Transformative Organizing

Transformative Organizing Model

Transformative Organizing (TO) is a theory of change for building powerful grassroots social movements. It diagnoses the interlocking systems of capitalism, imperialism, racism, patriarchy, and ableism as the root causes of oppression, situating people most impacted by these systems — the multiracial working class — as the best positioned to make change. 

As directly-impacted people unite to fight for our communities, we open a space for personal growth, ultimately transforming how we relate to ourselves, one another, and the world. This is the foundation of our TO Model: change that starts from within and radiates outward.

We offer this Transformative Organizing Model, a synthesis of the best organizing practices developed across the grassroots organizing sector over the last decade, in response to the organizing, training, and political education needs of this time.

What makes Transformative Organizing different?

Transformative Organizing is distinct from other organizing models because it recognizes that transformation at multiple levels — systemic, community, and individual — is required to change the unjust conditions facing multiracial working-class communities. 

Grassroots organizations are an ideal vehicle for TO because they are where people practice radical democracy, nurture a sense of belonging and common identity, experience leadership development, and build the power necessary to win systems change. 

Transformative Organizing School

Our Transformative Organizing School uses our TO Model to train organizers on how to build resilient and effective grassroots movements to change society. 

Our first training series of the school focuses on the craft of transformative base building, where participants can sharpen their intuitive organizing skills to recruit, retain, and develop people into leaders. Base building is a fundamental power-building strategy that helps us develop strong and engaged memberships that can be mobilized for collective action to win.

Who we are

This school is a project of Grassroots Global Justice Alliance (GGJ) and Right to the City Alliance (RTTC) training thousands of organizers in growing movements to disrupt systems of oppression and achieve lasting change. Our alliances build the power of U.S. grassroots social movements by bringing organizations into a long-term process of relationship building, political alignment, and transformational leadership development.