Mission and Vision

Our Mission…

The mission of The Needmor Fund for Social Justice is to work with others to bring about social justice. We support groups of people who come together to organize their community, build power, and challenge the social, economic, or political conditions that bar their access to participation in a democratic society.

Our Vision…

Our work is informed by a vision of democracy and justice:

  • The Foundation targets funding for organizations that serve low-income and moderate-income communities and those persons whose voices has historically gone unheard.

  • We seek a just society in which all persons are treated with dignity and assured their fundamental rights, including equal access to the basic necessities of life: food, shelter, safety, healthcare, education, livable wages, and a clean environment.

  • We work to build a nation in which all people are free to exercise their rights regardless of race, ethnic origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, economic status, or faith.

  • We believe in the power of community and its ability to collectively determine the best strategies for improving the lives of its members.

Our Values…

Every individual has inherent
worth and has the right to have
his or her voice heard.

Community organizing is one of the most effective means to engage and lift the voices of those whose participation in our democratic society has been
systemically denied.

Equality, equity, and inclusion of the diverse voices of our society are central to responsible deliberation and decision-making, within both our institutions and society-at-large.

Why the Midwest?

The Midwest is a pivotal region with a rich tradition of community organizing and coalition building.

The region is also the location of seminal racial and economic justice battles, formative labor organizing, and trailblazing electoral strategies. It is a battleground due to its political volatility and powerful organizing strategies, which reverberate beyond the region, replicated by organizers throughout the country. Through organizing, communities build long-term power to transform the living conditions of communities, states, and the region.