Research Associates Foundation (RAF) was founded as a 501(c)3 organization in 1982 by a group of Baltimore activists to buy and renovate a building that would the hub of progressive activism in the Baltimore area. A vacant library building was purchased and renovated and opened as the Progressive Action Center (PAC) in October, 1982. A wide variety of groups had offices and met in the PAC including the Alternative Press Center, several Latin American solidarity groups, Baltimore Indymedia, the Democratic Socialists of America, Baltimore Rainbow Coalition, and the Industrial Workers of the World.

In 1987, Research Associates dissolved its partnership and contributed its assets to Research Associates Foundation, a tax-exempt organization with educational purposes to sponsor research and educational programs and to `further the understanding of . . . local problems in their relationship to broader forces.'

After more than 25 years, the RAF board decided to sell the building and use the proceeds to give small grants to local activist groups. RAF consists of people who seek a society with a more equitable distribution of wealth and power.

Our intent is to promote activism and education for activism in order to achieve these goals.