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| National People’s Action | |
|---|---|
| Name | National People’s Action |
| Formation | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois |
| Leader title | Board Chair |
National People’s Action is a grassroots coalition and network of community organizations that advocates for progressive policy reforms and community empowerment across the United States. Founded in the early 1970s, the organization has engaged in campaigns addressing banking practices, housing, environmental justice, and labor rights, collaborating with a wide array of civic groups, labor unions, faith-based organizations, and civil rights movements. Its activities connect local organizing in cities such as Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles with national advocacy work in venues including Washington, D.C., the United States Congress, and federal agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The group traces roots to coalitions formed after the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the growth of community organizing models inspired by figures like Saul Alinsky and institutions such as the Industrial Areas Foundation. Early activity intersected with campaigns linked to the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 and local tenant movements in Boston, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee. During the 1980s and 1990s the organization expanded connections with national networks including the AFL–CIO, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, United Farm Workers, and Catholic Charities USA, while engaging in high-profile actions related to predatory lending, foreclosure crises tied to the subprime mortgage crisis, and municipal bond practices influenced by the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the 2000s and 2010s it coordinated with progressive coalitions such as MoveOn.org, Center for Community Change, United We Dream, and Code Pink on campaigns concerning banking reform, climate justice, and immigrant rights, leveraging advocacy at the White House and testimony before committees of the United States Senate.
Its stated mission aligns with principles advanced by organizers linked to Pax Christi USA, Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A, and community leadership programs at institutions like Northwestern University and University of Chicago urban initiatives. The organizational structure features a decentralized network model similar to the Poor People’s Campaign and the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, with local affiliates operating as distinct nonprofit entities such as community development corporations, tenant unions, and faith-based congregations. Governance often involves regional boards and alliances that coordinate strategy with advocacy partners including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, and Greenpeace USA on environmental justice matters.
Major campaigns have targeted financial institutions such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase over practices criticized during the 2008 financial crisis. Campaign strategies combine direct action similar to those used by ACT UP, civil disobedience in the tradition of Selma to Montgomery marches proponents, and policy advocacy resembling efforts by Campaign for Human Development grantees. Other prominent campaigns pressed for foreclosure relief associated with programs like the Home Affordable Modification Program and engaged in municipal fights analogous to Fight for $15 and tenant organizing movements seen in Oakland, Detroit, and Seattle. They have coordinated public pressure around rulemakings at the Federal Reserve and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and partnered with legal advocacy groups such as the ACLU, Public Citizen, and Legal Services Corporation.
Programs include community training modeled after curricula from the Industrial Areas Foundation and leadership development reminiscent of programs at the Southern Poverty Law Center’s community outreach. Activities feature mass membership meetings, direct actions at headquarters of corporations like HSBC, lobbying days in Washington, D.C. with allies such as Friends Committee on National Legislation, and voter mobilization efforts coordinated with organizations like Rock the Vote and League of Women Voters. They have run campaigns addressing environmental justice in regions impacted by projects scrutinized by Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Duke Energy, and participated in coalition initiatives on criminal justice reform alongside groups such as The Sentencing Project and Vera Institute of Justice.
The national network comprises dozens of local and regional affiliates, community organizations, clergy groups, and labor allies including chapters in metropolitan areas such as Miami, Houston, Minneapolis, and San Francisco. Affiliates have included tenant associations, community development corporations, and faith-based consortia comparable to National Council of Churches affiliates. Partnerships have connected the network with student groups at universities such as Columbia University, University of California, Berkeley, and Howard University, as well as national social justice organizations including United Auto Workers and Service Employees International Union.
Funding streams have historically included membership dues, foundation grants from philanthropic entities similar to Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Open Society Foundations, and contributions from allied labor organizations like the AFL–CIO and United Steelworkers. The network’s fiscal model often relies on the budgets of independent affiliate nonprofits and collaborative grantmaking consortia used by organizations such as Tides Foundation and Charity Navigator-evaluated groups. Financial scrutiny has intersected with nonprofit compliance norms administered by the Internal Revenue Service and state charity regulators in jurisdictions such as Illinois and California.
Critiques have emerged from political opponents, municipal officials, and some community stakeholders regarding tactics and negotiation outcomes, echoing disputes seen in conflicts involving Occupy Wall Street, Tea Party movement, and labor strikes in manufacturing centers like Detroit. Allegations have included questions about organizational transparency, campaign messaging comparable to controversies around ACORN, and strategic disagreements with allied groups such as Center for Popular Democracy. Legal and political pushback has at times involved litigation, municipal ordinances, and electoral challenges in states including Ohio and Florida.
Category:Community organizing organizations