The Direct Action & Research Training Center

The Direct Action & Research Training Center We believe that communities should determine their own futures. DART’s 31 affiliated organizations span 10 states.

The Direct Action and Research Training Center (DART) is one of the largest faith-based community organizing networks in the country. By harnessing the power of organized people, these organizations hold political and economic systems accountable for acting fairly—pushing them to become more equitable and just. Since 1982 our network has fought for and won policy changes that have addressed system

ic failures which disproportionately harm low-income communities as well as communities of color. Some of our collective victories include:
- Hundreds of millions of dollars invested in affordable housing
- Implementation of fair discipline policies in hundreds of schools, breaking the school-to-prison pipeline
- $950 million invested in public transportation
- Criminal justice reforms resulting in 30,000 fewer arrests of children


DART is a network of doers. We understand that the road to a society free of racism and economic injustice is a long one that requires dedication and persistence. To create lasting change, we must do work that extends beyond charity and advocacy—while important, these efforts generally only serve as temporary solutions to permanent, systemic problems. In a world where the interests of the wealthy are prioritized, DART seeks to create communities that honor people power as the true catalyst for change.

Are you angry about the injustices that our communities face? Sick of feeling powerless to make change? Tired of address...
04/20/2026

Are you angry about the injustices that our communities face? Sick of feeling powerless to make change? Tired of addressing the symptoms of community problems, but not the unjust systems that cause these issues in the first place?

Community organizers in the DART network get to channel that frustration into action. Organizers train everyday people how to fight for - and win - justice in cities across the country. Tomorrow, we’re holding a virtual info session to share about what it looks like to build a career in community organizing. Join us to learn more about how our affiliates build real people power and how you can apply for our open positions.

RSVP at www.thedartcenter.org/rsvp

Want to make doing justice your job? On April 21st, we're holding an online info session to share more about careers in ...
04/06/2026

Want to make doing justice your job? On April 21st, we're holding an online info session to share more about careers in community organizing. We invite you (and anyone you know who is passionate about justice!) to join us on the 21st. RSVP at www.thedartcenter.org/rsvp

Happy 2026!As we step into the new year, our hope is fueled by the incredible work our organizers and grassroots leaders...
01/02/2026

Happy 2026!

As we step into the new year, our hope is fueled by the incredible work our organizers and grassroots leaders pushed forward last year. Our communities are threatened by injustices old and new, yet our affiliates refuse to fall into the traps of despair and hopelessness. Instead, they have continued to fight, and to win - last year, DART affiliates across the country secured millions of dollars for truly affordable housing, programs to stop gun violence, care for those suffering from mental health crises, and so much more.

Swipe through the graphic to read about some of this immensely powerful work. Do you want to win justice in 2026? We’re hiring professional community organizers. Check out thedartcenter.org/careers for details.

When we think about ‘power’, it often sounds like a bad thing. After all, we are all too familiar with how those in powe...
12/16/2025

When we think about ‘power’, it often sounds like a bad thing. After all, we are all too familiar with how those in power frequently use their position to oppress others. But if we seek to create communities where everybody is cared for, there’s no way around it - we need some serious power.

When our affiliates win millions of dollars towards affordable housing, resources for those in mental health crises, or proven solutions to gun violence, it’s not because they had the right connections, did exceptional research, or put together a perfectly crafted narrative. It’s because they had the sort of people power necessary to push their representatives to agree to, and follow through with, these commitments.

We know that in any community, there are two sources of power: organized money, and organized people. While others can certainly outspend us, our affiliates work tirelessly to become formidable forces of people power. That means hundreds of grassroots leaders deeply engaging their networks and organizing their congregations. Through that dogged building of people power, our affiliates turn out thousands of people at their annual Nehemiah Actions, flexing their power before officials to win the changes our communities need.

Want to learn more about what people power looks like in action? Check out our website at thedartcenter.org to get a better idea of the powerful movements our affiliates are building.

Are you angry about the injustices that our communities face? Sick of feeling powerless to make change? Tired of address...
11/11/2025

Are you angry about the injustices that our communities face? Sick of feeling powerless to make change? Tired of addressing the symptoms of community problems, but not the unjust systems that cause these issues in the first place?

Community organizers in the DART network get to channel that frustration into action. Organizers train everyday people how to fight for - and win - justice in cities across the country. Tomorrow, we’re holding a virtual info session to share about what it looks like to build a career in community organizing. Join us to learn more about how our affiliates build real people power and how you can apply for our open positions.

RSVP at www.thedartcenter.org/rsvp

Do you feel overwhelmed by the injustices plaguing our communities and country? Alone, it can feel impossible to know wh...
09/30/2025

Do you feel overwhelmed by the injustices plaguing our communities and country? Alone, it can feel impossible to know where to start or how to make a difference. Those who benefit from unjust systems want us to believe that ‘the way things are’ is unchangeable, and that the issues our communities face are too large for any of us to make a difference.

Instead of letting that overwhelm freeze us into inaction, our affiliates are building the people power needed to chip away at unjust systems. This week, we’re excited to spotlight FAST (DART’s affiliate in St. Petersburg, Florida). Instead of leaning into despair, FAST is paving a path of hope and real results for the St. Petersburg community.

FAST is a network of around 50 congregations of different faith traditions, tied together by their calling to do justice. After more than five years of organizing, FAST won $9.16 million for Care About Me, a streamlined resource for people suffering from mental health and addiction. Thanks to FAST, up to 1,000 Pinellas County residents per month can access care instead of suffering without help. FAST also got the county to implement a Penny-for-Pinellas Sales tax that has produced more than $85 million so far for building affordable homes. These are just a couple of the many victories that FAST has won through bringing together everyday people to demand change for their community.

Swipe through the graphic above to read more about the current fights FAST is pushing forward. Want a job that empowers you to make change in your community? FAST and other DART affiliates across the country are hiring fulltime organizers. Find more information at thedartcenter.org/careers

We know there aren’t many opportunities to gain experience bringing over a thousand people together to address issues of...
09/17/2025

We know there aren’t many opportunities to gain experience bringing over a thousand people together to address issues of injustice in your city. That’s where the DART Organizers Institute comes in: the five-month, intensive, on-the-job training that all new organizers in the DART network receive. Through the Institute, organizers learn how to develop the leadership of everyday people of faith so that together, we can build the kind of power necessary to hold officials accountable for meeting the needs of every neighbor.

This August, seven new organizers began their journey through the DART Organizers Institute: Phillip, Austin, Pai, Latoya, Molly, Jeanne, and Will. We’re thrilled to be joined in the fight for justice by these passionate, driven organizers. Swipe through to learn more about them!

Want to make doing justice your job? We’re hiring organizers in St. Petersburg, FL; Tampa, FL; and Lexington, KY. Find more information at thedartcenter.org/careers.

This May, four new organizers started with our affiliates in Lakeland, FL; Tampa, FL; and Wichita, KS. We are incredibly...
08/19/2025

This May, four new organizers started with our affiliates in Lakeland, FL; Tampa, FL; and Wichita, KS. We are incredibly excited to introduce you to Destiny, Madeline, Tiger, and Ethan!

While these new organizers draw their passion for justice from different places, all of them are committed to making real change in their communities. Throughout the last couple months, they’ve been receiving intensive training as they jump into building deep relationships and helping grassroots leaders learn to advocate on their own behalf for justice. We can’t wait to see what these four dedicated organizers will accomplish in Florida and Kansas.

Want to join them in the fight for justice? We’re hiring! Check out our open positions through the link in our bio.

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9401 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami Shores, FL
33138

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