Washington for Justice plans to ramp up involvement in ‘24

WASHINGTON — Advocacy group Washington For Justice has resolved to expand its efforts in the community this year, with plans to run more events and seek federal recognition as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, while also sending representatives to observe, — and sometimes volunteer on — local boards and commissions.

Dan Henderson, who was nominated as the group’s director at its January meeting, said nonprofit status would help with W4J’s funding, not only because it implies a tax break for donors, but because it qualifies the organization for myriad grant applications, and holds it to a higher standard of organization.

“We’ve been working fairly informally for the past three years, and I think we’ve made some difference, I think we’ve made some impact, but I think we could probably do a little bit better job with a little bit more organization,” Henderson said. “A board of directors, we’ve never had that. So I think we’re going to get more voices, giving direction and input … so it’s part of moving forward with our mission.”

The group’s calendar for 2024 has programming scheduled every month, including film screenings, book club meetings, and the usual array of events like meal kit giveaways and holiday celebrations. Henderson said he hoped the plans would draw attention to the cause.

“Being more aggressive might not be the word to use, just more prominent and more visible,” he said. “It’s to let people know that we really are here to help create a positive community.”

Washington For Justice’s mission statement is to make Washington a “more inclusive community,” a goal it has mostly pursued in the context of racial equality, with events on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, as well as an affectionately nicknamed “banned book club,” that discusses literature like “The Sum of Us” by Heather McGhee and “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas. The organization has also held food drives, hosted film showings and contributed to Washington’s annual Latino Fest.

Some community members have criticized the group as a partisan entity. While W4J does not endorse candidates for office, it does promote firm stances about the teaching of Black Americans’ history, and has commented in favor of local government relief checks for mostly Latino excluded workers who did not qualify for federal pandemic aid.

While especially politicized entities are barred from federal 501(c)(3) status, Henderson said the organization’s actions were hardly those of a left-leaning lobbyist group.

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“Promoting policies that promote inclusion and diversity can be non-partisan,” he said. “Do we have ideas that one party or the other might find more attractive? That’s probably true, I’m not going to try and kid anybody, but anyone is welcome to contribute and volunteer.

“Giving away food is not a partisan issue, or clothing drives, or even just watching a film to learn something new … If you compare that to what churches do, it’s pretty clear that the issue of a nonprofit is a pretty wide definition.”

The group initially considered pursuing nonprofit designation in 2022. While that plan was delayed, members at the time weighed the options of seeking 501(c)(3) status alone, or attaching themselves to a larger, better-established group.

While W4J still plans to coordinate more with other entities in the coming years, Henderson said the current plan to establish an independent 501(c)(3) would help maintain the organization’s hometown focus.

“We want to serve our local community in the way that makes most sense, and national organizations sometimes might have a different agenda,” he said. “This will allow us to remain ourselves.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com