What does it mean to raise money? Why raise money from individuals, especially poor individuals if there are foundations and rich people out there? Why not take from the rich and give to the poor? Isn't it anti-capitalist to take money from the rich and use it to fund our struggles?
These sentiments are just plain disturbing to me.
Grassroots fundraising to me is about ownership and empowerment. We live in a society that is controlled by the rich because they are rich. There is nothing radical, revolutionary, or even honorable about begging at their feet and competing with one another for their attention. That is only to get the money in the first place, once we get it, they have the right to set what "success" is in our community, and even ask us to do work the way they think it should be done.
Alternatively we could fund our own organizations. What's the difference? Wide based ownership and involvement in our work- because we do not have a lot of money, all of us would have to contribute albeit smaller contributions. With wide based ownership comes collective responsibility and true accountability to our community rather than a few rich folks. No one has unequal power, if someone decides the organization, work, and members no longer reflect their values they do not have the power to completely cripple nor shut down entire programs. There is also a recognition that we can not all do social justice nonprofit organizational work, but we are all involved in the struggle and can contribute to that struggle through different means. This is at its heart radical and revolutionary, it is truly taking control and power over our lives and outcomes. It is a clear statement that we can control our destinies and we will. When we are asking for money, we are not asking for money. We are asking for collective responsibility we are asking you, will you be part of the solution and change rather than the problem?
No comments:
Post a Comment