It’s time to invest in ACORN again
posted on: Wednesday, September 24, 2008
By Aaron Dorfman
It’s time for funders to resume funding ACORN, and to consider major new investments in the organization in the coming year. In times like these, the country needs ACORN back at full strength.
I wrote a critical blog posting about ACORN’s embezzlement scandal a few months ago, and I’ve been following the situation ever since. I’ve been extremely impressed with the openness and leadership of Bertha Lewis, their new Interim Chief Organizer and I am convinced that ACORN is systematically addressing the problems that led it into such trouble.
Has ACORN fixed everything in 90 days that needed fixing? Of course not. But it’s clear that the organization is committed to solving the problems and they are well on their way to doing so.
The most important development is that the organization’s board is much more engaged than it ever was under the leadership of Wade Rathke. When they finally learned about what happened, they took decisive action, and they are now attempting to fulfill their proper roles of governance and oversight. They’ve identified their weaknesses and are seeking training in the areas where they need help. There is still some controversy on the board, and it’s going to be a messy process, to be sure. But my overall assessment is that funders should have confidence that the board is now properly engaged and that the ship is sailing in the right direction.
Another important development is that mid-level staff – the ones who really make the campaigns happen at ground level – are excited and hopeful about the future of the organization under Ms. Lewis’ leadership. She has been sharing information openly with staff of all levels, which is a welcome culture change for the organization.
The country needs ACORN back at full strength as soon as possible, and that will require serious investment by foundations. The financial markets are in turmoil, and ACORN’s track record shows that it can be one of the most effective voices for ensuring that the interests of those most at risk in any economic downturn, including the hundreds of thousands of low and middle-income homeowners caught up in the foreclosure crisis and financial market meltdown, are protected in bailout discussions. Most importantly, a new administration will take office in January, and the American people need ACORN at the table fighting for communities that so often get left out. They have the capacity to have major impact, but they’ll need funding to make it happen.
Aaron Dorfman is executive director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.
Labels: accountability, Foundations supporting advocacy and organizing, transparency
It’s time for funders to resume funding ACORN, and to consider major new investments in the organization in the coming year. In times like these, the country needs ACORN back at full strength.
I wrote a critical blog posting about ACORN’s embezzlement scandal a few months ago, and I’ve been following the situation ever since. I’ve been extremely impressed with the openness and leadership of Bertha Lewis, their new Interim Chief Organizer and I am convinced that ACORN is systematically addressing the problems that led it into such trouble.
Has ACORN fixed everything in 90 days that needed fixing? Of course not. But it’s clear that the organization is committed to solving the problems and they are well on their way to doing so.
The most important development is that the organization’s board is much more engaged than it ever was under the leadership of Wade Rathke. When they finally learned about what happened, they took decisive action, and they are now attempting to fulfill their proper roles of governance and oversight. They’ve identified their weaknesses and are seeking training in the areas where they need help. There is still some controversy on the board, and it’s going to be a messy process, to be sure. But my overall assessment is that funders should have confidence that the board is now properly engaged and that the ship is sailing in the right direction.
Another important development is that mid-level staff – the ones who really make the campaigns happen at ground level – are excited and hopeful about the future of the organization under Ms. Lewis’ leadership. She has been sharing information openly with staff of all levels, which is a welcome culture change for the organization.
The country needs ACORN back at full strength as soon as possible, and that will require serious investment by foundations. The financial markets are in turmoil, and ACORN’s track record shows that it can be one of the most effective voices for ensuring that the interests of those most at risk in any economic downturn, including the hundreds of thousands of low and middle-income homeowners caught up in the foreclosure crisis and financial market meltdown, are protected in bailout discussions. Most importantly, a new administration will take office in January, and the American people need ACORN at the table fighting for communities that so often get left out. They have the capacity to have major impact, but they’ll need funding to make it happen.
Aaron Dorfman is executive director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.
Labels: accountability, Foundations supporting advocacy and organizing, transparency
posted by NCRP at
2:40 PM
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