| GRASSROOTS GLOSSARY |
| GRASSROOTS GLOSSARY |
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We are preparing the following glossary to explain some of the terms we share in
working with communities to advance social and environmental justice. It is critical
that we use commom terms when we communicate. If you have any word and/or
definition that you would like to see here, please e-mail it to us at
info@maringrassroots.org.
working with communities to advance social and environmental justice. It is critical
that we use commom terms when we communicate. If you have any word and/or
definition that you would like to see here, please e-mail it to us at
info@maringrassroots.org.
501(c)(3) — The section of the tax code that defines nonprofit, charitable (as broadly
defined), tax-exempt organizations; 501(c)(3) organizations are further defined as
public charities, private operating foundations, and private non-operating foundations.
Activist: someone who regularly monitors and engages in public problem-solving,
ranging from issue-oriented involvement to community-based action such as
advocating for affordable housing.
Advocacy: Active engagement in efforts to create or effect changes in policies or
systems. Advocates seek to influence outcomes (i.e. public policy, resource allocation,
etc) by highlighting critical issues, influencing public attitudes and providing individuals
with the necessary tools to have a voice in the decision making process. Advocacy
efforts can take many forms, including education, media, direct action and lobbying.
Alliance: A close association of groups formed to advance common interests.
Applied research: Research having a practical purpose or use.
Assets: (This term refers to community assets and not financial assets); the gifts,
skills and capacities of a community’s residents, associations and institutions.
At-risk: A term used to define populations (or individuals) in circumstances or
environments that threaten their personal health or safety. This term can also be
applied to populations whose health and safety could be threatened because of lack of
access to any health resources.
C
Capacity building: Activities that an organization, network of organizations, or a
community undertakes to enhance its effectiveness and its ability to improve any type of
outcomes in ways that build on its existing assets and resources. Activities may
include training, technical assistance, coaching, information dissemination, provision
of tools and equipment, convening, networking, assessment, evaluation, community
based research, asset mapping, planning, facilitation of communication, facilitation of
collaboration, and facilitation of access to policymakers--or provision of funding to
obtain the above.
CBOs: Community-based organizations.
Civic participation and engagement: the process by which community members'
concerns, needs and values are incorporated into governmental decision making. It is
a two-way communication with the overall goal of better decisions, supported by the
public.
Coalition building: The bringing together of individuals and groups in support of an
issue.
Collaboration: To work together in a mostly intellectual effort
Community mobilization: a process whereby a group of people have transcended their
differences to meet on equal terms in order to facilitate a participatory decision-making
process. In other words it can be viewed as a process which begins a dialogue among
members of the community to determine who, what, and how issues are decided, and
also to provide an avenue for everyone to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Community: Community can mean either a geographic location (e.g., four census
tracts in a town) or a place (e.g., a housing project). In addition, community can also
mean a shared history, common interest or association among individuals and groups.
Community-driven (Community-based): In a community-based plan, program or
organization, members of the community take ownership and control of every facet.
This means placing importance on inclusion, collaboration and focusing on the
community’s assets and resources rather than deficiencies.
Culture: Integrated patterns of human behavior that include language, thoughts,
communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values and institutions of racial, ethnic,
religious or social groups.
Cultural competence: The ability of organizations and individuals to work effectively in
cross-cultural or multicultural interactions. The capacity to function effectively as an
individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors and
needs presented by consumers and their communities.
D
Direct services: The provision of services such as free food distribution, case
management, counseling, medical or dental care and health screening.
Dissemination of information: Activities to publicize the process and/or outcomes of a
grant project in order to inform the field and policy development. Strategies include
presentations at conferences or symposia, articles in journals, peer consultation and
technical assistance, press conferences, etc.
E
Emerging: Organizations that are in the early stages of development and do not have
an established infrastructure or track record, or that are smaller with some experience
and history and are seeking to grow and expand
Evaluation: In project management, a systematic analysis of the degree to which a
program or initiative has achieved, or is capable of achieving, its goals and objectives.
