MOBILIZATION AT THE MARGINS - RESOURCES, BENEFACTORS, AND THE VIABILITY OF HOMELESS SOCIAL-MOVEMENT ORGANIZATIONS

For over two decades, resources have been assumed to be a fundamental determinant of the course and character of social movement organizatio ns (SMOs) and their activities. Yet surprisingly little research evalu ates this taken-for-granted assumption. Using data from ethnographic f ieldwork on 15 homeless SMOs in eight U.S. cities, we construct an emp irically grounded typology of resources and assess the combinations of resources necessary for the viability of homeless SMOs. We then exami ne the sources of support for these organizations, highlighting the in fluence of benefactor organizations on SMO viability and tactics. Empl oying qualitative comparative analysis, we identify three resource con figurations among the viable SMOs and find that certain resource types contributed more than others to viability. Support from benefactors a lso ensured viability of these organizations without moderating their tactics. We explain the implications of these findings for understandi ng the roles that resources and sponsorship or patronage play in the c areers of SMOs and the relevance of resources, sponsorship, and organi zation to social movements of the poor.