Another Politics is Possible
"We, the Left, have been described as being weak, fractured, disorganized. I attribute that to three things: COINTELPRO. 501(C)(3). Capitalism." -- Suzanne Pharr at the 2004 conference The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex.
This Movement Building Conversation will focus on the 501(c)(3) Non-Profit system. This, aside from Labor is where nearly all of our community organizing, all of our movement building work is housed. Similar conversations have struggled to get beyond critique and move toward exploring alternative models and structures. That's where we will begin the conversation:
- Alternatives to Foundation Funding
- Structures that don't reinforce oppression and bottleneck our movements
- Movement Building inside and outside the Non-Profit Industrial Complex
- Exactly what do we need funding FOR?
Whether you have a new group that wants to take the next step, are thinking about a career in the non-profit world, or are already working for a non-profit, you may be asking similar questions. We will not focus on complaining about, nor attacking existing 501(c)(3) organizations, or foundations. Great work with revolutionary potential happens every day inside of such institutions. The point is how powerful would it be if we didn't let our work be limited?
Let's form like Voltron!
Want to participate in this May's People's Movement Assembly but aren't part of a group yet? This will be the first Movement Building Conversation where we will be making explicit time to form groups at the end of the conversation.
Tuesday, Feb. 23th 7-9pm
Augustana Lutheran Church
