Author Archives: Meredith Bird

Business and Democracy Initiative – Leadership Now Project

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Leadership Now Project
Amount: $125,000 in 2022

What is the Leadership Now Project?

Leadership Now Project is a membership organization of business and thought leaders taking action to protect and renew American democracy. The organization is committed to ensuring the United States has a strong democracy and economy by focusing on meaningful research and education, operational excellence, and member value to drive results.

Why do we think this project is important?

The Leadership Now Project works to shift business’ engagement with our democracy to one that consistently strengthens our system. In 2022, the organization worked to create robust and meaningful coalitions of business leaders across the country focused on democracy.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting the Leadership Now Project?

In 2022, Democracy Fund Voice approved a one-year grant of $125,000 to Leadership Now Project to support the Business and Democracy Initiative. Previously in 2021, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $100,000 to the Leadership Now Project.

All Voting is Local Action

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Type of Activity: General Operating Support
Grantee: All Voting is Local Action
Amount: $500,000 in 2023 over two years

What is All Voting is Local Action?

All Voting is Local Action (AVL Action) is a 501(c)(4) independent organization whose mission is to fight for policies and legislative priorities that expand voter access. Their nonpartisan work on the ground holds accountable those elected officials who seek to suppress the voices of Black, Brown, Native American, and other historically disenfranchised voters. They work to call out bad-faith actors who seek to use their power to deny the will of the people through partisan efforts to throw out election results.

Why do we think this work is important?

AVL Action defends and advances state and local election and voting policies that eliminate barriers to voting for historically disenfranchised communities – not just in election years, but every year. AVL Action’s year-round focus on election administration and pro-voter reforms, combined with its deep partnerships with both national and in-state groups, ensure it has the expertise, relationships, and resources to hold officials accountable to the communities they serve. AVL Action plays a key coordinating role between national and state coalition partners to prepare for potential threats to election administration and combat voter suppression efforts.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting All Voting is Local Action?

In 2023, a new grant was approved for $500,000 over two years to All Voting is Local Action.

In 2021, Democracy Fund Voice approved a two-year project grant of $250,000 to All Voting is Local Action.

Fair Representation in Redistricting Action Fund

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Fair Representation in Redistricting Action Fund
Amount: Updated to $1,150,000 in 2022

What is the Fair Representation in Redistricting Action Fund?  

A fiscally sponsored project of the North Fund, the Fair Representation in Redistricting (FRR) Action Fund is a 501c4 fund aimed at ensuring that redistricting processes are transparent and include public input, particularly among underrepresented people; that states use total population when drawing districts; and that states place racial equity and communities of interest as priorities when drawing districts.

Why do we think this project is important?

Securing fair and equitable representation for all people is central to an effective democracy, and redistricting shapes communities’ political representation for the decade ahead. The extent to which people are fairly represented in Congress, their state legislatures, and their locality profoundly influences policies and resources affecting education, health care, economic development, infrastructure, the environment, and other areas.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting Fair Representation in Redistricting Action Fund?

In 2022 an amendment was approved to increase the amount of the grant by $150,000 for a total of $1,150,000 with an extension of the grant period to July 31, 2023. Previously, in 2021, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $1,000,000 to the Fair Representation in Redistricting Action Fund.

Business & Democracy Initiative

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Black Economic Alliance
Amount: $200,000 in 2023 over two years

What is the Black Economic Alliance?

Black Economic Alliance is a nonpartisan alliance of Black business leaders and allies focused on driving economic progress for the Black community through public policy, advocacy, and engagement with government and business leaders. The organization leverages local business relationships to support pro-democracy efforts and encourages corporate leaders to use their resources and influence to bolster civic engagement in their communities.

Why do we think this project is important?

Democracy Fund Voice supports the Black Economic Alliance’s work with the Business & Democracy Initiative, a partnership between Leadership Now, Public Private Strategies and the Black Economic Alliance. The partnership mobilizes business leaders committed to protecting American elections and rebuilding trust in democratic institutions. They engage stakeholders across all levels of business to protect voting rights and advocate for reforms that strengthen institutions. They believe that a strong American democracy is the cornerstone of a dynamic and inclusive American economy.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting the Black Economic Alliance?

In 2023, Democracy Fund Voice approved a two-year grant of $200,000 to Black Economic Alliance to support their Business & Democracy Initiative.

In 2021, Democracy Fund Voice approved a one-year grant of $100,000 to support Black Economic Alliance’s work to create  greater awareness and involvement of black corporate leaders in advocating for voting rights issues. In 2022 the grant was extended by six months.

 

The Center for Christianity and Public Life

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: The Center for Christianity and Public Life
Amount:  $25,000 in 2021

What is the Center for Christianity and Public Life?

The Center for Christianity and Public Life aims to develop Christian thought leadership and resources promoting pluralism, democracy, and the positive role of Christianity in public life and the common good.

Why do we think this project is important?

