HOPE is a multi-issue, grassroots community organization consisting of multicultural and interfaith member congregations who unite to achieve needed systemic change in Hillsborough County, FL. HOPE is a private, non-profit, 501(c) 3, tax-exempt, non-partisan community organization founded and incorporated in the State of Florida in 1988. HOPE's mission is to promote justice, fairness, and the dign
ity of people, by engaging and training people to responsibly and successfully act together to hold officials accountable to improve the systems affecting the quality of life in our communities. We do that by listening to our members and neighbors to identify common community problems, researching long-term solutions, and then publicly engaging decision-makers for commitments to implement those solutions. HOPE is funded in three ways: 1) Membership Dues from member organizations; 2) Investments from individuals, small businesses, and local corporations; and 3) Grants. We do not accept United Way or Government funds. In the tradition of Prophet Nehemiah, HOPE members listen to hear the cries of the people. We get emotionally angry, concerned and stirred up about what we hear. We then meet to plan and research prioritized problems and identify potential solutions. A large public meeting, the "Nehemiah Action", is then called to engage decision makers face-to-face with the community to implement the long-term solutions in the systems that can tackle the problems and secure a greater degree of justice and fairness in Hillsborough County.
