Ploughshares Fund Announces $1,270,000 in Grants to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons

November 23, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Inquiries: Lauren Billet | Communications & Marketing Manager lbillet@ploughshares.org202-783-4401

Ploughshares Fund announces $1,270,000 in Grants to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons

The global security foundation’s board of directors awards grants to 19 organizations working to stop nuclear threats.

WASHINGTON, DC – The global security foundation Ploughshares Fund announced that its board of directors awarded $1,270,000 in new grants to 19 organizations working to promote the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons, prevent the emergence of new nuclear states, and prevent conflict and building regional security. 

The approved grants aim to hold the Biden administration accountable on nuclear policy, counter anti-China alarmism driving nuclear spending, encourage engagement with Iran and North Korea, and reduce tensions in the Middle East. 

“As COVID-19 and climate change have shown us, global issues require global solutions,” said Ploughshares Fund President Emma Belcher. “Nuclear weapons are a global threat. Diplomacy – not a new great power competition or new cold war – is required to build an off ramp from increased nuclear weapon production and possible use. Our investments into these organizations will strengthen this effort.”  

With these new investments, organizations like the Arms Control Association, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Federation of American Scientists, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, Women’s Action for New Directions will advocate, conduct research, or publish on issues including the potential for no first use policy, curbing the arms race, and addressing the health and environmental effects of nuclear production and testing.

“As the United States recently reconfirmed, a nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought. These grants support that reality,” said Director of Programs Michelle Dover. 

Investments in the organizations such as Friends Committee on National Legislation, International Crisis Group, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, and National Iranian American Council will support a diplomatic approach to resolving the Iran nuclear crisis. 

Grants to the European Council of Foreign Relations and President and Fellows of Middlebury College (MENACS) will support women and youth leadership working to address root causes of specific conflicts in the Middle East. 

Ploughshares Fund awards grants to reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons. A complete list of grants is available to the public at: www.ploughshares.org.

Organizations that received grants at the November 2021 board meeting include:

  1. Arms Control Association 
  2. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists  
  3. Federation of American Scientists  
  4. Friends Committee on National Legislation
  5. European Council on Foreign Relations  
  6. Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship 
  7. Inkstick Media  
  8. International Crisis Group  
  9. National Committee on North Korea  
  10. National Iranian American Council 
  11. NIAC Action 
  12. New America Foundation  
  13. Nuclear Watch of New Mexico
  14. President and Fellows of Middlebury College  
  15. Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft 
  16. ReThink Media 
  17. Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility 
  18. Women's Action for New Directions Education Fund 
  19. Women’s Action for New Directions

For media inquiries: Director of Communications & Marketing Delfin Vigil: dvigil@ploughshares.org; (415) 259-1247.

Ploughshares Fund is a global security foundation based in San Francisco, with an office in Washington, DC. Founded in 1981, Ploughshares Fund supports initiatives to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons. It is the largest US philanthropic organization focused exclusively on nuclear weapons.