ANNUAL REPORT 2004

Action for Global Justice

grassrootsonline.org Grassroots International promotes global justice through partnerships with social change organizations. We work to advance political, economic and social rights and support development alternatives through grantmaking, education and advocacy. Letter from the Chair At Grassroots International we stubbornly believe that a new, more just world is coming soon.We are committed to helping our partners fulfill their dreams of living lives free from hunger and political persecution. The challenges our partners face are dire, from deadly floods and political violence in Haiti to occupation and a shattered economy in Palestine. But even with those challenges, this is an exciting time to be an activist. Through meetings like the World Social Forum, international assemblies like the Via Campesina and new, independent media, these movements are no longer struggling in isolation in their own countries.They are working together to share strategies, to show solidarity and to find solutions.We are proud of our role in finding new ways for these groups to work together. In the spring of 2004, we supported a journalist from Brazil’s progressive newspaper Brasil de Fato on a trip to Palestine, where he reported on the strug- gles of Palestinian farmers to resist land confiscations. In July, we helped bring activists from Palestine and Latin America to the Boston Social Forum.While they were here, they didn’t just talk to the progressive activists gathered at the Forum.They reached out to Boston’s immigrant communities to talk about the parallels between the immigrants’ struggles here and the situation in the Global South. Grassroots has also begun to form a new kind of partnership, supporting groups like the Via Campesina that work not in a specific country area, but around the world to help local groups organize and fight for access to land and clean water and for food sovereignty. We’re also doing more to unite the people here at home who share our values. In the last year, we have expanded our public education work, reaching out to hundreds of activists, donors, students, people of faith, and other com- munities around the country. Our electronic community has grown too, shar- ing our partners’ points of view with thousands every month. In 2005 we will be launching an exciting new Resource Rights initiative that will draw on our long-standing relationships with rural grassroots social movements while we also build new partnerships and alliances around the world. Even in these trying times for international social justice fundraising, we have been fortunate to find supporters who share our vision. In 2004 Grassroots International completed an ambitious, $1 million Global Justice Fund.This money, along with more than $2 million in activist-advised funds that we received, will help Grassroots International and our partners carry us all, step by step, to a more just place. We look forward to having you join us on that journey.

Shalini Nataraj Chair of the Board Resource Rights for All The International Movement to Protect Land and Water Rights: A Global Solution for a Global Challenge For the past two decades, Grassroots International has built its program on relationships with social movements and progressive We believe that organizations in specific countries. Our long-standing relation- ships with these groups has made it clear that access to certain access to land for fundamental resources—like clean water and arable land—are absolutely fundamental to their struggles for independent food production development and self-determination. and clean water It is also clear that it’s no longer possible to look at our part- ners’ work in isolation. Globalization means that the political are fundamental and economic forces that leave people thirsty in Haiti also affect access to land for food production in Brazil. It also means that the human rights. lessons our partners have learned fighting for their rights in Brazil are invaluable to our partners in Haiti. While we continue to support local, community based organizations in Brazil, Haiti, Mexico and Palestine, our new Resource Rights for All Initiative allows us to work outside the boundaries of specific country programs, participating in and empowering the broad multi-national movement that has evolved to fight for resource rights. Our efforts will include strengthening international land and water rights alliances and international advocacy campaigns on resource rights issues. In 2004 we approved our first grant for this kind of cross-border project work to the Via Campesina, an international network of peasant, fisherfolk, landless worker and indigenous move- Maria Aguiar ments. Our grant will support an education pro- gram that will provide technical rural development and community organizing skills to campesinos throughout Central America. The Resource Rights for All Initiative will provide education, communications and advocacy support to help create new spaces for action and new connec- tions between the local and international elements of this vibrant movement for resource rights.

Large scale hydro-electric dam projects would take away this Oaxacan community’s access to water. Voices from the Grassroots Sharing the Spirit of Social Justice Our partners—people from some of the poorest, most embattled corners of the world—are among the most pow- erfully inspirational women and men in the world. One of the most exciting aspects of our work is having the opportu- nity to meet these people, to hear their stories, and to share their insights with our supporters and allies. Our outreach and communication work is based on the

idea of building community.We have developed long-term Jake Miller relationships with existing communities like neighborhood, Using commercial activist, and faith-based groups.We developed a popular education images to make a social justice collage at curriculum on a just peace in the Middle East for the Unitarian a Grassroots workshop. Universalists for Justice in the Middle East and worked with a Boston- area Jewish congregation to establish a link to a Kindergarten in the West Bank that is a project of our partner, the Rural Women’s Development Society (RWDS). In addition to building deep relationships with exist- ing groups, we also reach out to a broader coalition of people who share our values and support our mission, and we seek to open a dialogue with people who don’t agree. In some cases we are able to bring our partners to the U.S. to tell their stories for themselves. Last summer, we brought representatives of the Palestinian Democracy and Workers Rights Center (DWRC) and Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement (MST) to talk at the Boston Social Forum, a regional gathering of progressive activists. Our partners, staff and board members have appeared at conferences, given speeches, and been on television and radio shows.We have also written articles, opinion pieces and analysis for newspapers, magazines, online news portals and policy journals. You can find an It is particularly thrilling to see the stories of our partners inspiring archive of our curricula a spirit of social justice in the next generation of activists. Last spring a and other educational materials, articles and group of elementary and middle school students in Oak Park, Forest essays, along with Park and Chicago, Illinois developed a school project on the art, history information about and culture of Haiti. For part of their project, they used Grassroots scheduling workshops International educational material on the Creole Pig Repopulation and speakers online project of the National Congress of Papaye Peasant Movement at grassrootsonline.org/ (MPKNP). In addition to producing works of art that were exhibited resources_main.html. in the main branch of the Chicago Public Library, they raised hundreds of dollars to support the re-introduction of the Creole pig.

Grassroots International Annual Report 2004 Brazil Program

By the beginning of 2004 the camps were affiliated with the early promise of Brazil’s first MST.The MST leadership Worker’s Party president, Luiz decided to end a period of rel- Inácio “Lula” da Silva, had ative quiet and resumed their The people, dimmed. Newspapers reported protests and land occupations. together, staggering increases in unem- In November, following a ployment and sluggish eco- conference organized by a are like a pool nomic growth. Meanwhile, coalition of 44 rural organiza- of wisdom. promised social programs and tions, more than 10,000 people agrarian reform were stalled by marched to the headquarters of When you a divided coalition government. the Central Bank of Brazil to Social movements and rural emphasize that the people still share that development organizations, like expected the popularly elected wisdom, the Grassroots International partners government to make good on Pólo Sindical and the Landless promised social justice and pool gets deeper. Worker’s Movement (MST), agrarian reforms. Jaime Cardoso, had to make difficult decisions a landless worker, said,“It is the Paulo de Marck, MST Organizer about how to balance negotia- duty of every Brazilian to come tion with the government and protest these economic policies direct action to press for much and demand agrarian reform. needed changes. We will return as many times During 2002, immediately as it takes, even as our sandals after the Lula victory, hundreds are wearing thin.” of thousands of landless rural Our partners are also tak- Clark Taylor families flocked to roadside ing practical steps to improve camps to await settlement based lives in their communities.The on Lula’s campaign promises. MST continues to build schools, But the Worker’s Party, without agricultural cooperatives and a legislative majority, did not new, thriving communities and have the power to enact aggres- the Association in Settlement sive reforms. Areas in Maranhão (ASSEMA) By April 2004, the families maintains a dried fruit process- were tiring of living under ing facility to enable rural for- black plastic tents on the side est workers to earn a dignified of the road. Fully 70% of the living from sustainable 200,000 families living in forestry work.

