Author Archives: democracyfundvoice

Advocacy for Good Governance

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Bipartisan Policy Center Advocacy Network, Inc.
Amount: $415,000 in 2017 over two years. $150,000 in 2016.

What is the Commission on Political Reform?

The Commission on Political Reform was launched by the sister organization of the Bipartisan Policy Center Advocacy Network (the Bipartisan Policy Center) in 2013 to investigate the causes and consequences of America’s partisan political divide and to advocate for specific reforms that will improve the political process in a polarized atmosphere. The Commission proposed 24 recommendations to strengthen the electoral process, the process by which Congress legislates and manages its own affairs, and the ability of Americans to plug into the nation’s civic life through public service.  These reforms and solutions, championed by both ends of the political spectrum, include reinvigorating the central role of the congressional committee and reestablishing bipartisan interpersonal contact.

Why do we think this project is important?

We believe that bringing together a coalition of organizations to support bipartisan political reform can increase the likelihood and the impact of those reforms. BPCAN is uniquely positioned to develop and implement a strategy for this work because of its powerful voice in congressional bipartisan policy. They will promote an ongoing conversation about how to overcome political divides and make our government work better.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting BPCAN?

In 2017, Democracy Fund Voice approved a two year grant of $415,000 to the Bipartisan Policy Center Advocacy Network to facilitate coordination with other organizations advocating for recommendations of the Commission on Political Reform and other congressional reforms. A previous grant of $150,000 was made in 2016.

“Show Up and Vote” Campaign

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Type of Activity: Project 
Grantee: Global Citizen
Amount: $325,000 in 2016

What is the “Show Up and Vote” Campaign?

Global Citizen is a social action platform for a global generation that wants to solve the world’s biggest challenges by learning about issues, taking action on what matters most, and joining a community committed to social change. Over the last five years, millions of global citizens around the world took six million actions to solve the world’s biggest challenges. In 2016, Global Citizen’s “Show Up and Vote” effort will focus on increasing voter registration and participation among younger Americans through a series of events and concerts with high-profile artists.

Why do we think this project is important?

Registration and participation among younger voters is historically low, and Democracy Fund Voice believes Global Citizen’s “Show Up and Vote” campaign is the kind of cultural effort that reaches and engages young people where they are — through concerts and events, and digital and social outreach.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting Global Citizen?

In 2016, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $325,000 to Global Citizen, which is managed by the Global Poverty Project, to support the “Show Up and Vote” Campaign.

Funny or Die’s “Everyone Votes”

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Type of Activity: Project 
Grantee: Unity of Purpose Project
Amount: $250,000 in 2016

What is Funny or Die’s “Everyone Votes”?

Funny or Die’s “Everyone Votes” project is a nonpartisan cultural campaign using humor and celebrity to engage young people in pledging, registering, and planning to vote.

Why do we think this project is important?

Democracy Fund Voice believes our politics are most robust when young people are engaged, and too often civic education fails to spur young voters to go to the ballot booth. Built on a popular and proven comedy website, “Everyone Votes” is well-positioned to reach and engage Millennials and eligible Gen Z voters who are often ignored by traditional politics.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting “Everyone Votes”?

In 2016, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $250,000 to the Unity of Purpose Project, the 501(c)4 arm of Funny or Die, for their “Everyone Votes” project to promote civic engagement in young adults through culturally relevant videos.

National Voter Registration Day

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Type of Activity: Project 
Grantee: National Voter Registration Day
Amount: $250,000 in 2016

What is National Voter Registration Day?

National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit effort to raise national awareness of voter registration deadlines in every election cycle. On September 27, 2016, NVRD will host hundreds of events in order to reach and register eligible Americans across the country.

Why do we think this project is important?

Democracy Fund Voice believes an engaged citizenry is central to a responsive republic, and our elections are at their strongest when more eligible voters punch their ballots. NVRD leverages an array of technology, partnerships, and culture to engage and register eligible Americans.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting the project?

In 2016, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $250,000 to National Voter Registration Day, administered by the Bus Federation Education Fund, for voter outreach and registration.

TurboVote Challenge

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Type of Activity: Project 
Grantee: Democracy Works
Amount: Up to $60,000 in 2016

What is the TurboVote Challenge?

The TurboVote Challenge is a project of Democracy Works, a 501(c)3 nonpartisan, nonprofit voter technology organization. The TurboVote Challenge brings leading corporations and organizations together in a long-term commitment to increase U.S. voter turnout to 80 percent over the next decade.

Why do we think the TurboVote Challenge is important?

Democracy Fund Voice believes technology and innovation offer new opportunities to increase engagement in our political systems. We also believe individuals, nonprofits, and business can be powerful partners in increasing participation. Through partnerships with major corporations such as Univision, Starbucks, and Spotify, the TurboVote Challenge has the potential to dramatic expand the reach of Democracy Works’ digital registration and reminder tools.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting the the TurboVote Challenge?

