Resource Center

Introduction

“This incisive book provides a critical history and analysis of community organizing, the tradition of bringing groups together to build power and forge grassroots leadership for social, economic, racial, and environmental justice. Begun by Saul Alinsky in the 1930s, there are today nearly 200 institution-based groups active in 40 U.S. states, and the movement is spreading internationally.

David Walls charts how community organizing has transcended the neighborhood to seek power and influence at the metropolitan, state, and national levels, together with such allies as unions and human rights advocates. Some organizing networks have embraced these goals while others have been more cautious, and the growing profile of community organizing has even charged political debate. Importantly, Walls engages social movements literature to bring insights to our understanding of community organizing networks, their methods, allies and opponents, and to show how community organizing offers concepts and tools that are indispensable to a democratic strategy of social change.

Community Organizing will be essential reading for advanced undergraduates and graduate students of sociology, social movements and social work. It will also inform organizers and grassroots leaders, as well as the elected officials and others who contend with them.” from publisher’s website

Contents

1. Introduction: Making Change
2. Saul Alinsky and the Industrial Areas Foundation
3. An Organizing Worldview
4. Tools of the Trade
5. New Networks Innovate
6. Organizing and Electoral Politics
7. Alternative Approaches
8. What’s Next?
Acknowledgements
Bibliography

Reviews from publisher’s website

A superb comprehensive reading of the social, intellectual, and political history of community organizing in the U.S. The clear and engaging account of the central guiding ideas from Alinsky to Ganz, plus outlining possibilities for the future, makes for very worthwhile and enjoyable reading. It lays out basic concepts and elements of community organizing while at the same time offering real on-the-ground stories of real people who did real things in relation to creating social change.
Susan A. Ostrander, Tufts University

Community Organizing is actually three books in one: a scholarly analysis of the key components of successful movements for social change, drawing on the most important thinkers and theories from the past and present; a compendium of contemporary case studies of grassroots organizing efforts on a wide range of issues; and a “how to” manual for activists who want to apply these lessons in the real world. Walls’ book is accessible, well-written, and up-to-date. People who teach and practice community organizing will want this book on their shelves.
Peter Dreier, Occidental College

Why This Book is Useful

Readers will find in this book:

• A deep dive into the lineage of organizing (starting with Saul Alinsky and the Industrial Areas Foundation) and how the practice has adapted to current contexts.

• An understanding of how organizing shifts from neighborhood power to institutional and electoral realms.

• A bridge between theory and practice: how organizing frameworks translate into campaigns, leadership development and systemic impact.

If you’re just beginning, our What Is Organizing? resource offers an accessible introduction. For deeper process tools, see Creating Shared Strategy which explains how groups align around goals, power and change.

How the Book Connects to Our Organizing Framework

This book aligns with the 5-practice framework of organizing: Storytelling, Relationship Building, Structuring Teams, Strategizing, and Action—which is explored in our The Organizer’s Handbook guide. It also maps into the broader overview provided by our Guide to Organizing which gathers hundreds of tools and resources.

Moreover, this book can also be paired with People Power: Change – Organizing for Democratic Renewal by Marshall Ganz, which offers a narrative-and-leadership approach to democratic change. That resource is available here.

For trainers and facilitators, our Practice of Social Movement Leadership deepens how leadership emerges through relationships, collective risk and continuous learning.

Suggested Use

• Use this book as a core text in a training series on organizing.

• Pair chapters with practical worksheets, strategy sessions and team reflection.

• After reading a chapter, ask participants: “What power do we already have? What power do we need? How do we build it together?”

• Use the accompanying resources to scaffold workshop sessions from history → strategy → action.

Closing Reflection

In short, “Community Organizing” is not just an academic history—it’s a guide for real movement building. It invites readers into a tradition, helps map current practice, and equips them to design their own change efforts intentionally and strategically. By linking this book with the wider suite of resources on organizing we provide, you’ll strengthen both your understanding and your capacity to act.