What does “grassroots” bring to mind for you? Typically, it’s a vivid picture of citizens banding together, fighting for issues of concern to their community with passion and fervor. In Canada, grassroots and non for profit organizations are the lifeblood of communities, but since they are not formalized, they can be difficult to define. So, let’s dissect what makes up a grassroots organization being really “grassroots” in Canada.
Above the Buzzword: The Substance of Grassroots
A grassroots organization, in short, is a people-powered initiative. Unlike large top-down institutions, grassroots organizations are built from the ground up, spearheaded by the people directly affected by an issue or committed to an ideology. They are, according to Plural Policy, organizations that “seek to achieve change at the local level” and are often “initiated by members of the community who seek to advance change.”
Think of this analogy: if a nationally funded charity is a high-tech, well-oiled machine, then a grassroots organization is a community garden – tended by local hands, rooted in the earth, and fruit-bearing for those who till it.
In essence Canadian Grassroots Organizations
Taking lessons from many Canadian and international voices, some of the most important characteristics are as follows:
Community-Led and Driven: This is perhaps the most important feature. Grassroots organizations are established and run by people in communities themselves, not by external agencies or professional workers. As The Philanthropist describes, they are “embedded in communities” and are more likely to reflect the local-lived reality and needs of the communities themselves.
Local Focus: Their influence is often seen most directly at a local scale – a neighborhood, a town, or a particular community with a specific issue. This hyper-locality enables grassroots involvement and localized responses.
Structure (Generally Informal): While certain community-based organizations can evolve into more formalized structures, the majority possess loose, less bureaucratic structures. Toronto Nonprofits mentions that such organizations might not possess charitable status, formal boards, or even bank accounts, often running on volunteer effort and informal networks.
Volunteerism and Enthusiasm: People’s action is fueled by volunteers’ passion. There is often a deep personal connection to the cause, and this leads to incredible tenacity and creativity with limited resources. As UNHCR points out, their worth is not so much in “seed money” but in the inherent value of people’s participation.
Direct Action and Advocacy: These organizations are not debate clubs; they’re activist. They will organize protests, place local campaigns, provide direct services, or drive policy changes directly impacting their demographic.
Resourcefulness and Flexibility: With finite budgets and at times leveraging in-kind contributions and personal networks, grassroots organizations are resourceful. They create creative solutions to problems, leveraging local knowledge and networks. This particular trait aligns with our core values here at Serious Otters, where we understand that doing more with less is often an unavoidable challenge.
Why Grassroots is Important in Canada
In the multicultural Canada, grassroots organizations hold a unique importance:
Plugging Holes: They address issues that are too marginal or too tiny for large organizations or where the mainstream provision falls short.
Giving Voice to the Marginalized: By taking power to the people, they give voice to people whose views might otherwise be unspoken.
Building Civic Engagement: They encourage active citizenship in neighborhood democracy and community growth.
Fomenting Change: Their close proximity to community requirements has a tendency to compel creative, situation-specific solutions.
The Unsung Heroes of Community Change
It’s not about defining grassroots organizations in some neat package. It’s about recognizing the inherent qualities, their worth, and the amazing power that exists in action brought about by the community. In Canada, these are the unsung heroes of social change, evidence that great movements are built small by no more than a small number of like-minded individuals who come together, community by community.
Here are some great examples of grassroots organizations:
- BC Poverty Reduction Coalition: A coalition working to end poverty in BC.
- Nature Kids BC: Engages children and families in nature exploration and conservation.
- Kiwassa Neighbourhood House: A grassroots, multiservice community agency in East Vancouver.
- Artscan Circle: Encourages Indigenous youth to express themselves creatively through the arts.
Resources:
- What is a Grassroots Organization? – Plural Policy
- Grassroots Organizations Are Just as Important as Seed Money for Innovation – UNHCR Innovation
- Recognizing Grassroots Groups – Toronto Nonprofits
- What are Grassroots Organizations? – Diversity.social
- Supporting Better Conditions for Grassroots Work in Communities – The Philanthropist
