{"value"=>"<p>Administrative procedures, planning documents and reports, public relations files, financial records, directors' and staff files constitute this series which covers nearly two decades of IFCO's history. The executive director's reports for the years 1970, 1971, and 1974 only are available in the collection. The 1970 report refers to the loss of funding from the Board of National Ministers of the Presbyterian Church (U. S.), and an update on the Michigan-Ohio Community Organization Council and economic development programs. Most of Walker's 1971 report describes the organization's financial difficulties as a result of the controversial National Black Economic Development Conference. Similarly, the 1974 report discusses the impact of the reduction in funding for IFCO's programs and projects. Walker's correspondence with church representatives in the U. S. and Africa, elected officials, and individuals with black organizations, and his fund raising activities sheds some insight into his role as an administrator. Likewise, his speech, \"A Case for Reparations to Black America\", a response to James Foreman's Black Manifesto in which he analyzed Foreman's demands, reveals his skill as a mediator.</p> <p>Also included are manuals developed to provide guidance for the review of proposals and the provision of technical assistance to grassroots and community organizations. The planning document, \"Concept Design for IFCO's Second Five Years, 1973\", featured the new international emphasis in the grant making program, highlights of IFCO's training agenda, and programs and projects such as regional offices, an economic development agency, and the national organizers conference.</p> <p>Due to a relatively brief tenure as IFCO's executive director, Ann Douglas' files are not as extensive as Walker's. However, in her files can be found documentation for the beginnings of two of IFCO's major program initiatives: a proposal to the Charles E. Merrill Foundation requesting funding for technical assistance to grassroots and community organizations, and correspondence concerning the creation of local Black United Funds as conceived by IFCO. Staff files, arranged alphabetically by last name of the staff member, are not always substantive and, thus do not reflect the extent of the staff member's responsibilities. Marilyn Clement's (Assistant Executive Director) files, from 1971 to 1974, indicate that she was responsible for public relations, proposal writing, providing technical assistance to grant applicants, and for arranging the National Organizers Conference, however, her files do not document the full scope of these activities. Similarly, the files for the Associate Director from 1968 to 1969, Louis Gothard, contains sparse and scattered documentation. Typical of other staff files found in the collection, is the file for Ray Santiago, Program Analyst, 1973-1974, which consists of a few items related to his field trips.</p> <p>Included in this series are FBI files on the National Council of Churches (NCC) and the National Black Economic Development Conference (NBEDC), which were acquired through the Freedom of Information Act. IFCO had become a target of COINTELPRO following the delivery of the controversial Black Manifesto at the NBEDC. The files contain letters to J. Edgar Hoover, then Director of the FBI, seeking information regarding the possibility of subversive activities by the NCC, and Hoover's responses.</p>"}