Prior to President Johnson’s “War on Poverty,” North Carolina Governor Terry Sanford had already recognized the state’s troubles with poverty, illiteracy, low wages,and incomeinequality.In this lesson, students will learn about the North Carolina Fund, a series of experimental programs developed by Governor Sanford’s administration to address these challenges.Students will explore the North CarolinaFund’s components and its challenges and successes within the context of segregation and the fight for civil rights.Through the examinationof photographs, a Power Point presentation,and discussion, students will learnhow Governor Sanford’s innovative program –developed to be designed, administered, andoperated by local communities –changed life in North Carolina and became a model for other poverty legislation.As a culminating project, students will use what they have learned, coupled with their own creative thinking, to prepare and submit their own North CarolinaFund proposal for improving poverty in the fictional county of Tar Heel, North Carolina.

To access the accompanying PPT, click here.