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.

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.

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.

Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Save Voting Action Fund
Amount: $4,050,000 in 2020

What is the Safe Voting Action Fund?

The Safe Voting Action Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of Sixteen Thirty Fund. Safe Voting Action Fund supported federal and state advocacy efforts to implement election reforms that prioritized health, safety, and accessibility in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why do we think this project is important?

COVID-19 necessitated unprecedented changes to election administration in 2020. It was critical to ensure that voting was safe and accessible for eligible voters across the country. Safe in-person and early voting options, as well as increased vote-by-mail, were key ways to safeguard voting access during the pandemic. The Safe Voting Action Fund supported efforts to promote these policy changes and to ensure that they were implemented effectively.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting the Safe Voting Action Fund?

In 2020, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $4,050,000 to the Safe Voting Action Fund.

Type of Activity: General Operating Support
Grantee: New Florida Majority
Amount: $250,000 in 2020 over 18 months

What is the New Florida Majority?

The New Florida Majority is an independent political organization working to increase the voting and political power of marginalized and excluded constituencies in Florida.

Why do we think this organization is important?

The New Florida Majority is a multiracial, racial justice political organization working to train grassroots citizens to be leaders, mobilize communities to vote, educate the public to share their values, and inspire Floridians to take action toward their dreams. New Florida Majority actively works to be a force of progressive change in Florida. Their work seeks to educate and activate Black voters and communities of color that are too often ignored in the political process. They are committed to the expansion of Florida’s electorate, especially for communities of color, increasing turnout for voters of color, and protecting the electorate against voter suppression tactics.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting the New Florida Majority?

In 2020, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $250,000 over 18 months to the New Florida Majority.

Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Fight Back Table Action
Amount: $475,000 in 2020

What is the Fight Back Table Action?

Fight Back Table Action (FBT), a fiscally sponsored project of Tides Advocacy, is a multi-racial movement coalition of civil rights organizations, activist networks, and organizing networks. The Democracy Defense Coalition, a project of Fight Back Table Action, coordinated advocacy and communications work done to prepare voters for an unprecedented election, expose voter suppression efforts, and ensure officials commit to counting every vote.

Why do we think this project is important?

Fight Back Table Action’s scenario planning allowed coalition partners to engage their members in strategy development and preparation for various contested election scenarios. With the unpredictable consequences of COVID-19 affecting voting, in addition to the misinformation and disinformation circulated among popular sources of information, and regular voter suppression tactics, there was a very real need to prepare for potential violence or voter intimidation aimed at communities of color on Election Day. Fight Back Table Action worked with other organizations to coordinate analysis and planning across organizing networks, major institutional actors, activist networks, and civil rights groups.

These networks offered critical national leadership voices, a wide range of relationships, millions of willing volunteers, and authentic connections to leading state organizations, particularly in the communities of color most affected by an election crisis.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting Fight Back Table Action?

In 2020, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $475,000 to Fight Back Table Action.  

Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Collective Future
Amount: $125,000 in 2020

What is Collective Future?

Collective Future is a 501c4 with a mission to increase civic engagement and political representation of Black communities. Collective Future takes direct action to ensure that equity and justice are represented in the democratic process so that Black political power is real and America delivers on its promise.

Why do we think this project is important?

Collective Future’s 2020 Vote to Live Engagement Program worked to address and amend challenges associated with low voter turnout across Black communities. Through their 2020 Vote To Live campaign, Collective Future engaged Black voters during the 2020 election with strategic outreach to historically Black colleges and universities, sororities/fraternities, and faith communities, as well as conducted a first-of-its-kind voter engagement program utilizing cultural artists and influencers to gamify civic engagement.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting Collective Future?

In 2020, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $125,000 to Collective Future.

What is the Arizona Advocacy Network?

