The Frank I. Sanchez Award

For over two decades, Frank Sanchez’s passion for social justice and democracy served as a bellwether that helped to guide and shape the direction of Needmor’s grant programs. Frank’s deep, relational approach to grantmaking is but one aspect of a legacy that will continue to guide our work for years to come. Upon his retirement in December 2018, the Board and Donor Family of the Fund established the Frank I. Sanchez Award for Excellence in Community Organizing to honor his many contributions to both Needmor and the field of community organizing.

2024 Recipient // Workers Defense Project

Needmor Fund for Social Justice is honored to announce that the Workers Defense Project is the recipient of the 2024 Frank I. Sanchez Award.

Workers Defense Project is a leader in the movement for good, safe jobs in Texas. Founded in 2002, WDP began as a small legal aid project for immigrant workers experiencing wage theft. In the more than twenty years since, the organization has developed a member base of low-wage Latine immigrant workers and gained notoriety for its ability to translate grassroots organizing and base-building into concrete policy wins in one of the toughest climates for workers in the country. Workers Defense has a multi-sectoral strategy and a historic focus on the construction industry, which is both one of the most powerful special interest groups in the state and one of the largest employers of immigrants. Founded in Austin, Workers Defense opened an office in Dallas in 2012 and another office in Houston in 2017.

To read more about what members of WDP have done, follow these links.

2023 Recipient // Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en La Lucha (CTUL)

CTUL is a worker-led collective that has worked to transform the lives of communities through winning strategic campaigns that have secured over $6 million in stolen wages and developed coalitions that successfully passed ordinances for minimum wage increases in Minneapolis and statewide. Their transformative, courageous, and innovative organizing strategies have fostered the creation of new labor unions and guidelines for stores like Target.

“Through leadership development, organizing, and powerful coalition building CTUL is at the forefront of creating new strategies to build long-term power in Black and Latino/a/e communities in the Twin Cities. We are truly honored to acknowledge their work with this year’s Sanchez Award”, says Jay Travis, Executive Director of the Needmor Fund for Social Justice.  

A member-led organization, CTUL is led by people most impacted by the systems they work to change. Recently CTUL members created the Downtown Workers’ Council in partnership with the Mayor, which informs the Mayor and City Council about the experiences of workers and allows them to co-create policy solutions. “Poor communities of color are systematically excluded from decision-making power in our communities. CTUL members are proud to be a part of the legacy of the Frank I. Sanchez Award, following in the steps of so many other organizations that have fought for a voice for marginalized communities”, says Veronica Mendez Moore Co-Director of CTUL.

Located steps away from where members of the Minneapolis police department murdered George Floyd, CTUL’s office became a resource for the broader community. In addition to effective organizing work, CTUL has supported its community by addressing trauma and loss. CTUL partnered with many neighborhood organizations to provide mutual aid amid uprisings and the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, CTUL members worked with organizations to win legislation for Essential Worker Pay, impacting the lives of 1,025,655 Minnesota frontline workers.

2022 Recipient // Promise Arizona

Founded in 2010 during the fight against SB 1070, Arizona's anti-immigrant law, PAZ has been a beacon of resilience and advocacy. Their members, driven by a commitment to justice and equality, organized a 24-hour vigil at the capitol for 103 days, becoming a focal point for pro-immigrant organizing and resistance. Since then, PAZ has evolved into the state's largest faith-based organizing group, addressing a spectrum of issues, including comprehensive immigration reform, legalization, and the DREAM Act.

Their victories have been numerous and impactful, ranging from leading Latino GOTV efforts to challenging the most detrimental elements of SB 1070. They’ve also played a pivotal role in the extension of the light rail, winning millage elections, and developing an equity-oriented Transit Oriented Development Plan for South Phoenix.

At the heart of their success is a commitment to serving the community, offering programs such as ESL, citizenship classes, immigration legal services, and COVID-19 testing & vaccination. These services, provided through the "English Innovations" platform, have empowered over 600 students to complete the 100-hour course, with more than 500 becoming citizens, registered voters, and PAZ members.

Their membership has grown significantly, reaching 800 members, up from 300 just five years ago. PAZ takes pride in its diverse and engaged membership base, contributing to the strength and vibrancy of our organization.

PAZ's strategy goes beyond immediate service provision; it focuses on membership recruitment and power-building. They train members through movement-building sessions, leadership training, and specialized task training to create a robust, informed, and empowered community.

PAZ remains committed to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and addressing systemic injustices. Their work towards a more equitable and just society is the reason they were chosen as this year’s Sanchez Award winner.