In 2016, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $60,000 to Democracy Works to provide the TurboVote Challenge with additional media and network support.

Vote.org’s Mobile Outreach Strategies

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Type of Activity: Project 
Grantee: Vote.org
Amount: $75,000 in 2016

What is Vote.org?

Vote.org is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that operates at the intersection of technology and democracy. The organization’s online tools – which allow registration, absentee ballots, and checking a voter’s status – leverage technology to help ensure Americans have the modern, responsive election system they deserve.

Why do we think this project is important?

Research suggests mobile outreach to eligible voters, combined with email outreach, can increase participation in elections. Vote.org’s efforts to expand the impact of their participation tools through additional outreach – and publish the results of their experiments – aligns with Democracy Fund Voice’s belief that strong voter turn out is best for our republic.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting the Vote.org?

In 2016, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $75,000 to Vote.org to support a civic engagement project that digitally provides registered voters with important logistical and scheduling voter information in the 2016 election.

NALEO Education Fund’s Voter Hotline

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: NALEO Education Fund
Amount: $150,000 in 2016

What is the NALEO Education Fund and its Voter Hotline?

The NALEO Education Fund is the nation’s leading 501(c)3 non-profit organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process, from citizenship to public service. NALEO Education Fund has operated 888-VE-Y-VOTA, the only year-round, live English/Spanish bilingual voter information and protection hotline in the nation, since 2004. The goal of the hotline is to demystify the voting process and help Latinos feel confident about casting a ballot.

Why do we think this project is important?

Democracy Fund Voice believes ensuring Americans from all walks of life can participate in our elections is key to our election system’s integrity. NALEO Education Fund’s nonpartisan outreach and provision of timely information on state election practices and procedures to Spanish speaking voters is one way to maintain confidence in the responsiveness of our political system.

How is  Democracy Fund Voice supporting NALEO Education Fund?

In 2016, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $150,000 to NALEO Education Fund to provide Spanish language resources to voters in the 2016 election.

Tow Center Terrorism and Media White Papers

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
Amount: $150,000 in 2016

What is the Tow Center?

The Tow Center operates as an institute within Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. It is poised to take advantage of a unique combination of factors to foster the development of digital journalism. This grant will explore the relationship between terrorism, policy, and all media.

Why do we think this project is a good idea?

We believe that the emerging dynamics of a media system which fosters real time coverage and responses are largely unexplored and are increasingly influential. This project will generate papers reporting on emerging practices and their relationship to the current elections cycle, and convene media industry decision-makers to discuss the findings. This aims to inform  pre-election discussion regarding reporting trends, and the effects of social media on the racist and/or Islamphobic rhetoric that has become prevalent.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting the Tow Center?

In 2016, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $150,000 to The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York to support the Tow Center within Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

Veterans Against Islamaphophia

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Human Rights First
Amount: $200,000 in 2016

What is Human Rights First?

Human Rights First is an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals. This grant will support HRF’s work to organize retired military leaders and other veterans to speak out against Islamophobia and promote the argument that anti-Muslim speech and policies are fundamentally un-American.

Why do we think this project is important?

We believe the United States is an inclusive nation and at its best when it embraces diversity and champions human rights. This project will address the recent rise in Islamophobia, xenophobia, and subsequent divisive rhetoric in the United States. Through its Veterans for American Ideals platform, Human Rights First is uniquely suited to engage retired military leaders and veterans to participate in this discourse and encourage meaningful change.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting Human Rights First?

In 2016, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $200,000 to Human Rights First.

Building Civic Resilience to Terrorism Project

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Type of Activity: Planning Grant
Grantee: New America Foundation
Amount: Up to $40,000 in 2016-2017

Type of Activity: Grant
Grantee: New America Foundation
Amount: Up to $115,000 in 2016-2017

What is the Building Civic Resilience to Terrorism Project?

This project will explore strategies to strengthen media responses and civic resiliency in the face of major shocks and disruptions.  More specifically, this project explores how official communications, social media, and news media can either incite or calm reactions to terrorism, and to identify best practices and pitfalls. As these strategies are determined, we hope that the research and knowledge gained will result in improvements to the public sphere, civil liberties, and improve our democracy. This grant is funded through the New America Foundation, a think tank and civic enterprise committed to renewing American politics, prosperity, and purpose in the Digital Age.

Why do we think this project is a good idea?

We believe the unprecedented tension in the current elections cycle and the recurring violent incidents at campaign events could speed the erosion of democratic institutions and intercultural partnership in the United States. In such a climate the occurrence of a terrorist attack would expedite this erosion. This project explores how official communications, social media, and news media can either incite or calm reactions to terrorism, and to identify best practices and pitfalls.

How is Voice supporting the project?

Democracy Fund Voice approved a twos grant to the New America Foundation in the amount of up to $155,000 in 2016-2017.