LA Philanthropy Watch

Yesterday, I linked to a report by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (”Strengthening Democracy at 15 Nonprofits in Los Angeles“).  Earlier this week at NCRP’s blog, Lisa Ranghelli, one of the authors of that report, related an anecdote that the NCRP report (”Strengthening Democracy, Increasing Opportunities: Impacts of Advocacy, Organizing and Civic Engagement in Los Angeles County“) only touched on.  It’s a story about an immigrant mother in South LA, whose daughters experienced asthma, nose bleeds, and other respiratory problems.  When she started knocking on doors, she discovered that other neighborhood children had experienced similar symptoms; she suspected these health problems were caused by the heavy metal plating factory near the school.

Martha Sanchez eventually became president of her neighborhood ACORN chapter to wage a fight – which has stretched out more than 14 6 years [See comment below.], but may soon conclude in a victory – against that factory’s presence in her neighborhood.  (This battle was referenced in an earlier post at LA Philanthropy Watch, “Just What Can We Say on ACORN’s Behalf?” and reported initially by Scott Gold in the Los Angeles Times, “A good move for South L.A. neighborhood.”)

This story is both inspirational and daunting.  Inspirational, because it illustrates how change is possible; how one person, speaking with her neighbors, can become a leader; how the leverage of a community organization – built step by step – can become a powerful force.  Daunting, because a possible victory is looming only now – after 14 years!  Those daughters are practically grown up.

California ACORN, which no longer exists (though the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment has been launched in its stead), is one of 15 nonprofits featured in the NCRP report as a model of effective community organizing and policy advocacy.  While I have every reason to suppose that NCRP’s assessment is accurate, it contrasts with the accounts of ACORN – the national organization, which ceased operations on April 1 – that played out in the media beginning in summer 2008.

In a series of posts in February at LA Philanthropy Watch, I related the recent history of ACORN through the lens of three public controversies.  In doing so, I found reason to defend ACORN, but I also had occasion to find fault.  A number of readers have found reason to fault my account.  Last month (“ACORN Revisited: Readers Question This Blog’s Account”), I promised to review the series presented at LA Philanthropy Watch and to acknowledge some shortcomings.  My next post will begin with commentary on ACORN’s demise offered by Pablo Eisenberg, co-founder of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, before I revisit the three ACORN controversies I described in February.