The Direct Action & Research Training Center

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 systemic 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.