Expansion of Training and Technical Assistance to ACORN Organizations

About this grant

This grant will enable the American Institute for Social Justice (AISJ) to expand the training and technical assistance provided to local groups affiliated with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). For more than 30 years, AISJ has provided training and technical assistance in community organizing principles and methods to low- and moderate-income communities. ACORN is one of the largest U.S. community organizing networks.Multiyear funding will support efforts to identify, recruit and train additional organizers; provide ongoing professional and personal development opportunities for organizers; hold local and regional training events for leaders; establish new chapters; and develop partnerships with other organizing networks.During the past three years, accomplishments included providing training for more than 1,000 Spanish-speaking leaders; developing new training modules for leaders on relevant issues; convening political and social theorists and nonprofit leaders to provide in-depth consultation to leaders; offering a series of education organizing workshops; and increasing the number of organizer training academies to 40 per year.