The Ten Ways to Fight Hate Community Grants Program will offer workshops and grants of up to $2,000 to help communities respond to local hate crimes or hate-group activity.

"It is vital that communities send a message that hate groups and hate activity are not welcome," said Tafeni English, Center outreach coordinator.

"The workshops and grants available through this new program will help communities find appropriate ways to express their opposition to racism and bigotry."

The trial program is available to community organizers in all parts of the country, and proposals for grants will be accepted through Sept. 30, 2004.

Communities have long used the Center guidebook Ten Ways to Fight Hate as a tool to respond to hate crimes and bias-related incidents. English says the new program is a logical extension of the guidebook.

"The workshops can be tailored to communities' specific needs, addressing incidents or problems that communities are facing," English said. "They will offer communities a voice in combating the activities of hate groups."

The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, a coalition of the nation's leading civil rights groups, is helping promote the pilot Ten Ways grants program on its website and in its weekly newsletter.

SPLC Report
June 2004