Building a home on an MST settlement in Pernambuco. Partner Profile: MST National Land Title Project LAND RIGHTS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE In 2004, with support from Grassroots International, Maria Aguiar Women activists at the World Social Forum. the MST embarked on a multi-year project to research and document various forms of legal land tenure, educate Partnership: Brazil their members about commu- Landless Workers Movement (MST) nity ownership and advocate MST-Maranhão, for education work with families in 38 for change in Brazil’s agrarian settlements and 13 camps; and to build a cashew process- reform laws and policies to ing facility to be used by five settlements and to train mem- accommodate communal bers of those settlements in marketing and management land titling. skills. Currently Brazil’s agrarian MST-Pernambuco, to provide human rights monitor train- reform agency, the INCRA, ing to rural workers and legal assistance to MST leaders only provides for individual and families who are the victims of persistent anti-worker ownership rights to male head violence and human rights abuses. of households.The MST is Association in Settlement Areas in Maranhão working to change this model (ASSEMA), to conduct leadership development for the and to expand land use and northeast regional network of women babaçu harvesters; tenure to include women and to expand organic family farming and improve sustainable entire communities and to agriculture and food security; and to maintain a dried fruit respect the traditional rights processing facility. of indigenous communities. Pólo Sindical do Submedio do São Fransisco, to help The MST has convened families living with the drought in the São Francisco river a group of intellectuals and area through technical assistance, training and the construc- researchers and formed collab- tion of cisterns, dams and wells; and to advocate for 70,000 orations with several universities families displaced by the World Bank-funded mega-project, and dozens of student, profes- the Itaparica dam. sional and rural social move- Rede Social de Justiça e Direitos Humanos, to provide ment organizations.Their goal advocacy and communications training and legal support to is to raise a national debate a broad array of rural social movements—including the about the role of land title Quilombola movement of Afro Brazilians, indigenous move- alternatives in building a more ments, and landless workers movements in regions across just, more equitable Brazil. Brasil where land conflicts have been most severe.

Grassroots International Annual Report 2004 Haiti Program

In Haiti Twice in 2004,the hillsides of In the face of these chal- Haiti were ravaged by floods. lenges, our partners in Haiti are everything is a In May, strong thunderstorms doing what they have always priority, but our swept across the island. Instead done: struggling to build a civil of leaving behind moist soil society that respects the needs number one priority to nourish corn and rice, the of all of Haiti’s people, from rainwater gathered in devastat- the grassroots up. is putting an end ing torrents, scouring the hill- The Platform of Haitian sides and turning valleys and Human Rights Organizations to impunity. Haiti villages into lakes.A glancing (POHDH) denounces violence needs reconciliation, blow from tropical storm and abuses committed by all Jeanne in September unleashed sides of the political spectrum, and there can be another deluge with similar repeatedly calls for disarmament results: thousands killed, tens of and an end to the politicization no reconciliation thousands homeless, livelihoods of Haiti’s police and judicial without justice. ruined, communities devastated. systems, and operates a radio This year Haiti has also station to educate the public Pierre Esperance, endured great political uphea- and advocate for justice.This Director, National val: protests, an armed insurrec- candor has provoked the ire of Coalition for Haitian tion, the ouster of a president, both the interim government Rights (NCHR) a series of ineffectual interna- and the opposition. tional interventions, and finally Our partners are also an interim government that working to rebuild Haiti’s not only proved incapable of devastated rural economy and meeting the basic needs of its to prevent future catastrophic citizens and woefully inade- floods.The severity of the Maria Aguiar quate in responding to the floods was multiplied because floods, but also waged a cam- of Haiti’s extreme deforestation paign of intimidation, violence and topsoil loss. The National and human rights abuses against Congress of Papaye Peasant supporters of the ousted Movement (MPNKP) and the President Aristide and other Peasant Movement of Papaye dissenters. Some of Aristide’s (MPP) have developed projects supporters have responded that will decrease reliance on with more violence. charcoal and help begin to restore Haiti’s trees.

