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Gamaliel was started in 1986 to train community and faith leaders to build political power and create organizations that unite people of diverse faiths and races.  Our mission is to empower ordinary people to effectively participate in the political, environmental, social, and economic decisions affecting their lives.  Gamaliel's diverse members apply their faith and values to the pursuit of equal opportunity for all, shared abundance, and stronger, more prosperous communities.

We build strong local organizations

With 43 affiliates and 7 state offices in 16 states, Gamaliel works to build strong metropolitan and statewide organizations.  National staff provides consulting, training, and support to leaders and staff in local organizations.  A survey of organizers and lead staff across the network at year's end found that Gamaliel's national staff is majority women.  People of color are about 40 percent of organizers, lead organizers, and directors across the network (56% or organizers across the network are women;  26% are women of color).

We develop powerful leaders through training

Gamaliel organizes 3 national week-long trainings per year, an advanced leadership/strategic campaigns training, NTOSAKE training for women, African American Leadership Commission, National Clergy Caucus, and a national leadership gathering in Washington, D.C.  These events reach more than 500 in total in a typical year.  A study in 2013 found that even 3 years following national week-long training, past participants could identify significant ways in which the training changed both their perception of how they build power and the skills that they use.  79% of participants noted they still used a skill gained at training at least once a week.

We run influential nonpartisan civic-engagement campaigns

Gamaliel helped pioneer advocacy and organizing on regional equity 15 years ago working with partners like John Powell and the Ford Foundation.  This work continues to be foundational to our policy and issue organizing.  Recognizing infrastructure projects' job-creation potential, and building on local affiliates' worker rights advocacy, Gamaliel has focused its campaign and jobs work on increasing access to jobs and job training on these mega-projects. This is a major focus of current work along with other issue campaigns including education transparency and accountability and immigration reform.

Facing Race and Power Summit

  • June 19-21, 2018 at Tommy Douglas Conference, Silver Spring, MD

Criminal Justice Retreat

  • June 8-9, University of Wisconsin - Parkside in Kenosha, WI

National Leadership Training (7 Days)

  • July 29 - Aug. 4, 2018

  • Nov. 11-17, 2018 in Carlinville, IL

NTOSAKE (Women's Leadership Training)

Sept. 20-22, 2018 at Columbiere Retreat Center in Village of Clarkston, MI

 

 

Find us online:




gamaliel.org

Our national office:

Gamaliel
221 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1320
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 357-2639

 

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