Arizona Advocacy Network (AZAN) works to build a truly representative political system in which all Arizonans make their voices heard. They believe the cornerstones of such a democracy include meaningful voting rights and fair access to the ballot, political decisions that are driven by voters instead of by financial influence, and a fair and independent judiciary. To make this vision a reality, AZAN builds strong pro-democracy coalitions, educates the public about the state of our democracy and what can be done to strengthen it, and advocates to policymakers for reform.

Why do we think this organization is important?

AZAN focuses on voting rights, money in politics, and fair courts. They work with partner organizations, legislators, election officials, and other key stakeholders to strengthen voting and elections in Arizona. They are fighting back against voter suppression tactics and advocating to modernize outdated election rules that keep citizens from voting. AZAN plays an important role in advocating for policy change that results more robust election administration, increased civic engagement, and more accessible elections, which Democracy Fund Voice believes are critical to a healthy democracy.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting Arizona Advocacy Network?

In 2020, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $150,000 to Arizona Advocacy Network.

Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Trusted Elections Action Fund
Amount: $3,000,000 in 2023 over two years

What is the Trusted Elections Action Fund?

A fiscally sponsored project of Sixteen Thirty Fund, Trusted Elections Action Fund is a pooled fund that provides resources to organizations working to strengthen the integrity of the U.S. election system through messaging development, grassroots mobilization, litigation, and advocacy.

Why do we think this project is important?

The Trusted Elections Action Fund (TEAF) supports preparations for, and responses to, high-risk threats to the integrity of U.S. elections by directing rapid-response funds to organizations best positioned to mitigate potential risks. TEAF leverages its field-wide view to bring groups together, share ideas, identify programmatic gaps, and guarantee that a diverse range of voices have a seat at the table.

TEAF is also connecting traditional issue area silos — from election administration to grassroots organizing — with cross-portfolio approaches.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting Trusted Elections Action Fund?

In 2023, Democracy Fund Voice approved a two-year grant of $3,000,000 to Trusted Elections Action Fund.

In 2022, Democracy Fund Voice approved a one-year grant of $2,288,000 to Trusted Elections Action Fund.

In 2020, Democracy Fund Voice approved a grant of $1,680,000 to the Trusted Elections Action Fund. In 2021 an amendment was approved to increase the amount of the grant by $500,000 for a total of $2,180,000.

Type of Activity: Project
Grantee: Public Citizen
Amount: Updated to $1,275,000 in 2022

What is Public Citizen?

Public Citizen is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that works to address the growing power gap between everyday people and concentrated power in the hands of corporate and government actors. They approach this issue through a combination of congressional advocacy, litigation, research, and grassroots advocacy.

Why do we think this project is important?

Public Citizen is a key leader in a diverse coalition of groups working to secure our elections. This grant supported the coalition’s efforts to advance election security reforms and ensure appropriate resources for states to improve their election security posture.

The Election Security and Resiliency project coordinated coalition advocacy and built grassroots political power in support of election funding. Public Citizen recruited new strategic voices into coalition and lobbying meetings, provided forums for groups to learn and get invested, and provided materials to allow new coalition partners to engage. Methods utilized included virtual townhalls, drive-ins, petitions, letters to the editor, in-district lobbying, and days of action with coordinated email blasts, social media, and calls.

Public Citizen also reached out to local Republican officials to call on Congress for additional elections funding. In addition to support for additional funding, this project supported states in expanding vote by mail, early voting processes, and security best practices. By insisting on the ability of election officials to use the funds to follow best practices that are appropriate to each state, major strides were made to protect voters from hacks, errors, and COVID-19 in 2020, while making elections more resilient and accessible for years to come.

How is Democracy Fund Voice supporting Public Citizen?

In 2022 two amendments were approved to increase the amount of the grant by $50,000 and by $550,000 for a total of $1,275,000, with an extension of the grant period through June 2023.

In 2020, Democracy Fund Voice approved a two-year grant of $125,000 to Public Citizen. In 2021 an amendment was approved to increase the amount of the grant by $550,000 for a total of $675,000.