Bust it open: Non-Profits won’t fund the change we need by Sura, December 9
Who’s funding real change in the city of Milwaukee?
Is it non-profits?
Some would argue that it’s no longer these 501(c)(3) organizations, which have become increasingly addicted to funding through corporate ties.
Have you read “The Revolution will not be funded?” Its subtitle,”Beyond the Non-profit Industrial Complex,” gives you an idea what it’s about.
Just like political campaigns, organizations which previously relied on grassroots, door-to-door and other people-powered campaigns now rely on special interest money. Many would close their doors without it.
Talk to the creative frontline of non-profits, the organizers and managers, the activists and advocates. Many are full of new ideas, geared to make change, ready to do it. But they are often hobbled by their Executive Directors, who are beholden to their boards (some of whom are corporate reps), who serve the interests of the foundations and corporations that fund them.
This isn’t true of all non-profits, of course. But those of us who have worked for, with or in the non-profit world know what I mean.
Progress will always be hindered if Mutual Aid bows to Special Interest.
It’s time to lift our own heads, DIO (Do It Ourselves), start our own businesses, grow our own food, fund our own causes.
No one is going to do it for us.
9 Dec 2008 | 4:32 pm | DIY - Do It Yourself, Development, Environmental Sustainability, Representation
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raptor wrote:
December 9, 2008 at 6:22 pm
we need socially responsible business practitioners and individual community members who have integrity and a shared vision of community health to be the agents of change. we can absolutely not rely on the shifting political agendas and interests of the funders of npos. they are simply extensions of business and special interests with an altruistic front/facade. insidious.
annie wrote:
December 10, 2008 at 12:30 am
(I’m glad you read it! I am always looking for more people to discuss it with!) =) There is a hell of a lot of truth in that book, and it got me thinking differently at the right time and to do more research. The reality can be disheartening. But there is hope in the potential we all have to be our community’s own organizers and take responsibility for creating the movements and the momentum for the change we want to see. Be the movements, not buy them. Which is necessary, because true community organizing can’t be accepting government money, nor be dependent on and beholden to large donors and grant-makers.. They will pay for (and hold strong influence for) what *they* want, most often the least creative, most pro-status quo courses of actions and activities. And to think that one can “pay off” one’s obligation toward social justice in one’s community by merely “giving to charity” is to kid oneself in a multitude of dimensions. Truly, there are some worthy nonprofits. But even then, their political freedom is seriously hobbled by law; don’t be trying to structurally change things much toward actually eliminating the problems, now!
I could go on plenty more, but I’m happy to say that ultimately because of this book, originally, I argued against BV trying to become a 501c(3). If the community wants it enough, we’ll make it happen ourselves. Which in turn shows what we care about enough to make happen.