Grantees
GPBF seeks to support organizations that specialize in grassroots peacebuilding around the world. By focusing on children and youth in the peacebuilding process, we are creating a better tomorrow. GPBF does not accept unsolicited grant applications. When we identify an organization to support, we perform an exhaustive due diligence process to ensure that our contribution goes towards youth peacebuilding efforts. We are proud to work with and support our current grantees: Peace Players International, Seeds of Peace, Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh, Musicians without Borders, Sterling Park Elementary School, Breaking Ground, and Jerusalem Youth Chorus.
Learn more about these standout organizations!
Peace Players International
Peace Players International (PPI) is global organization that uses sports to unite and educate young people in divided communities. PPI operates under the premise that “children who play together can learn to live together.” It is a great example of eliminating enemies by making them your friends. GPBF grants support PPI in Belfast, Northern Ireland, as they bring together Catholic and Protestant young people through their integrated basketball program.
Seeds of Peace
Seeds of Peace (SOP) facilitates dialogue and interaction at their peace camp in Otisfield, Maine. A significant goal of SOP is to enable dialogue program participants to see the human face of their enemies, and from that experience build relationships based on mutual trust and respect. GPBF grants provide scholarships for Israeli and Palestinian youth.
Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh
Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh (DCP) operates a 10-week social development program for fifth and eighth graders, focusing on ballroom dancing. Respect and compassion are the guiding principles of the program. The dancing helps break down social barriers between children, teaches them honor and respect, improves their self-confidence, and helps them communicate with, cooperate with, and accept others, even if they are different. GPBF grants support the “Color of the Rainbow Spring Team Match,” an exciting competition that showcases the skills of Dancing Classroom students.
Musicians without Borders
Musicians Without Borders (MWB) focuses on the power of music to build peace, connect people, empower musicians as social activitists, and train local youth as change makers. MWB creates one of the only opportunities in Mitrovica, Kosovo, for youth of different religions and ethnicities to interact. GPBF grants support the Mitrovica Rock School, which provides daily lessons and band coaching sessions to connect youth through weekly inter-ethnic workshops and its program for ethnically mixed bands.
Sterling Park Elementary School
Sterling Park Elementary School’s music curriculum, developed by Lisa Sabrkhani Maroney, emphasizes diversity and tolerance through its “Sound of Peace” and “Music Explorers: The Road Less Traveled” programs. Students are exposed to different cultures through the lens of music and explore their differences and similarities together, through various experiences and shared activities. Students are encouraged to explore their feelings and understandings of the world and are given a place to express their ideas. GPBF grants provide seed money to cover cost of musical instruments.
Breaking Ground
Breaking Ground operating in the west-African country of Cameroon, educates children and youth around non-violence and peaceful conflict resolution. GPBF grants support extra-curricular “Peace Club” dialogue programs. The clubs use theatrical sketches and dialogue to illustrate peaceful resolution to conflict, reduce tensions, and build shared identities, preparing citizens for reconciliation and sustainable peace.
Jerusalem Youth Chorus
The Jerusalem Youth Chorus is a choral and dialogue program for Palestinian and Israeli youth in Jerusalem. Their mission is to provide a space for these young people from East and West Jerusalem to grow together in song and dialogue. Through the co-creation of music and the sharing of stories, they empower youth in Jerusalem with the responsibility to speak and sing their truths, as they become leaders in their communities and inspire singers and listeners around the world to work for peace, justice, inclusion, and equality.