The definition of ‘community-based coalition’ encompasses many different types of organizations from all corners of society and walks of life. Regardless of their goals, however, they all share one thing in common: they begin as grassroots movements in a community with a shared goal.
Today, many community-based coalitions form on social media. A community discusses issues they feel are important to them, and if enough people can agree on a goal, they may decide to form a community coalition.
A community-based coalition does not have an official legal standing under the law. Therefore, making decisions is often a delicate balancing act between members, as there is no legal or professional framework on which to base the decision-making process. This makes coalitions different from groups that practice online association voting.
When a community coalition becomes large enough, they often seek to legally identify as some form of nonprofit or professional organization. This is done in an attempt to streamline the internal processes and create guidelines and rules for the organization. This also provides legitimacy, especially in the eyes of donors who may fund the goals of the coalition.
Because the definition of ‘community coalition’ is so broad, the organizations listed here may or may not have labeled themselves a ‘community-based coalition.’ Regardless, they all began as grassroots organizations that snowballed into much larger organizations.
In the mid-1800s, as the industrial revolution exploded and ever more factories were built, thousands of young men came from the countryside to big cities to find work. Often lonely and seeking camaraderie, a group of twelve young men decided to start a bible study group.
None of them could have foreseen how this organization would grow into the worldwide juggernaut that it is. While officially a Christian organization, the YMCA has long been an inclusive and diverse organization.
Commonly known as MAAD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a well-known organization born out of tragedy. However, determined to not let that tragedy befall others, MAAD has worked tirelessly since the early 1980s to strengthen drunk driving laws and reduce drunk driving.
While MAAD cannot be considered solely responsible for the overall improvements in drunk driving rates, it is undeniable that they were a major political force and were instrumental in forcing legislatures to act. Since 1980, the number of drunk driving deaths have plummeted and awareness has skyrocketed.
What began in the 1960s as one couple's dream to provide affordable housing has blossomed into the largest nonprofit homebuilder in the world. According to their statistics, they have helped shelter more than forty-six million people around the world.
Former President Jimmy Carter personally helped build more than 4,000 homes with Habitat for Humanity and continued until 2022, when he finally retired at ninety-seven years old.
None of these organizations would exist at the scale they do today without a rock-solid association legal structure that set forth the organization's goals and bylaws.
When a community-based coalition becomes too big for its members to make timely and democratic decisions, it’s time to create a structure that is fair for all. By doing so, the organization gains legitimacy and much-needed transparency for its members and potential donors, without which, many community coalitions could not survive.
With clear society election processes in place, the organization can then begin to elect its leaders. Once there is clear leadership at the top, the majority of its members can focus on individual roles instead of fighting for their voices to be heard at every meeting.
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