The North American Committee to Aid Spanish Democracy was an American organization established in 1936. It was an umbrella organization for ethnic groups and trade unions that donated money, medical necessities, and food to Spain through it. These donations were sent to the Spanish Loyalists during the Spanish Civil War.
It was identified as a communist front organization linked to the Communist Party USA. The historian Peter N. Carroll describes the organization as a "Popular Front organization that attracted Communists and Christians alike."
Also known as the American Friends of Spanish Democracy (originally called Friends of Spanish Democracy), the group was founded in New York City in 1936 by a group of clergymen and intellectuals under the leadership of Roger Baldwin, a member of the executive committee, and Bishop Robert L. Paddock, the chairman. John Dewey was named vice-chairman, but his role appeared to be largely honorific.
The objective of the organization was to gain support for the Loyalist government during the Spanish Civil War. By seeking public appeal, petitions, and letters of protest and by disseminating information on the situation in Spain, it hoped to counteract the effects of propaganda, placing pressure on the U.S President and Congress to end the arms embargo against Spain. It also raised funds for medical aid and refugee relief, which were distributed by the North American Committee to Aid Spanish Democracy. In 1939, a decision was made by its executive committee for its dissolution.