Defining social change organizations Invite organizations that work for social change. They include advocacy and legal services groups, human service agencies and charities and philanthropic organizations. Human service organizations generally respond to the needs of the disadvantaged in society. Such groups include community action agencies, the United Way, youth and senior social care groups, shelters, counseling organizations and job training centers, family services providers and Planned Parenthood Federations, religious and other charities and associations for mental health and the disabled. Many social change groups combine advocacy and service to promote the public good.
Philanthropic organizations provide money to social change and social service groups.
The latter two types of grantmakers are usually better bets as progressive employers since they usually target specific causes or locales in funding projects. Invite groups listed with offices nearby, and don't hesitate to call organizations outside your community that could lead you to affiliated groups in your area. See Appendix C for PIRG chapters list. Student community service projects have been gaining momentum on campuses across the country, and many schools have established organizations to match students' energies with community needs. If yours is such a school, then relationships with social change groups in the area may already exist.