Making cornmeal at an MPP cooperative. Partner Profile: The Peasant Movement of Papaye (MPP) BREAKING THE CYCLE OF FLOODS AND DROUGHT Despite the catastrophic floods of 2004, Haiti is one of the world’s most water poor nations.After decades of defor-

estation, the hillsides can’t Ana Fuentes absorb any water.When the Dr. Agathe Jean-Baptiste, M.D., Director of the Mironda Heston Community Health Clinic in Papaye training midwives. floods recede, little water remains for drinking or farming. Artesian wells can be a Partnership: Haiti reliable source of water for In 2004, Grassroots International provided support to four drinking and irrigation, but Haitian partner organizations: well-drilling equipment is so The Peasant Movement of Papaye (MPP), for training, scarce in the region that wait- technical assistance and support to local peasants engaging ing lists can be longer than in reforestation, soil conservation and sustainable organic two years. Some co-ops have agriculture in the Central Plateau; for training and leadership received irrigation equipment development support for the peasant men and women from but have been unable to use it the nine departments across Haiti; for a midwives and because they’re waiting for a maternal and child heath workers training; and for well well to be dug. drilling equipment and training for a well drilling team. After the MPP conducted a hydrology survey of their The Haitian Human Rights Platform (POHDH), to region, Grassroots International strengthen the capacities of grassroots human rights activists made a grant to the MPP in throughout Haiti to confront the human rights emergencies 2004 to purchase a new trailer- resulting form the political crisis which occurred in February mounted drilling rig and to 2004 and continues after the sever floods in May 2004. provide training for a well- The National Peasant Movement of the Papaye drilling team.They will provide Congress (MPNKP), to build leadership among grassroots well drilling services to coop- groups, including women and youth; and to restore the lost erative farms in Haiti’s Creole pig. Northeast and Central Plateau. The Platform for Alternative Development Policies Some of the co-ops will (PAPDA), to support sustainable organic agriculture tech- use the irrigation to water tree niques in two target zones with local peasant organizations seedlings, in an effort to stem and cooperatives from Cap Rouge; and to promote sustain- the tide of deforestation, prevent able, equitable and culturally appropriate development future floods, and restore the models for Haiti. hillsides and valleys to health.

Grassroots International Annual Report 2004 Mexico Program

We cannot When their local economies on their livelihoods, families were devastated by depressed and communities. situate ourselves coffee prices, the small-scale These small farming only in our farmers of the Coordinating communities aren’t struggling Committee of Coffee alone, either.The organizing is national struggles. Producers in the State of advanced at the national and Oaxaca (CEPCO) tried a sur- international levels by another We need to prising strategy: they started to Grassroots International part- raise chickens.A single laying ner, the Authentic Labor strengthen the hen obviously can’t make up Front (FAT), an independent solidarity between for the economic beating that a labor union working closely rural Mexican family has taken with communities, and an workers around due to NAFTA, but high qual- important hub of a growing ity eggs provide protein for a worker-farmer-student alliance. the world.That family and a source of income This past year, the FAT’s work is the only way from the local market.And has grown, fed by widespread poultry is just the beginning. rejection of Mexican President we can win. From the chicken and the Vicente Fox’s policies, which egg, our partners proceed with are widening the gap between Benedicto Martínez, a community-based education the rich and poor. member, National Coordinating and organizing strategy.They The FAT’s hard work has Committee of the take a direct route from those begun to pay off. Mexico’s Authentic Labor Front eggs—and other innovative government NAFTA review (FAT) economic and community committee recently ruled that development projects— imports of white corn from to learning about the the U.S. will be limited to

Muriel Calo international and national only that which Mexicans policies that affect crop themselves cannot produce. prices, and then finding For indigenous farmers scrap- ways to influence those ing out a living in the hills of policies. International Oaxaca, hoping to keep their trade and agricultural families intact and children policy aren’t abstract from heading north in search issues for our partners. of work, that is very good They have a direct effect news indeed.

