Spring 2024
Call for Applications: 

– End violence & apartheid in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.
Ceasefire Now!

– Address Fossil Fuel Industry
+ Infrastructure!

The purpose of the Get Up, Rise Up direct action fund is to support activists globally to shift power through strategic nonviolent direct actions to create a more socially and ecologically just, healthy, and equitable world for all. 

This spring we will be awarding small grants to creative, beautiful actions calling for ceasefire, and those targeting the fossil fuel industry and its infrastructure.

We are particularly looking to support grassroots mobilizations that disrupt binary framing, use compelling visuals, create many points of entry, consider your audience, have smart action logic, and address meaningful targets. Get inspired by principles, tactics, and stories in our toolbox and by the long legacy of Palestinian creative nonviolent resistance to occupation we detailed HERE

Right now, as we know, the situation in Gaza is one of utter chaos and abject horror. Beyond the urgent need for a ceasefire, a safe return of Israeli hostages and release of the over 7,000 Palestinian political prisoners detained in Israeli prisons, we need sustained action for an end to the blockade of Gaza, US (and other foreign) military aid to Israel, and the Israeli colonial and apartheid system.

As this transpires, the climate crisis is escalating. The movement for climate justice engages people on every continent. People are coming together to fight back against the fossil fuel industry and its enablers. We recognize global opposition to the proposed East African Crude Oil Pipeline as a key element of the current fossil fuel infrastructure resistance, and encourage those working on EACOP or similar projects to submit applications.

Ordinary people everywhere have a beautiful role to play in holding governments and corporations accountable. We recognize the transformative role arts and culture can play in shifting narratives that build people power toward collective liberation and a more just and healthy world.  

For the upcoming round of GURU Fund applications, we will select 5 actions. Proposals must meet the GURU Fund requirements. Grants will be awarded up to $1000. 

NOTE: Applications will be reviewed monthly and are due on the 5th of the month of which to be considered. However, this time around, the deadline has been extended to the 10th so make sure to submit your proposals as soon as possible!

Support us to offer more grants by making a generous donation HERE!! 
Learn more in this letter from Beautiful Trouble.

Do you have a BOLD, creative idea for your campaign—or a daring and urgent direct action—but you need a little tangible boost (i.e. cash) to help it happen? 

Africans Rising, ActionAidDK, ClimateActionNetwork-International, and Beautiful Trouble bring you the Get Up Rise Up [GURU] Direct Action Fund!

We seek to quickly resource scrappy grassroots local groups (both registered and unregistered) with ongoing campaigns that are too often underfunded or under-resourced despite their consistency in enacting creative direct actions. 

Bureaucracy is a tool of oppression so we've made the application and reporting processes simple and straightforward. Applications are accepted on a rolling-basis and reviewed monthly, so please submit your application by the 5th of the month in which to be considered. Note that this time around the deadline has been extended to the 10th!

GURU Fund Applications are reviewed on a first-come first-served basis until monthly funds are depleted. We pledge to respond to all requests as efficiently as possible!

Our goal is to support with streamlined micro-doses of resources to your campaign so that your group can focus on what you do best: organizing, educating and making beautiful, inspiring trouble!

Get Up Rise Up direct action fund grantee stories from our dispatches