Grassroots

Fannie Hamer Mandela Jinnah Alice Walker CheGuevara

Getting Back to Getting Ahead:
The Grassroots Development Initiative

Resistance is the Secret of Joy

Alice Walker

2007 Public Policy Agenda (click to download)
2008 Public Policy Agenda (click to download)

Grassroots Development Initiative
The Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) was developed to outline a specific process to assist the SCACDC in strengthening the ability of its members (the community development corporations) to have a greater impact on public policy issues. We know that you are working hard, reducing poverty and building a movement in your neighborhood or town. To support your time and sweat equity, we at the SCACDC have partnered with groups like The Enterprise Foundation, The Southern Rural Development Initiative (SRDI) and groups like South Carolina Fair Share to present the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI). The GDI is a process that brings together community activists, non-profit officials, business people, and city and county government representatives to share information and create a project around a particular issue. For example, the Pee Dee GDI worked on a project to raise awareness about area joblessness and the options available to unemployed people. Each group is small (15 -25 persons) to allow for real relationship building and in-depth discussions. As the project matures, we may expand to include larger numbers. However, right now, we feel that the intimate size is key to our effectiveness. If you're a part of a GDI or looking to start one, contact Farrakhan James at (843) 579-9855.

Links

Downloads

Annual Report Template

Annual Reports are great ways to showcase your CDC's history, mission, staff, and progress. They can be given to potential funders, politicians or other people who want to learn about your group.

CDC Presentation Sample

Do you want to talk about your CDC with potential funders, local legislators, and others? A presentation is a great way to teach groups about your work. Download our sample presentation and change it to suit your group's needs.

  • Download Sample 1: MS PowerPoint | PDF Feel free to use the statewide data, but the Pee Dee data belongs to those CDCs!
  • Download Sample 2: MS PowerPoint | PDF

Public Policy Positions Template

Before you meet with politicians to discuss your community's wants and needs, give them written information about your CDC and your policy goals. (Updated for 2005)

Invitation Letter Template

Before inviting your local politicians to a policy event, you may want to invite them for a site visit of your CDC. You can also change the letter to use it as the invite to your policy event.

Press Release Template

Press releases are written to educate the news media about your group and an event you are hosting. They also provide the press with the material for a potential story.

SWOT Analysis Worksheet

The SWOT (Strength-Weakness-Opportunities-Threats) Analysis is a tool your group can use to identify changes you need to make or set new goals.

Presentations

Ideas for Generating Operating Income

Do you need advice on how you can make your CDC work less dependant on outside donations from people or foundations? This PowerPoint presentation by CDC Director Luis Rodriguez from the 2005 Grassroots Retreat outlines how his CDC, Santee Lynches in Sumter, has done just that. For questions contact Santee Lynches at 803.436.0020.

Winning the Battles

Rey Ocanas of JPMorgan Chase's community development wing describes his work to support CDCs in Texas using housing creation and other creative models. Email Rey at rey.j.ocanas(at)chase.com for more information.

Additional Resources

Pablo and Matilda NerudaIndira GandhiJimmy CarterMedgar EversSuheir HammadDalai Lama