ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, was the nation's largest community organization of low- and moderate-income families, working together for social justice and stronger communities. From 1970 to its end in 2010, ACORN had grown to more than 175,000 member families, organized in 850 neighborhood chapters in 75 cities across the U.S. and in cities in Canada, the Dominican Republic and Peru.
ACORN's accomplishments include successful campaigns for better housing, schools, neighborhood safety, health care, job conditions, and more.
ACORN members participate in local meetings and actively work on campaigns, elect leadership from the neighborhood level up, and pay the organization's core expenses through membership dues and grassroots fundraisers.
ACORN has constantly challenged the traditional notions of what a community organization is, and its family of organizations includes two radio stations, a voter registration network, a housing corporation, and several publications.
Roots of a Social Justice Movement (1970-75)
The Sixties were an important time in the history of American politics. The decade witnessed struggles for freedom for low-income people and …
Early Growth
The broad vision of ACORN as a movement to unify the powerless in pursuit of economic justice was not shared by all the members. The inclusion …
Electoral Campaigns
No political movement in America can be considered complete unless it is capable of mounting a significant election campaign. In 1972, ACORN …
ACORN 80 Results
The outcome of the 20/80 campaign was rather mixed. The ACORN Commission was chaired by Mickey Leland, Congressional Representative of Houston, …
The Reagan Era (1980-1985)
This period witnessed dramatic changes in American politics and social life. ACORN also had its own concerns, especially the consolidation …
Organization Building
Other, less noted, but still important, political developments also occurred during the 80's. ACORN learned the lessons of the Quorum Court …
Maturity and the Future (Sharing the Dream)
This period witnessed the maturity of ACORN in preparation for the '90s. The people and the organization they comprise, 70,000 plus in twenty-…
Opportunities and Threats (1990-95)
1990-95 follows the building and consolidation of the previous five years. Working at all levels of politics and in every corner of the country, …
Insider Opportunities
With a Democratic President and Congress, the national government became more receptive to reforms promoting the political power of low- and …
New Threats, New Victories, 1994 – 2002
In November, 1994, the resurgence of the Republican Party in Congress dramatically changed the political picture for ACORN. It posed new threats …