2021 Recipient // ISAIAH

At the heart of ISAIAH’s mission lies a commitment to building a multiracial, statewide movement that empowers the voices long excluded from public life. They have been at the forefront of transformative initiatives since its formation in 2000. Working with 200 churches, 30 mosques, Black barbershops, and more, ISAIAH has played a pivotal role in achieving significant victories for the community.

From restoring Green Line stops in low-income neighborhoods to defeating Voter ID amendments, ISAIAH has consistently championed the causes of justice. The organization's impact extends to mortgage foreclosure prevention, raising the minimum wage, restructuring transportation funding formulas, and resisting preemption proposals that would undermine workers' rights.

ISAIAH's dedication to building leaders has led to exponential growth in its base. The organization's innovative approach to leadership development has seen the number of members rise from 2,000 in 2015 to an impressive 8,000 in 2020.

Over the years, ISAIAH has expanded its reach by establishing constituency groups such as the Muslim Coalition, the Black Barbershop and Congregation Collaborative (BBCC), and Kids Count On Us. These groups have not only grown in numbers but have also played crucial roles in community leadership and mobilization.

ISAIAH's collaborations with other power-building organizations, both locally and nationally, highlight its commitment to fostering multiracial solidarity and dismantling historical divisions. The organization actively participates in various campaigns and coalitions, addressing issues ranging from sustainable energy and progressive revenue expansion to childcare and racial justice.

In 2020, ISAIAH ran the largest volunteer-led voter program in Minnesota, demonstrating the power of community-based leaders in shaping the democratic process. The organization's efforts, grounded in shared agendas and a commitment to multiracial democracy, engaged diverse communities across the state.

2020 Recipient // Somos Un Pueblo Unido

Somos is recognized for their exceptional work in building communities that guarantee the dignity, civil rights, and worker's rights of all people, irrespective of national origin or citizenship status.

Founded in 1995 as a Santa Fe-based immigrants' rights group, Somos has evolved into a statewide immigrant-led organization dedicated to promoting racial and worker justice. Their multi-pronged, long-term power-building strategies, including direct action, community organizing, leadership development, research, voter engagement, and grassroots policy advocacy, have been instrumental in protecting rights and improving economic conditions in their communities.

With over 3,500 members, Somos has successfully organized immigrant workers and families from Mexico and Central America into eight membership teams. These teams actively engage in local and statewide campaigns to address issues such as economic security, driver's licenses, in-state tuition, and financial aid. Additionally, Somos has expanded its membership geographically, investing in infrastructure in southeastern New Mexico and McKinley County, with newly opened offices.

Somos' commitment to leadership development has resulted in approximately 325 leaders, recruiting through campaigns. This program has provided valuable community organizing skills, and several interns have become full-time organizers, ensuring the sustainability and growth of Somos' impact.

Recognizing the challenges faced by low-wage workers and immigrant families in New Mexico, Somos has been at the forefront of policy wins, such as raising the state minimum wage, strengthening sanctuary policies, and defending driver's licenses for immigrant families. Their work extends beyond local victories, contributing to national alliances like the Fair Immigration Reform Movement and the National Partnership for New Americans.

Somos has been diligently working to diversify their funding base. To that end they formed a fund development committee in 2016, which has led to a significant expansion of grassroots fundraising, raising over $110,000 per year from individual donors and members.

2019 Recipient // Faith In Indiana

FIA is a dynamic organization dedicated to developing movement leaders, amplifying the prophetic voice, and forging strategic coalitions to address racial and economic injustice in Indiana.

Faith in Indiana emerged in response to the challenging political landscape in the state over the last decade. With a commitment to restoring democracy and promoting racial and economic justice, Faith in Indiana has undertaken a transformative journey. The organization has grown from its roots as IndyCAN, a coalition of twenty congregations in Indianapolis, to a statewide force with 164 congregations and organizational members, representing 40% of the state's electorate.

Through strategic initiatives, Faith in Indiana has successfully advocated for critical policy changes, improved everyday life for vulnerable Hoosiers, and shifted the public conversation on politics in the state. Their work includes building a sanctuary network, defeating efforts to establish private prisons, and advocating for public investments in healthcare, paid family leave, and other policies to support families.

Faith in Indiana's commitment to leadership development is evident in its multi-tiered approach, involving thousands of Hoosiers who have contributed to the organization's growth and impact.

Faith in Indiana's wins include criminal justice reform, transit expansion, and defense of immigrants in crisis. Faith in Indiana's commitment to civic engagement is highlighted by its voter engagement program, which significantly increased voter turnout and contributed to progressive victories in the 2018 elections.