Talk:Community organization
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I am happy to see this entry.
In an attempt to improve the entry, here are a few comments.
1. Some community groups operate within a community that may not be defined by a geographical connection, ie "local." For example, ACORN is a community organization made up of low- and moderate-income families, working together for social justice and stronger communities.
2. The fundraising section seems a bit disconnected from the rest of the entry. For example, Community Organizations are defined as "nonprofits that operate within a single, local community." Later in the fundraising section, the entry reads "fundraising for community organizations is very different from that of charities and the larger nonprofits." By this definition, can community organizations not have a charitable purpose?
3. The following quote needs a citation: "Charities typically receive the bulk of their money from donations. Donations such as these rarely account for much more than 5% of a typical community organization's annual total." If church groups are community groups (as indicated in earlier in the entry), I would argue the veracity of the quote. Church groups are driven by donations. Also, how, then, are community organizations funded?
4. The following statement -to me- also violates the NPOV standards: "There are many reasons why community organization fundraisers have it a little h04:35, 11 June 2007 (UTC)Tvhickmanarder than their charity counter-parts. Obviously community organizations have a lot less resources at their disposal than the bigger nonprofits and charities, but the main reason is that the benefits of charities are much more obvious than those of the typical community organization."
5. Really, the whole "fundraising" section is problematic. Fundraising is a process of gathering donations. Non-profits, both big and small, typically raise funds, whether they have a charitable mission or not. It is my point of view, not an NPOV, that relationship building is a key part of fundraising in general.
It is difficult to define a community organization. Interested to hear others' thoughts on this entry. Tvhickman 04:35, 11 June 2007 (UTC)tvhickman
In Chicago there exists a huge problem with community organizations. They see themselves as shadow governments, and although they sometimes make a token effort to appear to be a charity, everyone knows that their sole reason for existance is to influence legislation, which in the U.S. is a violation of IRS regulations for non-profit corporations.
Advocating for or against legislation is not in violation to IRS regulations. "Extensive" lobbying or supporting a political candidate, however, does violate IRS regulations. See this link http://www.cnmsocal.org/ForNonprofits/FAQLobbying.html Tvhickman
"Community-based organization" as defined in the Workforce Investment Act (United States)--The term ``community-based organization means a private nonprofit organization that is representative of a community or a significant segment of a community and that has demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in the field of workforce investment. Tvhickman —Preceding signed but undated comment was added at 15:35, 17 September 2007 (UTC)