A CEPCO member delivers supplies to town. 10 Partner Profile: The Center Maria Aguiar for Support of the Popular Movement in Oaxaca (CAMPO) DEVELOPING COMMUNITIES, REVITALIZING ECONOMIES Over the centuries since the Spanish conquest, Mexico’s indigenous farmers have been told what to do more often than they have been asked K'inal Antzetik members spinning yarn at a community development what they think.The Center meeting. for Support of the Popular Movement in Oaxaca (CAMPO) is turning that Partnership: Mexico legacy of oppression and In 2004 Grassroots International provided support to five marginalization on its head. Mexican partner organizations: Rampant poverty has left The Authentic Labor Front (FAT), for regional training its mark on the people and and organizing work with unions, cooperatives and landscape of the Chinantla Alta, community-based organizations in the Lagunera Region a rural region in the Mexican of northern Mexico. state of Oaxaca where CAMPO works.The cultural The Center to Support the Popular Movement in vibrancy of these mountain Oaxaca (CAMPO), for technical assistance and training communities is at risk due to for environmentally sound agriculture and comprehensive the area’s devastated economy; community development plans. more than 50% of the popula- The Coordinating Committee of Coffee Producers in tion lives in extreme poverty. the State of Oaxaca (CEPCO), for diversification of the CAMPO works with indigenous local economic base, including the development of an communities to revive long- organic poultry and egg production and marketing program. standing governance traditions K'inal Antzetik, to strengthen the productive work of and to revitalize the local indigenous artisans, and to promote a future based on economy through projects such indigenous autonomy and self-determination, with women as fish farming, worm com- at the forefront in the state of Chiapas. posting, and organic gardening. By helping these cloud- The Mexican Commission for the Defense and forest communities drive their Promotion of Human Rights, to document human rights own development, CAMPO conditions, train grassroots human rights activists and both improves their material pressure the Mexican government to fulfill its obligations well-being and increases their with regard to the human rights of indigenous people. political power.

Grassroots International Annual Report 2004 Palestine Program

Standing atop Mount of Olives mobilized to fight the Wall, in East Jerusalem, Jamal pointed including the Palestinian to a village in the distance. Environmental NGO “That is where I grew up,” he Network (PENGON),a When I’m said. From where he stood, he coalition of environmental dancing, I feel could clearly see the Separation groups. PENGON coordinated Wall running through his fami- a national grassroots campaign that I’m ly’s village.“It used to take me against the Wall and although 45 minutes to get to my parents’ it has been unable to stop struggling, home. Now, with the wall and construction, the campaign has but like a bird all the roadblocks and check- logged numerous successes, points it takes much longer including the International in a jail. and I can’t visit as often. I’m Court of Justice at The Hague Manar Faraj, worried now that they are ruling that the Wall is illegal. Dancer in Ibdaa’s getting older.” The Ibdaa Cultural youth Dabke troupe, “The Wall” is actually a Center, a refugee youth center from Ibdaa’s radio series of 25-foot high concrete located in Dheisheh Refugee documentary on the Wall walls, trenches, barbed wire and Camp, has established a media electrified fences punctuated training project and a multi- with numerous watch towers, media production center that electronic sensors, thermal enables young people to imaging and video cameras, produce reports for radio, and sniper towers. In some television and print media. Lucy Mair areas it cuts deep into the West The youth aired their first Bank, annexing major Israeli radio program in 2004, featur- settlements and carving the ing interviews with young West Bank into isolated people from Dheisheh on the enclaves. It isn’t just a question effects of the Separation Wall of separating families. Entire and the theme of walls and Palestinian communities are barriers in Palestinian life. being cut off from basic ser- Grassroots International’s vices, agricultural land, markets partners will continue their and other vital resources. struggle to break down both Many of Grassroots the visible and the invisible International’s partners have walls that constrain them.