F
Fiscal sponsor: A tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization that agrees to accept and be
responsible for grant funds on behalf of another organization. The fiscal sponsor is
responsible for the general management of grant funds, which can include keeping
financial records, disbursing funds in accordance with the purpose of the grant and
fulfilling reporting requirements. Fiscal sponsors are useful if the applicant lacks the
infrastructure to manage grant funds. Please note that if a group or organization is not
a legally incorporated organization, another organization may not act as a "fiscal
sponsor." In this case, if the "fiscal sponsor" organization is willing to take on full legal
responsibilities for the grant, the unincorporated group or organization may become a
project of the "fiscal sponsor" organization and the "fiscal sponsor" organization would
become the legal grantee.
Foundation-driven (Strategic grant making): Grant-making program in which the
funder solicits or initiates the project or program.
I
Inclusion: To be placed into a group or class; to be part of a whole. The Endowment
strives for inclusion of all Californians in receiving adequate preventive health and
health care.
In-kind contribution: A contribution of equipment, supplies or other tangible resources
(as distinguished from monetary grants).
L
Leadership development: The identification and nurturing of individuals that
understand and reflect the diverse cultural values of the community and whose values
and character enable them to influence others by providing purpose, direction, and
motivation. Leadership development activities may include scholarships, fellowships,
sabbaticals and training opportunities.
Lobbying: There are two forms of lobbying defined under federal regulation. Direct
lobbying is a communication that (1) is with a legislator, an employee of a legislative
body, or any other government employee who may participate in the formulation of the
legislation; (2) refers to a specific piece of legislation; and (3) expresses a view on it.
Grass roots lobbying is a communication that attempts to influence specific legislation
by encouraging the public, other than the organization’s members, to contact
legislators about that legislation. Such a communication must (1) refer to a specific
piece of legislation; (2) reflect a view on it; and (3) encourage the recipient to take action
or contact a legislator about the legislation. Private foundations generally may not lobby
or fund lobbying except in limited circumstances such as issues affecting their tax-
exempt status.
REFERENCES (PARTIAL LIST)
BEST, Monique and DUSTAN, Leanne. The Civic Participation of Visible Minority
Canadians:
A Literature Review. Social Planning Council of Otawa. 2006
BOSMA, Juanita Handy; KEATING, Elizabeth; JARMON, Leslie Jarmon. New Forms of
Participation and Knowledge for Global Issues in Local Civic Forums. The University
of Texas at Austin - Science, Technology & Society Program. April, 2006.
CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT. Source : http://www.calendow.
org/reference/new_glossaryref.stm. On August 14, 2007.
defined), tax-exempt organizations; 501(c)(3) organizations are further defined as
public charities, private operating foundations, and private non-operating foundations.
Activist: someone who regularly monitors and engages in public problem-solving,
ranging from issue-oriented involvement to community-based action such as
advocating for affordable housing.
Advocacy: Active engagement in efforts to create or effect changes in policies or
systems. Advocates seek to influence outcomes (i.e. public policy, resource allocation,
etc) by highlighting critical issues, influencing public attitudes and providing individuals
with the necessary tools to have a voice in the decision making process. Advocacy
efforts can take many forms, including education, media, direct action and lobbying.
Alliance: A close association of groups formed to advance common interests.
Applied research: Research having a practical purpose or use.
Assets: (This term refers to community assets and not financial assets); the gifts,
skills and capacities of a community’s residents, associations and institutions.
At-risk: A term used to define populations (or individuals) in circumstances or
environments that threaten their personal health or safety. This term can also be
applied to populations whose health and safety could be threatened because of lack of
access to any health resources.
C
Capacity building: Activities that an organization, network of organizations, or a
community undertakes to enhance its effectiveness and its ability to improve any type of
outcomes in ways that build on its existing assets and resources. Activities may
include training, technical assistance, coaching, information dissemination, provision
of tools and equipment, convening, networking, assessment, evaluation, community
based research, asset mapping, planning, facilitation of communication, facilitation of
collaboration, and facilitation of access to policymakers--or provision of funding to
obtain the above.
CBOs: Community-based organizations.
Civic participation and engagement: the process by which community members'
concerns, needs and values are incorporated into governmental decision making. It is
a two-way communication with the overall goal of better decisions, supported by the
public.
Coalition building: The bringing together of individuals and groups in support of an
issue.
