View Larger Map

* 23 organizations in the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Louisiana, California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico
* 16 organizations in the northeastern cities and counties between Boston and Washington and in the Midwest in Illinois and Wisconsin.
* 8 organizations in the south and near south and in the northwest, in Oregon and Washington
* 4 international affiliates in Canada, England, Germany, and Australia.

The current generation of IAF organizations began in the mid-1970's and was the product of the insight and effort of the person who succeeded Saul Alinsky as executive director of the IAF, Edward T. Chambers. The first three modern IAF groups were the Communities Organized for Public Service (COPS), in San Antonio, Texas; Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD), in Maryland; and the Queens Citizens Organization (QCO), in New York.

Mr. Chambers retired in January 2010 as Executive Director. The four Co- Directors of IAF- Mr. Cortes and Mr. Gecan in 2010, and Sr. Stephens and Mr. Graf in 2011- assumed those responsibilities.

The social center of gravity is located among the poor, working poor, and working class congregations, communities, and associations in these areas. The racial make up of IAF groups varies dramatically from city to city and region to region, reflecting the mix of people in each locale. Middle and upper-middle class institutions participate as full and equal partners in many IAF groups, bringing their own talents, energies, and concerns.

IAF National Office
637 S. Dearborn St. 1st fl.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312)360-9211- phone
(312)360-9744- fax


IAF Board of Trustees
Marvin Wurth, President
Thomas J. Boodell, Jr., Treasurer
Georgianna Gleason, Secretary
Rev. Johnny Ray Youngblood
Bishop Joel N. Martinez
Yvonne Mariajimenez
Edward T. Chambers
Ernesto Cortes
Michael Gecan
Arnold Graf
Sr. Christine Stephens
Margaret McKenzie


IAF Co Directors
Ernesto Cortes Jr.
Michael Gecan
Arnold Graf
Sr. Christine Stephens