Amira's handcrafts shop is a WAC-sponsored economic development project. Ibdaa Partner Profile: The Rural Women’s Development Society (RWDS) NURTURING WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP Young journalists in Ibdaa's media training RWDS works to improve program producing a the economic, social, and politi- radio report. cal conditions of Palestinian women living in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Partnership: Palestine The heart of RWDS is its In 2004 Grassroots International provided support to ten work with local, village-level Palestinian partner organizations: women’s clubs. In addition to The Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center (DWRC), providing income generation to promote and protect the rights of Palestinian workers. projects, literacy training and The Gaza Community Mental Health Program continuing education programs, (GCMHP), to provide comprehensive community mental the clubs build women’s lead- health services including therapy, training and research. ership capacity and encourage Ibdaa Cultural Center, to foster the well being of youth in civic participation and commu- the Dheisheh Refugee Camp through social, educational nity organizing. and cultural activities. In the fall 2004 municipal Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC), and legislative elections in to increase food security and income generation through Jericho and the West Bank, urban agriculture projects in the Gaza Strip refugee camps. 139 women ran for local and The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), to national office. Fifty-one women protect human rights and promote the rule of law vis-à-vis won seats in the legislature, and Israel and the Palestinian Authority. others were elected mayor. The Palestinian Environmental NGO Network Many of the women and their (PENGON), to support the campaign to stop the construc- campaign teams were members tion of the Separation Wall being built in the West Bank. of RWDS’s women’s clubs. The Rural Women’s Development Society (RWDS), By offering training and to support skills-building and leadership development for capacity building in communi- women throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. cations, management, network- The Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees ing, mediation, strategic planning, (UPMRC), to support first aid training that enables commu- lobbying and advocacy, RWDS nities to meet their own immediate emergency needs. empowers and enables rural The Women’s Affairs Center (WAC), to train and women to move beyond their support women from the Gaza Strip in small business traditionally assigned gender development. roles and to take a more active The Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling role in the development of a (WCLAC), to promote the legal and social status of democratic Palestine. Palestinian women.

Grassroots International Annual Report 2004 Eritrea Program

After much internal debate throughout about the movement and what it could 2004, Grassroots International arrived at achieve has faded. Given the continuing the painful decision that our Eritrea human rights abuses, the anti-democrat- program, one of our oldest, is simply ic policies of the Eritrean Government untenable because of the current and the strong connections among the political context in Eritrea, where Government, the ruling PFDJ party and long-promised democratic elections are the three national unions we have been repeatedly postponed, journalists and supporting, GRI can no longer in good political and religious dissidents are faith continue our current partnerships. jailed or exiled and the ruling party While we have no doubt that our part- maintains uncontested control of virtu- ners in Eritrea are doing good, much- ally all aspects of political, social and needed work at the project level, due to economic life in the country. the deteriorating internal political situa- Beginning in 2005, we will cease tion, we cannot support work in Eritrea funding for our Eritrea Program as it with our current partners. is presently constituted.While any deci- By continuing to support organiza- sion to end partnerships or programs tions connected to such a repressive is a difficult one, this was particularly regime, we would be implicated in cov- painful for us as an organization, given ering up its anti-democratic character our long-standing ties to Eritrea and to and, in the eyes of both our own sup- the movement that liberated it.This porters and other human rights and decision weighs heavily on our hearts. development agencies, endorsing it. GRI’s Eritrea Program was started We remain hopeful that the in 1983 when the country was engaged Eritrean people will be able to return in a 30-year war against Ethiopian colo- to the path of profound social transfor- nialism. Eritrea’s 1991 victory over the mation and popular participation that better-equipped Ethiopia can be attrib- helped inspire the creation of Grassroots uted as much to its bold efforts at social International. Grassroots was built transformation as to its military maneu- around its relationship to the move- vering.Africa’s newest nation was born ment that liberated Eritrea, and we carrying the promise that it would cannot simply walk away from them remain true to the values and ideals it in this dark hour.We will continue to had embraced throughout its remark- provide humanitarian material aid able liberation struggle. and we will continue to explore new Sadly, the situation in Eritrea has opportunities to promote democratic deteriorated, and the bright optimism change in Eritrea. Thank you!