Collaboration: To work together in a mostly intellectual effort
Community mobilization: a process whereby a group of people have transcended their
differences to meet on equal terms in order to facilitate a participatory decision-making
process. In other words it can be viewed as a process which begins a dialogue among
members of the community to determine who, what, and how issues are decided, and
also to provide an avenue for everyone to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Community: Community can mean either a geographic location (e.g., four census
tracts in a town) or a place (e.g., a housing project). In addition, community can also
mean a shared history, common interest or association among individuals and groups.
Community-driven (Community-based): In a community-based plan, program or
organization, members of the community take ownership and control of every facet.
This means placing importance on inclusion, collaboration and focusing on the
community’s assets and resources rather than deficiencies.
Culture: Integrated patterns of human behavior that include language, thoughts,
communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values and institutions of racial, ethnic,
religious or social groups.
Cultural competence: The ability of organizations and individuals to work effectively in
cross-cultural or multicultural interactions. The capacity to function effectively as an
individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors and
needs presented by consumers and their communities.
D
Direct services: The provision of services such as free food distribution, case
management, counseling, medical or dental care and health screening.
Dissemination of information: Activities to publicize the process and/or outcomes of a
grant project in order to inform the field and policy development. Strategies include
presentations at conferences or symposia, articles in journals, peer consultation and
technical assistance, press conferences, etc.
E
Emerging: Organizations that are in the early stages of development and do not have
an established infrastructure or track record, or that are smaller with some experience
and history and are seeking to grow and expand
Evaluation: In project management, a systematic analysis of the degree to which a
program or initiative has achieved, or is capable of achieving, its goals and objectives.
F
Fiscal sponsor: A tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization that agrees to accept and be
responsible for grant funds on behalf of another organization. The fiscal sponsor is
responsible for the general management of grant funds, which can include keeping
financial records, disbursing funds in accordance with the purpose of the grant and
fulfilling reporting requirements. Fiscal sponsors are useful if the applicant lacks the
infrastructure to manage grant funds. Please note that if a group or organization is not
a legally incorporated organization, another organization may not act as a "fiscal
sponsor." In this case, if the "fiscal sponsor" organization is willing to take on full legal
responsibilities for the grant, the unincorporated group or organization may become a
project of the "fiscal sponsor" organization and the "fiscal sponsor" organization would
become the legal grantee.
Foundation-driven (Strategic grant making): Grant-making program in which the
funder solicits or initiates the project or program.
I
Inclusion: To be placed into a group or class; to be part of a whole. The Endowment
strives for inclusion of all Californians in receiving adequate preventive health and
health care.
In-kind contribution: A contribution of equipment, supplies or other tangible resources
(as distinguished from monetary grants).
L
Leadership development: The identification and nurturing of individuals that
understand and reflect the diverse cultural values of the community and whose values
and character enable them to influence others by providing purpose, direction, and
motivation. Leadership development activities may include scholarships, fellowships,
sabbaticals and training opportunities.
Lobbying: There are two forms of lobbying defined under federal regulation. Direct
lobbying is a communication that (1) is with a legislator, an employee of a legislative
body, or any other government employee who may participate in the formulation of the
legislation; (2) refers to a specific piece of legislation; and (3) expresses a view on it.
Grass roots lobbying is a communication that attempts to influence specific legislation
by encouraging the public, other than the organization’s members, to contact
legislators about that legislation. Such a communication must (1) refer to a specific
piece of legislation; (2) reflect a view on it; and (3) encourage the recipient to take action
or contact a legislator about the legislation. Private foundations generally may not lobby
or fund lobbying except in limited circumstances such as issues affecting their tax-
exempt status.
REFERENCES (PARTIAL LIST)
BEST, Monique and DUSTAN, Leanne. The Civic Participation of Visible Minority
Canadians:
A Literature Review. Social Planning Council of Otawa. 2006
BOSMA, Juanita Handy; KEATING, Elizabeth; JARMON, Leslie Jarmon. New Forms of
Participation and Knowledge for Global Issues in Local Civic Forums. The University
of Texas at Austin - Science, Technology & Society Program. April, 2006.
CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT. Source : http://www.calendow.
org/reference/new_glossaryref.stm. On August 14, 2007.
Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.