Frequently Asked Questions about Reinvesting In America

What is Reinvesting In America?

Reinvesting in America (RIA) uses its extensive contacts to create networking opportunities for grassroots organizations. For thousands of organizations WHY has helped raise more than $6 million, initiated countless media connections and facilitated meetings with policymakers. A quarterly newsletter, Connections, delivers practical information on organization-building, fundraising, and hunger and poverty issues.

Whom does RIA serve?

RIA serves the servers - grassroots organizations that provide direct service. They are our primary clients. We provide them with networking connections and capacity building assistance. RIA also provides services to federal government agencies, foundations, musical artists, individual donors as well as the media by connecting them to some of the most innovative grassroots organizations working on poverty and hunger issues in the United States today. RIA serves individuals in need of assistance through referrals to grassroots service providers. We do not, however, feed or house people in need.

How many organizations are in the RIA database?

We have 5,000 grassroots organizations in our database and we are constantly updating as well as adding files.

What is the RIA Network?

The RIA Network is a formalized membership option for grassroots organizations.

What are the replication manuals?

The replication manuals serve as blueprints of the core principles, concepts and philosophies behind the model grassroots organizations in WHY's database. They are learning tools and sources of inspiration for others to build similar programs in their communities.

How were groups selected for the Replication Manuals?

In 1997, WHY in partnership with the Corporation for National Service Americorps* VISTA program, embarked on a year-long journey with seven outstanding grassroots organizations. The organizations, drawn from the Reinvesting in America database, were selected as participants in this national project because of their remarkable track records in transforming the lives of the people and communities they served. Their success seized our attention and inspired us to produce comprehensive replication manuals of their work. WHY continues to research, identify and select innovative and effective grassroots organizations to partner with for future manuals

What groups are spotlighted in the replication manuals?

Appalachian Center for Economic Networks is a coalition of small/family businesses in Athens, OH that share a professional kitchen facility and engage in joint marketing of their specialty food products.

The Bridge project of the Southwest Leadership Foundation matches local churches with homeless families in Phoenix, AZ, to foster church sponsorship of transitional middle-income housing.

California Emergency Foodlink, based in Sacramento, CA, trains and employs the homeless, the previously jobless and welfare recipients while salvaging fresh and packaged food for 1.5 million hungry Californians each month.

Esperanza Unida is a Milwaukee, WI, organization that both runs revenue-generating on-the-job training centers in fields such as auto mechanics, welding, construction and day care, and assists Hispanic workers in workers compensation and unemployment insurance hearings.

The Hartford Food System is dedicated to the development of an equitable and sustainable food system in Connecticut. It connects farmers with the people most in need of fresh produce.

LA's BEST is a citywide afterschool enrichment program in Los Angeles, CA, that has become a national model of partnership among schools, city government and private funders.

Women's Bean Project teaches work skills to economically disenfranchised women in Denver, CO, by employing them in a small gourmet bean and soup packing and catalog sales operation.