cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/6978975
A new nonprofit aims to harness the grassroots momentum of Zohran Mamdani’s successful mayoral campaign as he takes office, following a similar path to Mayor Bill de Blasio that sparked corruption investigations and criticism from good government groups.
More than 650 people joined the first hour-long “mass call” Thursday night for Our Time, which is classified as a tax-exempt 501c4 social welfare organization. While technically separate from Mamdani and his incoming administration, the group can fundraise and lobby for his policies. Our Time plans to launch a round of campaign-style door-knocking next weekend to build support for Mamdani’s campaign promises, starting with universal child care.
“ Our mission at Our Time is to continue to grow the movement that we began building so that we can win, implement and defend the affordability agenda,” Jeremy Freeman, the new executive director told participants on the call, which was available in English, Spanish and Bangla.
The use of nonprofits to support mayoral issues is not new in New York City. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg also utilized a nonprofit, the Mayor’s Fund, to promote the public-private partnerships central to his agenda.
Our Time is more reminiscent of de Blasio’s Campaign for One New York, which became embroiled in protracted state and federal investigations over the role the mayor played in its fundraising.
While prosecutors never charged anyone from the de Blasio administration with wrongdoing, both the Southern District of New York and Manhattan district attorney’s offices issued memos admonishing the de Blasio administration for his fundraising practices and for soliciting donations from people with business before the city seeking favorable treatment.
Our Time organizers — all of whom are former Mamdani campaign volunteers -- said they are studying those previous efforts to avoid pitfalls.