This grant supported the launch of the Center for Christianity and Public Life. The Center employs a multi-faceted approach to meet today’s challenges, which include toxic politics, a divided church, and a decline of confidence in Christianity as a public resource among both Christians and the general public. Through creative public interventions, and the cultivation of Christian leadership, the Center will raise the confidence of Christians and the broader public that Christianity continues to offer salient, essential contributions to the issues of our day. The nature of Christian influence in public life, and therefore our public life itself, will be healthier as a result.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting The Center for Christianity and Public Life?

In 2021, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $25,000 to The Center for Christianity and Public Life.

Tech Justice Action Fund

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Tech Justice Action Fund
Amount: $4,080,000 in 2021

What is the Tech Justice Action Fund?

Created in 2021, the Tech Justice Action Fund envisions an open, secure, and equitable internet space where free expression, economic opportunity, knowledge exchange, and civic engagement can thrive. The Tech Justice Action fund is a fiscally sponsored project of North Fund.

Why do we think this project is important?

With racial justice at its foundation, this joint fund mobilizes philanthropic resources to support a multiracial coalition addressing the well-documented ways Big Tech and social media platforms have harmed BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) communities.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting the Tech Justice Action Fund?

In 2021, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant to $4,080,000 to the Tech Justice Action Fund.

Platform Strategic Litigation Support

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Muslim Advocates
Amount: $300,000 in 2021

What is Muslim Advocates?

Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. It fights for American Muslims’ guaranteed rights through a multi-pronged set of strategies to effect social change: high-impact litigation, advocacy with federal officials, engaging and mobilizing communities and allies, and mounting public advocacy campaigns.

Why do we think this project is important?

This grant supported work that Muslim Advocates led to hold major social media platfroms accountable for their policies and practices regarding hate speech. We hope that this work will strategically force the industry to make meaningful changes to its policies and operations so that targeted communities are not endangered because of the rampant bigotry currently thriving on the platforms.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting Muslim Advocates?

In 2021, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $300,000 to Muslim Advocates.

Disinfo Defense League

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Media Democracy Action Fund
Amount: $350,000 in 2023 over three years

What is the Media Democracy Action Fund?

Media Democracy Action Fund, a fiscally sponsored project of the Sixteen Thirty Fund, is a catalyst for an open, secure, and equitable internet. It brings together diverse voices to design inclusive and responsible solutions that empower public interest advocates to create an environment where digital technologies and the internet have a long-term, positive impact on society.

Why do we think this project is important?

This grant supports the Disinfo Defense League, a distributed national network for Black and Brown community-based organizations that are disrupting disinformation campaigns deliberately targeting Black, Latinx, Asian American/Pacific Islander and other communities of color. It works across geography, generation, and gender to equip leaders, advocates and organizations with the tools, training and tactics needed to combat racialized disinformation. Disinfo Defense League also engages in narrative power building that provides messaging and frameworks to proactively contend with harmful disinformation and build the world our communities want and need.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting the Media Democracy Action Fund?

In 2023, Democracy Fund Voice approved a three-year grant of $350,000 to the Media Democracy Action Fund to support their Disinfo Defense League project.

In 2021, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $100,000 to the Media Democracy Action Fund. In 2022, two amendments were approved to increase the amount of the grant. The first provided an additional $250,000 for a total of $350,000; the second amendment provided an additional $150,000 for a total of $500,000, and extended the grant period through May 2023.

Anti-Discrimination NDAs

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Media Democracy Action Fund
Amount:  $170,000 in 2021

What is Media Democracy Action Fund?

Media Democracy Action Fund is a catalyst for an open, secure, and equitable internet. It brings together diverse voices to design inclusive and responsible solutions that empower public interest advocates to create an environment where digital technologies and the internet have a long-term, positive impact on society. It is a fiscally sponsored project of Sixteen Thirty Fund.

Why do we think this project is important? 

This grant supported Media Democracy Action Fund’s efforts to advocate against the discriminatory use of non-disclosure agreements by digital media platforms in the United States.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting Media Democracy Action Fund? 

In 2021, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $170,000 to the Media Democracy Action Fund.

Trusting News

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Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Trusting News
Amount: $100,000 in 2021

What is Trusting News?

Trusting News trains and empowers journalists to actively earn trust and demonstrate their credibility. Joy Mayer founded Trusting News after working almost twenty years as a journalist. She continues to work as a consultant, trainer, and professor and runs Mayer Media Strategy LLC, which provides financial support to the Trusting News Project.

In a continual cycle of research, learning and sharing with the industry, Trusting News explores how to incorporate trust-building into journalism’s standards and practices.

Why do we think this project is important?

This grant supported Trusting News’ work to understand the causes of mistrust in news, develop strategies to build trust, and empower journalists to take responsibility for actively demonstrating credibility and earning trust. Their aspiration is that any newsroom that stands behind its mission and ethics should have access to support as they optimize for trust. This project focused on building capacity to reach more journalists with training, and partnering with researchers to collect evidence of success.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting Trusting News?

In 2021, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $100,000 to Mayer Media Strategy LLC in support of the Trusting News Project.