Invest in Peace!

What’s the easiest way to double your investment in peace? Tell a friend!

From March 31 through April 27, 2008, we’re inviting all of our Peace Alliance Partners—those who participate in our “stewardship programs” as a Peace Partner, Guarantee Fund member or Visionary Circle member—to double their contribution to The Peace Alliance. Not by increasing the amount they give, but by enrolling a friend to do the same.

That’s it! Just find one friend and enroll them in being a monthly donor at the same level you are or higher. If every Peace Alliance Partner does that, we’ll double the base monthly income for The Peace Alliance.

If you’re not currently a Peace Alliance Partner, you can still participate! Either become a monthly donor yourself or enroll a friend. It’s that easy.

Why Is This So Important?

Peace Alliance Partners are the financial heart and soul of the Department of Peace campaign, providing us with the monthly income that is the core of our annual budgeting process. That means you are the central fire fueling our growth.

For example, our staffing levels are directly tied to our income. So when we decide whether or not we can bring on a Director of Development and Donor Relations, a Director of Legislative Affairs, or pay monthly stipends to all of the Student Peace Alliance Coordinating Committee members, we don’t look just at our one-time donations (no matter how big they are!). We focus primarily on the money we KNOW we can count on every single month—that’s the income from Peace Alliance Partners. Why? Because we need to know we’ll be able to keep paying those people into the future!

Of course, this money helps fund much more than salaries. It shows donors that The Peace Alliance is not going away. That means we can build on the base provided by Peace Alliance Partners to bring in even more donations—donations that support activities such as:

• Professional grassroots organizing training and staff support to six regional conferences across the nation
• Sustaining the launch of our new PSA education campaign, showing people how they can help reduce and prevent violence
• A presence at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, including active media strategies (we currently have a space at the DNC and need grassroots help and connections to get the same at the RNC!)
• Expanded media outreach, including more staff, volunteers and materials
• Planning and implementing the 2009 National Conference in Washington, DC, where we expect to bring more than 1,000 activists to learn, organize and lobby for peace
• Increased support for the Student Peace Alliance, which in just two years has more than 70 chapters in high schools and colleges across the nation
• Improved web-based grassroots organizing, outreach and communications tools and materials
• And so much more!

It all starts with Peace Alliance Partners—our core funding, the root of our growth, the financial base of the entire campaign. If it’s not strong, the campaign can’t grow.

Become a Peace Alliance Partner now!

And tell a friend!

What do I do once my friend says "yes"? Celebrate! And then make sure that the donation actually gets made. You can either:

1)    Direct your friend to the appropriate web donation page
2)    Complete the web donation page for them using their information (it’s handy if you’re at your computer when you call them!)
3)    Have them complete a paper donation form and mail it in
4)    Complete the paper donation form for them and mail it in on their behalf

Web Donations
These are best for us because they require the least staff labor. It’s secure and simple.

We have separate forms for general donations and Peace Partners, Guarantee Fund members, and Visionary Circle members   But if you use the wrong one, don’t worry. Just contact Debbie in our Michigan office to clear it up.

Simply complete the online donation form and be sure to select "I want to make a recurring donation."

Monthly donations help us manage cash flow the best, but choose whatever frequency works for the donor.

Mail-in Donations

Here’s a link to our  updated donation form.  Please be sure that you or your friend write legibly and complete all information.

What’s the difference between a Peace Partner, a Guarantee Fund member and a Visionary Circle member? The difference is in the amount they give and the length of time they give it:

• Peace Partners contribute regularly to the U.S. Department of Peace campaign and the movement to facilitate a culture of peace by giving monthly or quarterly. To learn more, visit our Peace Partners page.
  
  
• Guarantee Fund Members pledge to contribute at least $1,000 annually for a specific number of years they choose. These funds “guarantee” the long-term strength of the movement. Donations can be made monthly, quarterly or annually.
  
  
• Visionary Circle Members pledge to contribute at least $1,000 annually until the legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace is signed into law and the first Secretary of Peace is sworn into office. Visionary Fund members stand with us in the vision that our ultimate success is assured. Contributions can be made monthly, quarterly or annually.

Thank you for everything you give—in your time, commitment, and passion. We know the strength of this movement lies in the people, not just in the finances.

Together, we’re making a world of difference.