We believe that people working together have the power to change their communities and their country for the better. We challenge talented leaders to imagine the change they can accomplish, connect individuals and institutions to build power, and mobilize people by the thousands. We set audacious goals, create savvy strategies, and take on the powerful interests that stand in the way. And we get results!
East Brooklyn Congregations (EBC) is a non-partisan organization composed of dues-paying member institutions, including congregations, schools, and homeowners associations. We have deep membership bases in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville/Ocean-Hill, Bushwick, Crown Heights and East New York.
EBC was founded in 1979 in East New York and Brownsville. Over the past several decades our accomplishments include the construction of over 5,000 affordable Nehemiah homes and apartments, the opening of two public high schools, $5 million in park renovations, and countless other neighborhood improvements.
All of these victories were fought for and won by local leaders. Thousands of pastors, homeowners, principals, teachers, congregants, and others took the time to develop relationships, make a plan and take action together. This is what makes EBC unique and powerful.
We are part of the Industrial Areas Foundation, the nation’s first and largest network of multi-faith community organizations. We have seven decades of experience winning tough battles across the nation. Our sister organizations passed the first living wage law in the country in Baltimore, and mobilized a grassroots uprising for the creation of universal health care in Massachusetts—both of which have become national models for just social policy.
Here is a brief video of some of the successes that EBC and other IAF chapters have had in the New York metro area: