"If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing" ~ Barack Obama

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Side Project Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote social justice and social change by incubating and developing grassroots projects. Since 2012, we have helped hundreds of grassroots nonprofit organizations establish a strong foundation by helping them with legal and operational challenges.

 

Side Project Inc. is a community organizing organization. Inspired by Barack Obama's call to action in his last speech as president, we provide resources, training, and technical assistance to community organizers, nonprofit leaders and social change agents who have decided to 'lace up their shoes and do some organizing'. Our work follows an Asset Based Community Development strategy (see http://www.abcdinstitute.org/). Using this strategy, we seek to build on and support community assets and work to mobilize individuals, associations, and institutions to come together to build onto their existing assets. This approach focuses on the potential of a community. Many communities address social and economic problems with only a small number of the community’s total capacity. This is the challenge and opportunity of community engagement. Our strategy starts with the assumption that EVERYONE IN A COMMUNITY HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER.

 

Our work supports individuals, organizations, and institutions focused on social change as they begin to identify, utilize, and add to the existing assets of a their community. Our resources, training, and technical assistance services focus on:

 

1. The rules, regulations, and laws impacting social change efforts,

2. Community organizing and development strategies,

3. Inclusion of ALL people in the community, and

4. Evaluation and outcome measurement.

 

Side Project is led by co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Fromknecht. Jeff received his M.S.W. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work and his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law in 2012. He is licensed to practice law in Florida, Pennsylvania, and the United States Tax Court. Jeff has spent his career in the nonprofit sector and has more than 12 years of experience working at health and human service nonprofits. Jeff coordinates a talented team of part-time staff, volunteers, and interns who bring their skills, passion, and social capital to support and enhance the impact of small nonprofits and grassroots projects.

 

Side Project is fueled by the passion and energy of a dedicated corps of young professionals with a desire to give back to the community.Your organization or project will benefit from our staff and volunteers’ eclectic blend of professional and educational experiences, which includes social work, law, nonprofit administration, grant administration, business administration, accounting, marketing, fundraising, and education. Jeff coordinates the volunteer efforts and matches volunteers with a charitable side project. Many of our volunteers are lawyers who help with legal issues, but we have individuals from other fields as well, including accounting, computer programming, website design, graphic design, editing, community organizing, and social administration.

 

Side Project Inc. is currently working with organizations in Palm Beach County in Florida as well as Pittsburgh and Erie in Pennsylvania. We would love to have a conversation about your idea or organization and give you a free consultation.