The Gamaliel Foundation

Based in Chicago, Illinois, The Gamaliel Foundation is a 501(c) (3) organization, comprised of an international network of 55 institutionally based organizations operating in twenty-one states in the United States and four provinces in South Africa.

The Gamaliel Foundation was originally established in 1968 to support the Contract Buyers League, an African-American organization fighting to protect homeowners on Chicago’s Westside from discrimination by banks and savings and loan institutions. In l986, the Foundation was recreated as an organizing institute providing resources to community leaders in their efforts to build and maintain powerful organizations in low income communities.

The first Christians were considered a threat to the religious establishment of Israel. When some of the Sanhedrin, perceiving a threat to their authority, wanted to kill the leaders of this new religion, a wise man named Gamaliel intervened with these words, “Refrain from these men, for if this work be of men, it will come to naught. But, if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” (Acts 5: 38, 39). The Gamaliel Foundation does its work in the hope and confidence that its work is of God. Paul (Saul of Tarsus) understood himself to be a disciple of Gamaliel. (Acts 22: 3). Saul Alinsky, considered the pioneer of community organizing, made all his organizers read the letters of Paul because he regarded his namesake as one of the greatest organizers of all time.

The Gamaliel Foundation trains and mentors individuals in community organizing. It’s most well known student is Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States. Through extensive leadership training and development, and engagement in the public arena, Gamaliel equips its member affiliates with the tools needed to strengthen congregations and other community institutions.

These tools allow congregations and community institutions to build powerful and effective organizations that become vehicles for seeking justice on issues that negatively impact their families and communities.

It is the Gamaliel Foundation’s intention that our affiliate, GENESIS, be a powerful presence for justice in the East Bay Region of Northern California. It is committed to providing them the services of the Director, Gamaliel of California and a local community organizer. This affiliation includes the following leadership development opportunities:

  1. Weeklong and Basic National Training
  2. Advanced 3-Day Training
  3. National Clergy Training
  4. Special Training for Women Leaders
  5. Ongoing Consultation

Read more about The Gamaliel Foundation at their website: www.gamaliel.org