Haymarket People's Fund

Haymarket People's Fund, a New England alternative granting foundation for social change, was founded in July 1974 by George Pillsbury and other young people with inherited wealth. Among HPF's goals has been supporting people trying to take control of their lives through challenging established power, and being responsive to what people, particularly those in "oppressed" groups, identify as pressing issues. HPF's structure has included eight regional boards which make autonomous funding decisions based on the Fund's philosophy. HPF has funded a variety of grassroots organizations such as those interested in the rights of people of color, tenants, workers, prisoners, women, students, people with disabilities, gay men and lesbians, veterans, and welfare recipients, as well as groups working on issues of peace, public education on international issues, and the environment.

The Haymarket People's Fund is an activist-controlled foundation committed to radical social change. It gives grants to grassroots groups throughout New England, which fight violence, poverty, and injustice, in an effort to empower oppressed communities. It was co-founded by George Pillsbury in 1974 in Boston, Massachusetts . The Fund seeks to help workers, people of color, women, tenants, people with disabilities, students, the elderly, gay men and lesbians, environmentalists, veterans, and welfare recipients. The Fund operates through tax-deductible contributions, which are then distributed to qualified groups who apply for grant assistance. The Haymarket cannot fund social service of advocacy projects; groups with budgets of more than $100,000; groups that receive large government or corporate grants; alternative businesses or institutions such as food co-ops or alternatives schools; groups with no fundraising plans other than Haymarket; or groups that have existed for less than one year.

The Haymarket People's Fund (HPF), a granting agency that advises and provides funding for grass roots, non-profit projects and organizations, was founded in 1974 by George Pillsbury and other young people with inherited wealth interested in bringing about broad social change by addressing local issues and community needs. Specifically, HPF seeks to "help people understand the sources of social and economic injustice in our country and how to change them; to support people trying to take control of their lives through challenging established power, learning how to use leadership, and developing self-respect; and to work towards the shared vision of a non-oppressive, life-supporting society" (1983-1984 Annual Report).

Between 1976 and 1977, the structure of HPF evolved from one community decision-making board in Boston to eight autonomous boards, one for each New England state and two for Massachusetts and Connecticut. From 1977 until 1983, one member of each regional board sat on the New England Board which reviewed and approved grant proposals and served as a board of directors. In 1983, HPF established the Coordinating Council, responsible for general administration of the fund, developing financial and personnel policies, and fund-raising plans.

Since 1975, the HPF of Western Massachusetts has distributed grants and provided emergency loans to hundreds of grassroots organizations that serve food, clothing, shelter, health and education needs in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. They have provided specialized services in the areas of AIDS education, substance abuse counseling, day care, elderly care, rape prevention and have worked to organize community support around the rights of women, minority or ethnic populations, workers, tenants, people with disabilities, and gay men and women. HPF has also educated and assisted potential donors in their investment and donation decisions.