Funders to approach for The Working Group

Organization Mission and Significant Activities: A.Not In Our Town (NIOT) is a movement to stop hate, racism and bullying, and build safe, inclusive communities for all. NIOT programs, comprised of grassroots film screenings, town hall meetings, coalition building, creation and distribution of organizing tools, fostering collaboration across key institutions, and evaluating impactinspire and sustain broad and diverse community-based movements. As a result, NIOT currently serves a national network of over 200 communities that are standing against hate and inequality and working to bridge differences to advance belonging. NIOTs programs include: 1. United Against Hate Week UAHW is a national civic week of action that provides resources for local organizations and governments to organize public events and information campaigns on combatting hate, protecting vulnerable groups and individuals, and exploring how inclusion strengthens local governance, public safety, and healthy businesses. In 2024, NIOT reached over 1 million people through direct engagement, communications, and collaborative efforts with partners for United Against Hate Week including 148 partner organizations and 264 cities and local governments. Not In Our Town is the convening and administrative partner for UAH Week, hosting webinars, training sessions, creating guides, presenting films, offering online resources through unitedagainsthateweek.org and collecting data. UAH Week is supported by the CA Stop the Hate Program. 2. Film and Media Production. NIOT completed and presented abbreviated versions of the film Repairing the World: Stories From the Tree of Life for school and community convenings. Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life chronicles the courageous response of the Pittsburgh community in the aftermath of the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. The film follows the families of the victims, Pittsburgh residents, and civic leaders as they examine their vulnerabilities, the impact of antisemitism, racism and hate speech and find ways to come together to show mutual support. 3. Film Outreach and Community Engagement: A Not In Our Town Film Guide was created to present free films to communities for United Against Hate Week. Seven public television films and over 100 short features and videos present living examples of how communities can stand up to hate. Films are offered to communities and schools through NIOT.org an online portal that includes viewer and classroom guides outlining how to convene meaningful screenings and discussions. Impact Example: Over 4,000 students in Allegheny County PA viewed the film Repairing the World: Stories From the Tree of Life. resulting in the formation of Eradicate Hate clubs and activities in 25 high schools. 4. Hate and Bias Action Teams: NIOT has developed deeper engagement models for communities seeking more integrated and durable models for hate crime reporting, response and cross-community cooperation. NIOTs pilot Hate and Bias Action Team model was supported by a 2022 grant from the Department of Justice. To pilot the program in Pittsburgh, PA and other cities, NIOT collaborated with local leaders to build a network of change agents rooted in existing civic organizations to form the structure for a community-wide response to hate and bias incidents. Program activities include formation of an ongoing coalition, monthly convenings, film screenings, trainings and material production and distribution. 5. Not In Our School- NIOT offers free resources for teachers and students including an Anti-Bullying Film Festival, action kits and guides for educators and parents. Not In Our School presented a series of webinars to support teachers seeking to address issues of safety and belonging emerging in high school and middle school…