The Poor People's Corporation (PPC) was established as a non-profit corporation to give financial and technical aid to low income groups who want to start cooperatives or other self-help programs. The corporation grew out of Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) activities in Mississippi. On July 20, 1965, it was incorporated in New Jersey with former SNCC worker, Jesse Morris, as its coordinator.
The central organization was charged with securing funds, technical assistance, and sites, informing low income citizens of the corporation's activities, and overseeing the progress of individual co-ops. At first Jesse Morris was the sole paid staff member, whose salary was provided by SNCC. Other funding was raised by solicitation and by application for federal and local grants.
Cooperatives devoted largely to sewing and leather work were organized in Mississippi. Liberty House, with branches in Jackson, Mississippi and New York, was established as a wholesale co-op to resell the finished products of the other Mississippi co-ops.
