A Funder's Guide to Community Organizing

by Larry Parachini and Sally Covington

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Why a CO Toolbox?

NFG's Objectives for the Toolbox

Organization of the Toolbox

How to Use the Toolbox

Community Organizing: The Basics

What Is CO?

Case Study #1: Southern Echo

A Brief History of CO

Leadership and Participation: How CO Groups Work

Case Study #2: Lyndale Neighborhood Association

Community Organizers: Who Are They?

Types of CO Groups and the Work They Do

Case Study #3: Pacific Institute for Community Organization (PICO)

How National and Regional Networks Provide Training, Technical Assistance and Other Support for CO

Case Study #4: Developing a Faith-Based CO Organization

CO Accomplishments

Case Study #5: An Emerging Partnership Between Labor and CO

The Promise of Community Organizing

Grantmakers and Community Organizing

Issues to Consider at the Start

CO Grantmaking and NFG's Mission

Case Study #6: A Funder's Advice on Dispelling the Myths of CO

Why Grantmakers Prioritize CO

Case Study #7: Rebuilding Communities Initiative

Determining an Overall CO Grantmaking Strategy

Case Study #8: The James Irvine Foundation

Funding Opportunities in the CO Field

Case Study #9: The Toledo/Needmor CO Project

Evaluating Grassroots Organizing and Organizations: Choosing CO Groups to Fund

Case Study #10: CO and Race and Poverty

How CO Grantmaking Fits With Other Funding Priorities

Case Study #11: United Way of Massachusetts Bay

Measuring Results: How to Evaluate CO Initiatives

First Steps in Planning a CO Grantmaking Program

The Challenge and the Opportunity

Two In-Depth Case Studies

Introduction

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

The Hyams Foundation

Resources