Latino Network Action Fund: Building Financial Foundations for Political Power

Latino Network Action Fund works to build independent political power with the Latine community across Oregon. While the organization's C4 was established in 2014, it operated with minimal capacity for years, supported by just 1.8 full-time equivalent staff compared to the 270-280 staff members working on the C3 side. The organization needed a focused strategy to develop sustainable revenue streams that could support their vision of creating statewide Latine infrastructure.

Overview

With a grant from Progressive Multiplier, Latino Network Action Fund developed a comprehensive approach to independent revenue generation that included building a monthly donor program called "Campeones Comunitarios," hosting large-scale fundraising events, and integrating messaging across their C3 and C4 entities. The project helped establish foundational processes and capacity for C4 fundraising while demonstrating that event-based revenue could significantly exceed initial projections. This work positioned the organization to expand beyond education-focused work into sustained political engagement.

Key Strategies & Tactics 

Lessons Learned

Build Separate C4 Audiences

The team learned that converting C3 donors focused on education to C4 political work proved more difficult than anticipated. Many existing supporters didn't naturally transition to supporting political advocacy, requiring the organization to develop dedicated outreach to audiences who already understood the value of political power-building.

Prioritize Proven Channels

Data showed that large events consistently outperformed small house parties. Rather than spreading resources thin, the organization concentrated on what worked, building on the success of gatherings that generated community buzz and attracted new supporters through word of mouth.

Invest in Foundational Infrastructure

Progressive Multiplier's coaching support proved especially valuable during the foundational first year, helping navigate complex questions about C3/C4 operations and resource allocation. The external expertise provided validation and guidance that the small C4 team needed to build sustainable systems.

Address Donor Fatigue Strategically

Sharing a donor list between C3 and C4 entities through a cost-sharing agreement led to supporters receiving too many invitations. The organization recognized the need to develop distinct audiences for each entity to avoid overwhelming their base.

By the Numbers

Impact

This work laid essential groundwork for Latino Network Action Fund's long-term vision of creating statewide Latine political infrastructure in Oregon. By establishing processes for C4 fundraising and proving that event-based revenue could exceed projections, the organization created a foundation for financial independence. The team's first lobby day, which brought together 80-100 participants, demonstrated their growing capacity to mobilize community members around political priorities. Their success with union partnerships opened new pathways for resource development while strengthening relationships with key allies in the labor movement. The organization's acceptance into the Willamette Week Give Guide campaign after multiple years of applications signals growing recognition and opportunity for donor base expansion. Most importantly, the focused attention on C4 development helped the team build intentionality around their political work at a time when Oregon's progressive infrastructure needed strengthening. As one team member noted, they're in a building phase now and optimistic about where they'll be in three to five years, when the foundations established through this work will support significant impact across the state.