Strengthening Democracy: Resources for Philanthropic Impact

Philanthropy exists to advance the well-being of people. In the United States, few things ensure this more than a well-functioning democracy built by and for the people. From our children’s education to fair wages and access to medical care, whose voices are heard determines how lives are uplifted or challenged. Philanthropy can help ensure that millions in our communities have a way to make their voices heard and have influence in elections and other civic spaces.

Grants, investments, and advocacy by donors and foundations have the power to greatly impact equity in democratic institutions.  In recent years, we have seen votes suppressed, education endangered, and medical care denied. Now is the time to support organizations fighting to preserve democratic institutions and protect our communities.

If you care deeply about youth, think about who decides how school districts allocate resources. If you are passionate about immigration, consider which groups influence federal policy. If homelessness is your cause, consider how housing policy is formed. Whether through supporting voter’s rights, independent journalism, or the right to assemble, philanthropy plays a vital role in ensuring the government’s decisions are informed by accurate information and the voice of the people.  

If you’re ready to get engaged, keep reading for a few ways to learn more. Also, watch for our voter education and engagement guide, launching in September, to learn more about voter education, election dos and don’ts, funding recommendations, and more.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS 

• Democracy Funders Network: Preparing for Authoritarianism: Implications for Funders. Tuesday, August 13th 10am-11am.  

• Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees: Funder Briefing on Calfornia Local Voting Coalition. Thursday, August 29th 11am-12pm. 

 

ARTICLES AND RESOURCES 

• Bolder Advocacy toolkit 
  • For nonprofits or those that serve nonprofits, Bolder Advocacy, a project of the Alliance for Justice, has numerous toolkits that simplify how to engage in and support advocacy. 
• Legal Guidelines to Inform Your Voter Engagement Programming
  • This article provides information on how funders can engage in elections. 
• The power of collaborative philanthropy: Giving together to strengthen American democracy. 
  • This research brief centers on the importance of our American democracy, the role of philanthropy in this space, and the power of collaborative giving. The brief was authored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Funders Committee for Civic Participation, and The Bridgespan Group 
• Funder collaboratives are key to a vibrant, just, and inclusive democracy.
  • Based on the above brief (“The power of collaborative philanthropy”), this article illustrates how funder collaboratives can be leveraged to strengthen our democracy by investing in frontline communities, civic engagement, and efforts to fight disinformation.   
• Love Is the Key to Democracy. 
  • PolicyLink CEO Michael McAfee writes about the power of transformative love and its necessity in creating the democracy we are fighting for, one where “We, the People” truly means for all people and centers our most marginalized communities. 

 

ORGANIZATIONS TO FOLLOW AND ENGAGE WITH

• ABFE 
• Alliance for Justice/Bolder Advocacy 
• CFLeads
• Democracy Funders Network 
• Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation 
• Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees 
• Grantmakers for Effective Organizations 
• Media Impact Funders 
• Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement 
• Philanthropy for Voter Engagement 
• PIVOT Fund 
• Proteus Fund – Rights, Faith, and Democracy Collaborative 
• Solidaire Network 
• Tides – Healthy Democracy Fund