We are very grateful to the many individuals, foundations, faith- based organizations and activist groups whose generosity enabled Grassroots to support so many dynamic community-based human rights and sustainable development organizations around the world in 2004. Thousands of people—major donors, monthly pledgers, occasional supporters, on-line givers, and institutional representatives—helped us build a solid founda- tion for our work.At Grassroots, we insist that social change is a slow, commit- ted process; we live that ethos by standing by our partners year after year.Thank you for mirroring that partnership in your loyal support for our efforts. In 2004, we successfully completed our 20th Anniversary Global Justice Fund.Thanks to your participation – from checks of $25 to a $100,000 chal- lenge matching grant—you helped us raise more than $1 million to implement our strategic plan!

Institutional Supporters FY 2004* Academy for Educational Firedoll Foundation Presbyterian Hunger Program Development First Congregational Church Presente Fund American Jewish World of Southampton R.E.M./Athens, LLC Service Funding Exchange Samuel Rubin Foundation Atkinson Foundation General Service Foundation Share Our Strength Blossom Fund Haymarket People's Fund Shefa Fund Boehm Foundation International Foundation Sisters of Saint Joseph Christ Episcopal Church Lawson Valentine Foundation United Methodist Committee Common Stream Moriah Fund on Relief (UMCOR) Conservation, Food & Health Peace Development Fund United Methodist Women Foundation Perls Foundation Winky Foundation Dominican Sisters Pond Foundation *Grants received between November FICAH/Food for All 1, 2003 and October 31, 2004

We also recognize our many volunteers, without whom Grassroots International simply could not function.Whether it is researching land rights in Mexico, creating pie charts on the U.S. budget for an educational workshop or stuffing envelopes, their behind-the-scenes work is essential. Interns and Office Volunteers Desiree Allen Mironda Heston Aaron Ostrow Stephen Southard Saulo Araujo Paula Hong Asta Petkeviciute Viji Viswanathan Kim Conant Takeshi Komino Elizabeth St.Victor Marty Wrin Rebecca Lynn Gray Amparo Ochoa Christine Stone Finally, we would like to extend special thanks to our network of volunteer translators, many of whom we’ve never met, who faithfully translate reports from all corners of the globe.

Grassroots International Annual Report 2004 Financial Report for 2004

Grassroots International posted another year of strong growth in our programs and revenue. Two factors contributed heavily to this growth: the completion of the Global Justice Fund campaign, and the adoption of a donor-advised fund to boost our existing program and seed new initiatives. Driven by the momentum of the Global Justice Fund, financial support from individuals and institu- tions increased by close to a quarter of a million dollars for the sec- ond straight year—not including the $2.2 million in revenue from the donor-advised fund. The increased revenue from all sources, including the donor-advised fund, allowed us to make more than $950,000 in cash grants to our partners and other organizations working for justice, an increase of over one-half from 2003. In 2004, we continued to keep our operating overhead low, and devoted 83% of our expenses to programs and education.

Income Expenses

In-kind 4% Other 1% Programs & Education 83% Individuals 21%

Management & General 8% Institutions 74% Fundraising 9% Statement of Support, Revenues and Expenses For the year ended October 31, 2004 Temporarily Restricted Total Unrestricted General Donor-advised FY 2004 Support and Revenues Institutional contributions 130,371 666,654 2,221,727 $3,018,752 Individual contributions 747,992 93,773 841,765 In-kind (donated goods and services) – 154,979 154,979 Investment and other income 13,829 44,277 58,106 Sub-Total 892,192 915,406 2,266,004 4,073,602 Net assets released from program restrictions 1,153,863 (875,476) (278,387) Total Support and Revenues 2,046,055 39,930 1,987,617 4,073,602

