The Center for New Community (CNC) was a Chicago-based research and advocacy group that campaigned for permissive immigration policies at state and national levels while framing opposition to such policies as tied to organized bigotry, racism, and other reactionary forces. ^{1  2}

Background

Founded in 1995 by religious leaders and organizers, the Center for New Community described its mission as defeating “anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim hate” by tracking what it called organized “bigotry” and mobilizing partners for “justice, fairness, and opportunity.” It positioned its research and advocacy efforts as defending democracy by exposing what it claimed were architects of organized racism influencing policy debates, particularly on immigration. The group was active through at least the mid-2010s, ceasing activity on its website, social media accounts, and public financial reporting around 2017. ^{1  3  4}

Political Advocacy

The Center for New Community used strategic advocacy to promoted looser immigration policies, including reduced enforcement measures and promotion of policies like access to driver’s licenses and in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. It conducted investigative research on groups it claimed were promoting bigotry or nativism, produced publications exposing perceived racist influences on public policy, and engaged in advocacy to shape media, policymakers, and activists toward permissive immigration views. ¹

A key initiative was an early 2010s project with the National Immigration Law Center and Progressive States Action to advance pro-immigrant advocacy at the state level in Colorado and North Carolina. The project tested national-local collaboration models, providing technical assistance like communications training, opposition research, and policy support to build capacity among local groups; form alliances with business, labor, faith, and fiscal organizations; engage policymakers with economic data; and reframe discourse to favor pro-immigrant measures. ⁵

In Colorado, it contributed to policies such as in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants, and repeal of certain enforcement requirements. In North Carolina, it focused on defensive efforts to dilute or block restrictive bills. Tactics included low-profile lobbying to avoid opposition, grassroots mobilization of immigrants, and strategic communications emphasizing economic benefits and “trust and dignity” over direct confrontation. The evaluation noted framing challenges in hostile environments, and included some references to opposition driven by “racist and reactionary fears.” ⁵ Other activities included youth programs against perceived racism, grassroots work on immigrant worker health and nutrition, and cultural efforts through arts. ¹

Financials

In 2016, Center for New Community reported revenue of $445,758, expenses of $550,598, and assets of $824,691. In 2017, the organization reported revenue of $58,988, expenses of $535,497, and assets of $314,007 (with net assets at $283,219). The sharp drop in revenue and assets from 2016 to 2017, coupled with a net loss of $476,509 in 2017, reflected a significant decline in operations. The 2017 filing is the last available on public records, consistent with the organization’s listing as inactive in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Business Master File, suggesting a wind-down or cessation of activities after that period. ⁴

Funding

The organization received grants from private foundations such as a $200,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 2007 for efforts related to countering anti-immigrant positions in environmental contexts, plus additional Carnegie support in other periods for democracy-related work. It was a grantee in pro-immigrant collaborations and also provided subgrants in pilot programs. ^{6  5}

People

Terri Johnson worked as executive director of the Center for New Community from approximately 2015 to roughly 2018. She led the organization during its final active years and appeared in media discussing perceived organized racism and anti-Muslim initiatives. After leaving, she took roles in “equity and collective impact” work in Chicago, including at Enrich Chicago and as co-chair of Chicago United for Equity. ^{4  7  8  9}

Earlier leadership figures included Eric Ward (national field director, 2003-2011), Lindsay Schubiner (advocacy on anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim issues), Devin Burghart (research on anti-immigrant activity), and David Ostendorf (early leadership linking immigration-restrictionist views to bigotry). ^{3  10}

1. Center for New Community, “About,” archived December 20, 2017, https://web.archive.org/web/20171220231731/http://www.newcomm.org/about. 
2. TCC Group, Evaluation of a Pilot Project to Advance Pro-Immigrant Advocacy for Center for New Community, National Immigration Law Center, Progressive States Action, final report, March 31, 2014, https://search.issuelab.org/resources/21411/21411.pdf. 
3. GuideStar Profile for Center for New Community, EIN 36-4017728, https://www.guidestar.org/profile/36-4017728. 
4. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Center For New Community, EIN 36-4017728, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364017728. 
5. TCC Group, Evaluation of a Pilot Project to Advance Pro-Immigrant Advocacy, March 31, 2014, https://search.issuelab.org/resources/21411/21411.pdf.
6. Carnegie Corporation of New York Grants Database, https://www.carnegie.org/grants/grants-database/grantee/center-for-new-community/. 
7. Terri A. Johnson profile, Bold.pro, https://il.bold.pro/my/terri-ajohnson. 
8. Medill Reports Chicago, “Watchdog group on organized racism responds to Trump’s victory,” December 8, 2016, https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/watchdog-group-on-organized-racism-responds-to-trumps-victory. 
9. BBC News, “Trump’s ‘Muslim lockdown’: What is the Center for Security Policy?,” December 8, 2015, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35037943. 
10. Center for New Community, “Board & Staff,” archived December 15, 2017, https://web.archive.org/web/20171215012607/http://www.newcomm.org/about/staff.html.