“From the Ground, Up”
A Quick Definition
• Merriam-Webster defines grassroots as:
– The very foundation or source
– The basic level of society or of an organization
especially as viewed in relation to higher or more
centralized positions of power
• In basic terms, a grass roots movement starts
from nothing
• Like actual grass roots, they start from the
ground and grow up
Definition
• It should be emphasized that grassroots
organizations are bottom, up movements
• They are the opposite of top, down
organizations
• Grassroots essentially means run by the
common people
Bottom Up
• Grassroots are not controlled or started by the
people already holding power
• Started by local organizers rather than upper
echelon members of society
• Recognize these people? No.


John Dalhuisen,
Director of Amnesty
International
Jim Leape, Director
of the WWF
Famous Examples
• The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s
• Began by a small group of people with a
common goal
• Used methods like church meetings, sitins, letter writing, and marching to get
their message across
• The Occupy Wall Street Movement
• Modern example that most people
today can relate to
• Started with the idea of a few, but
that idea resonated with many
Famous Examples
• I provided two examples of major grassroots
movements, can you think of any others?
• Do grassroots movements have to be marches
and protests to be considered?
• What else defines a grassroots movement?
More Common Forms
• Though things like the Civil Rights Marches
and Occupy are very popular, they are only a
tiny proportion of what makes a grassroots
movement
• Most organizations are focused individuals
who start with a basic idea and expand from
there
• What are the most common types?
Non-Profits
• These are generally the most common types
of grassroots movements
• Use revenue to achieve its goals rather than
distributing as revenue
• They usually have a small amount of paid
workers, but volunteers are generally the
corps of the organization
Well Known NPO’s
•
•
•
•
Amnesty International
The Red Cross
World Wildlife Fund for Nature
SOS Children’s Village
NPO Stats
• According to the National Center for Charitable
Statistics, there are over 1.5 million non-profit
organizations in the U.S.
• It is estimated that NPO’s employ, in a broad
sense, around 10% of the U.S. population
• The NCCS also runs a website to help people find
data and opportunities for non-profits
• http://nccs.urban.org/
• http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/telling-ourstory/nonprofits-numbers
More Locally Based
• Just because an organization is not a nonprofit, does not mean they aren’t a grassroots
organization
• Remember, grassroots by definition means it
is an organization that when started, is
unconnected to anything else like the
government
• Do we have any grassroots around Portland?
Local Grassroots
• Zapoura provided some great links to
educational organizations for this week
– http://www.openbooksproject.org/index.aspx
– http://www.familyforwardoregon.org/
– http://stand.org/oregon
• These are three great options but there are
tons more
A Few More In PDX
• Upset about the budget cuts and lack of school
funding? So is UPSET!
– http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/0
5/grant_high_schools_grassroots.html
• Want to help support children from the cradle to
career?
– http://allhandsraised.org/
• Learn to eat sustainably and support those who
go hungry in our community
– http://www.growing-gardens.org/
What Can You Do?
• Much like the volunteering we started this
term, participating in a grassroots movement
seems daunting
• Just take your time, figure out what you are
passionate about
• Look at the links provided or do a quick
Google search to find something that suits you
and your passions
Can You Help?
• Absolutely.
• Keep in mind, most grassroots organizations
are non-profits and need all the help they can
get
• Most welcome volunteers and people willing
to donate time and energy
• I know most of us are poor but donating
money is always appreciated as well
Essentials
• Grassroots organizations are generally started by
individuals and small groups with a focused idea
• They may broaden or narrow their focus after
starting, but always have a specific mission in
mind
– (i.e., bettering education, feeding the hungry, helping
the impoverished)
• Built on ideas but kept running by dedicated
workers and tons of volunteers
Questions
• What are some major grassroots organizations
you can think of?
• What good can these small movements do?
• Are grassroots movements ever effective?
• Do the movements have to be big and popular
to effect change or can a small group do just
as well?
• What are the implications if we don’t have
grassroots movements within our society?