Expenses Programs Cash Grants – general 722,872 722,872 Cash Grants – donor-advised 231,500 231,500 Shipping Grants 16,544 16,544 Goods Shipments 154,979 154,979 Program Services 259,578 259,578 Education 141,038 141,038 Sub-Total 1,526,511 1,526,511 Support Services Management and General 137,853 137,853 Fundraising 169,025 169,025 Sub-Total 306,878 306,878 Total Expenses 1,833,389 1,833,389 Net Income/(Loss) 212,666 39,930 1,987,617 2,240,213 Net Assets, Beginning of Year 415,712 77,254 492,966 Net Assets, End of Year 628,378 117,184 1,987,617 $2,733,179

Balance Sheet Liabilities and Net Assets As of October 31, 2004 Liabilities Grants Payable 91,563 Assets Accounts Payable & Accrued Expenses 57,134 Cash and Equivalents $ 613,617 Total Liabilities 148,697 Grants Receivable 16,632 Investments 2,198,037 Net Assets Fixed Assets, Net 41,539 Unrestricted 628,378 Other 12,051 Temporarily Restricted Total Assets 2,881,876 General 117,184 Donor-advised 1,987,617 Total Net Assets 2,733,179

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 2,881,876

Grassroots International Annual Report 2004 Count the Ways to Support Global Justice! A gift to Grassroots International supports our partners’ visionary social justice work around the globe and demonstrates solidarity with people working to build a better world. Here are some of the ways you can help build social movements, advance human rights and promote participatory and sustainable community development around the world:

Make a gift of stock or money to Grassroots International by phone, by mail or online at www.grassrootsonline.org. Make a grant to Grassroots International to support innovative projects in Latin America, the Caribbean or the Middle East or for such themes as land and water rights or women’s economic development. Name Grassroots International as a beneficiary of your estate, retirement plan, or life insurance policy. Be an education activist by hosting a conversation on global justice issues in your home, place of worship, business or community center, and help broaden the network of Grassroots International supporters. Host a fun and interesting Pig Party. Contact us about our educational tools. Volunteer with Grassroots International. Learn more about our work by helping our office team with special events, translation and other useful tasks. Become a member of our Global Justice Circle with a major gift. Be part of an intimate group of donor peers that meet periodically with Grassroots’ senior staff.

To discuss a giving strategy in more depth, call Daniel Moss at 617.524.1400 ext. 20 or email [email protected]. Grassroots International’s Board of Directors Shalini Nataraj, Chair 179 Boylston Street, 4th Floor Alliance for a Secular and Boston, MA 02130 USA Democratic South Asia Phone: 617.524.1400 Alejandro Amezcua Fax: 617.524.5525 National Council of Email: [email protected] Nonprofit Associations Web site: www.grassrootsonline.org

Dan Connell, Emeritus Simmons College

Kimberly Freeman American Rights at Work

Judith Lockhart-Radtke Social worker– Midwife

The Rev. Devin S. McLachlan Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Grassroots International Staff Luis Prado Department of Health and Human Services

Charlotte Ryan Media Research and Action Project

Clark Taylor College of Public and Community Service (ret.)

Emira Woods Institute for Policy Studies

Katherine Yih Whitney Kakos Public Health Worker Front row, from left: Jyoti Gupta, Corrina Steward, Nisrin Elamin, Maria Aguiar, Melony Swasey. Back row: Stephanie Sluka Brauer, Daniel Moss, Jennifer Lemire, Orson Moon, Jake Miller.

Cover photo:Woman raising pigeons in urban agriculture project, Jabalia, Gaza. Grassroots International. Inside Cover Photo by Dan Connell Designed by Hird Graphic Design Printed by Red Sun Press 179 Boylston Street, 4th Floor Boston, MA 02130 USA