The hottest Community Organizing Substack posts right now

Federal immigration and other officers are carrying out aggressive, often warrantless raids across Minneapolis, abducting people (including U.S. citizens) and creating widespread fear and intimidation.
The raids are disrupting daily life and basic needs — schools, food access, jobs, and housing are being interrupted as families hide and rely on community food and legal support.
Neighbors are organizing peaceful, legal efforts to document and protect people but cannot stop heavily armed federal forces, so outside political pressure, donations to local groups, and regular contact with affected people are needed.

People across the country are working together in new ways to tackle challenges. It's great to see communities uniting to drive positive change.
Staying positive and recognizing good deeds can help offset negative feelings in tough times. Focusing on what others do well can inspire us all.
Every individual can contribute to their community and make a difference, no matter how small. Finding ways to get involved helps everyone feel more connected.

Advocate for sustainability within your current company to unlock opportunities for climate jobs for yourself and your colleagues.
Consider working on sustainability as part of your current job, even if your ultimate goal is to transition to a full-time climate job.
Start making small changes towards working on climate within your current role, viewing it as a gradual journey rather than an immediate shift.

Many people who qualify for unemployment benefits don't get them because applying can be really hard and confusing. Community navigators can help make this process easier for those who are struggling.
Research in Maine found that community navigator programs made it more likely for people to apply for and receive unemployment benefits faster. These navigators also helped reduce stress for applicants.
While community navigators can improve access, they can't solve all the problems. The unemployment system still needs more funding and better rules to work effectively for everyone.

Building successful coalitions requires meeting with others, finding common ground, and staying true to your group's vision and values.
Coalition-building involves reaching out to organizations with shared values and helping them achieve their goals while also maintaining authenticity.
Being part of a coalition may require making sacrifices, but it can be incredibly rewarding and effective in achieving common objectives.

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Communities often end up missing out on wealth created in their area because big companies take profits away. People need to recognize this and push for change to keep more benefits local.
Effective activism involves directly addressing the systems and industries that drain wealth from communities. This means fighting for better local governance and working together to build stronger, more resilient areas.
Individuals can find ways to make a difference by focusing on their strengths and interests. Whether it's through education, environmental efforts, or community organization, everyone can contribute to creating a fairer system.

It's important to take action against injustice, especially for marginalized communities. Sometimes writing isn't enough, and we need to participate in protests.
If you can't join protests, there are other ways to help, like donating to organizations that support protesters.
Working together can help create a safer environment where everyone can be in public without fear.

Power and authority come from promises and obligations created by those promises.
Coercion and control arise from access to resources, governing laws, and currencies in contractual promises.
Building a gift-based economy on reciprocal promises can help dismantle oppression and coercion.

Using essential tools like a space for community and writing platforms is crucial for starting an Impact DAO.
Documenting everything, including values, mission, and wins, is important for organizational knowledge and growth.
Understanding the best ops structure like workstreams or pods is key in managing a DAO effectively.