ACPP at a Glance

Arise Citizens' Policy Project  (ACPP), founded in 1994, is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of 150 congregations and community groups and some 1,400 individuals united in their belief that low-income people are suffering because of state policy decisions. Through ACPP, groups and individuals join to gether to promote state policies that improve the lives of low-income Alabamians. In a state that by many measures is the worst place for poor people to live in the United States, ACPP believes acts of charity are vital, but they are not enough; we must work to improve harmful state policies. ACPP provides a structure in which Alabamians can engage in public debates with the goal of improving the welfare of all Alabamians. Donations to ACPP, a 501(c)3 organization, are tax-deductible.

ACPP's sister organization, Alabama Arise, is an advocacy coalition comprising the same membership.

ACPP uses three kinds of activities to promote fairer state policies toward low-income Alabamians:

• Policy analysis -- The ACPP policy team studies current state policies and legislative proposals and analyzes their impact on "the least of these."
• Statewide organizing -- ACPP believes low-income people deserve a voice in the development of public policies that affect their lives.
• Citizen advocacy -- ACPP works to equip its members for active participation in the democratic process, including legislative advocacy.

Our Mission

To promote state and national policies that improve the lives of low-income Alabamians.

Our Core Purpose

To work toward the elimination of poverty in Alabama and toward the alleviation of the effects of poverty on the lives of low-income Alabamians.

Our Core Values

1.  Agape – We strive to practice unconditional love, an understanding good will that suffers and works for life for all.

2.  Social, economic and environmental justice – We seek fairness and a high quality of life for every person in the community.

3.  Truth-telling – We speak the truth to those in power.

4.  Universal access – We believe that every person deserves access to the resources necessary for functioning in society and achieving full potential.

5.  The credibility of poor people – The insights of low-income Alabamians guide Arise’s understanding of poverty.

6.  Structural change – We believe that the primary causes of poverty are systemic, not individual.

7.   Participatory democracy – Well-informed members determine our agenda and shape public policy decisions.

8.   High integrity – We will not compromise our values to win.

9.   Mutual respect – We strive to be sensitive to the deeply held beliefs of member groups.

Our Central Strategy

To equip our members to influence state public policies (primarily legislative and administrative) to accomplish our long-range policy goals.

Our Supporting Strategies to Achieve High-Priority Goals

·     Analyzing and researching public policy

·     Producing publications

·     Lobbying

·     Mobilizing non-members and stakeholders

·     Influencing public opinion through public education and the media

·     Participating in efforts to influence federal policy when that would have a beneficial impact on state policy goals

Our Long-Term Policy Outcome Goals

1.  A fair, adequate and simple state tax system

2.  A restorative criminal justice system rather than a punitive system (including abolition of the death penalty)

3.  A new state constitution that reflects Arise’s core values

4.  A state budget that provides adequate services (such as education, child care, health care and transportation) for low-income people

5.  Wages, benefits & policies that provide economic security for all working people in the state

6.  Safe, affordable, accessible and adequate housing for all Alabamians

Our Criteria for Selecting Short-Term Policy Outcome Goals:

1.  It significantly advances our long-term policy outcome goals.

2.  It reflects our core values.

3.  It is an issue that can be affected at the state policy level.

4.  If it is a national or local issue, it has potential impact on state policy.

5.  It has the possibility of producing positive change.

6.  Arise already has or can develop the skills and capacity to address the goal effectively.

7.  Other considerations:

·      Who else in Alabama is already working toward this goal?

·      How effective have other efforts been?

Our Prioritized Short-Term Policy Outcome Goals (20012-13)

1.  Tax reform

2.  Adequate funding for health care (Medicaid, ALL Kids, etc.), child care and education

3.  Predatory lending reform

4.  Death penalty moratorium

5.  Constitutional reform

6.  Public transportation

7.  Immigration law repeal