Private Sector Initiatives

Business

The business sector has a long history of operating with regard for societal betterment in the U.S. In the late 19th century, in response to the labor movement and the industrial revolution’s impact on growing slums, businesses began addressing employee and social welfare, such as through the provision of food coupons and construction of public facilities like hospitals.

Brown's Super Stores
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Propel's Fresh EBT
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Corporate Social Responsibility
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Business Coalitions
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Philanthropic

Philanthropy, or financial giving to promote the general welfare, has a long history in the U.S. including in the context of foundations, large individual donors, and donor pledges.

Scot's Charitable Society
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Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
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Peabody Education Fund
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Non-Profit

Nonprofits, organizations that meet certain conditions to be exempt from paying federal income taxes, are often what we think of when discussing supporting individuals in need.

YMCA
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Council of Foundations
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Feeding America
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United Way Worldwide
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Educational Institutions

Educational institutions have a history of engaging in antipoverty efforts in multiple ways including through the provision of affordable education and holistic student services, as well as by using their resources for poverty-related research and advocacy.

Mather School
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Joliet Junior College
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Amarillo College
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U.S. Collaborative of Poverty Centers
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Health Care

There are many ways that the healthcare sector has engaged to address inequity in healthcare and beyond, including through free or charitable clinics, hospital-based social services, and alternative affordable preventive and primary care options.

Haight Ashbury Free Clinic
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Sinai Health
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CVS Health
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Civic

A civic organization is a group of individuals who voluntarily come together to work on community affairs.  As the civic sector is broad and operates as a unified body on community issues, it plays a vital role in addressing poverty through donations, volunteerism, education, and advocacy.

Rotary International
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Girl Scouts of America
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Alpha Phi Omega
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Resident Association of Greater Englewood
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Faith

Faith institutions have a long history of serving individuals in need in their communities. Additionally, these institutions have given birth to larger networks of antipoverty support, and have created collaboratives to have an even larger impact.

Salvation Army
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Catholic Charities USA
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Fighting Poverty with Faith
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Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition
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Kairos Center
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Lived Experience

Individuals and families with lived experience bring an invaluable perspective on issues related to poverty and ways to support people who are affected by it. There are many examples of people with lived experience who have become vital leaders in antipoverty efforts ranging from serving as activists to sharing their stories to creating employment and housing opportunities for others in need.

Poor People's Campaign
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Street Sense Media
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Poor Magazine
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Individuals / Families

There are many ways for an individual or family to support people in need, including by self-educating, volunteering, donating, or advocating for policy and legislative change. An important step in addressing poverty is understanding its causes, effects, and solutions. There are many educational resources available including the Center for Poverty Research’s poverty FAQs, the Institute for Research on Poverty’s (IRP’s) sources on poverty and related issues, and Urban Institute’s publications on poverty and safety nets.

Circles USA
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Poor Magazines Solidarity Board
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Coalition of Human Needs
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