltoe, Moveon.org Civic Action and Nuclear Watch New Mexico.
- Grants for Bold Futures “create favorable terrain for long-term policy change by investing in transformational approaches that fundamentally challenge the nuclear status quo.”
- These grants appear to particularly prioritize policy-change through educational initiatives led by scientists.
- Recent grantees include Arms Control Association, PAX‘s Don’t Bank on the Bomb program and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
- Search recent grantees by funding priority program here.
- Recently archived initiatives of Ploughshares include Promote the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, Prevent the Emergence of New Nuclear States and Build Regional Peace and Security. The Fund’s new priority areas have either adopted or consolidated the goals of these former programs, and tax records indicate a number of grantees have continued to receive funding since its restructuring.
Important Grant Details:
Grants typically range from about $50,000 to $175,000. In a recent year, the Fund gave about $8.8 in grants.
This funder supports organizations of all sizes working in its specific area of interest. It places no geographic limits on its grantmaking, and will make grants to individuals and “direct lobbying programs.”
Ploughshares does not support “the production of films, videos, books, art projects, provide scholarships or the research and writing of academic dissertations.”
The fund encourages “women and people from diverse communities to apply.”
The Ploughshares Fund also posts articles and research relevant to its work on its website and produces a podcast, Press the Button, on nuclear disarmament and related issues of justice, human rights, history and politics.
Applications are accepted via the fund’s grant application portal, during specific windows of time during the year, often in February and March. Check the application page periodically for updates or sign up for the organization’s newsletter at the bottom of the site.
- From time to time, Ploughshares staff can make discretionary grants up to $50,000 for projects they consider urgent. Grantseekers who believe their project aligns with these guidelines may submit an inquiry to the program team with a brief description of project goals.
For information about past grantmaking, see Ploughshares’ Grantees page or its past Annual Reports.
- General inquiries may be directed to the fund via its contact page or by telephone at (415) 668-2244.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
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