Mike Milken, A Conversation with Badr Jafar

This article examines the crucial role of external funding, particularly from philanthropic foundations, in the activities of Mexican-American political organizations. It analyzes how organizations like the National Council of La Raza and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund relied significantly on funding from foundations such as the Ford Foundation. The paper explores the dynamics of donor-recipient relationships, discussing how philanthropic support, while enabling social movements, can also exert influence and shape organizational agendas. It contributes to understanding the financial infrastructure behind minority political activism.