Civic Engagement
Progressive public policy change requires a citizenry that is not only fully informed, but motivated and mobilized to participate in the democratic processes by which policy-makers and leaders are selected. Public cynicism about government must be replaced with confidence that public institutions can be a positive force for helping ordinary people and advancing the common good. The Fund seeks initiatives to promote greater voter participation in the U.S., particularly at the national level, and to develop and advance new public policy solutions, through five strategies 1) Entering big ideas into the public debate through support of think tanks and research, 2) Supporting watchdogs and accountability for our leaders and civic institutions, 3) Building a movement that engages citizens based on progressive values, 4) Supporting grassroots leadership and coalitions, and 5) Civic mobilization including voter engagement and election protection.
AISJ / ACORN - $75,000
A general support grant for organizing around issues of economic justice and living wages, to promote broader civic participation by underrepresented constituencies in the democratic process.
Americans for Informed Democracy - 25,000
General support for issue education and voter engagement on college campuses through town hall meetings, leadership summits, original content development, and educational outreach around America’s place in the international community including on energy and environmental issues.
Center for Community Change - $75,000
To build and network grassroots organizations in traditionally underrepresented progressive communities through mobilization around elections and around issue campaigns with direct relevance to the economic interests and values of those communities.
Center for Economic Research and Social Change - $25,000
General support for national grassroots mobilizing around military recruitment in public high schools.
DEMOS - $75,000
General support for their “Election Reform and Voting Rights Program”, committed to the fundamental goal of lowering barriers to participation, eliminating unwarranted exclusions from the right to vote, and inviting every eligible voter into the process, and to support their broader research on public attitudes toward government.
Economic Policy Institute - $76,300
General support for economic and policy research, and public communications on working families issues, economic justice, and a analysis of the impacts of conservative economic policy.
Faith in Public Life Resource Center / CAP - $50,000
Support for organizing and capacity building among progressive faith networks to establish a moral voice of conscience on peace and economic justice issues in the national debate.
Global Exchange - $75,000
Support for their program of organizing on War, Peace, and Democracy, with special emphasis on the war in Iraq, and achieving freedom from oil.
Institute for America’s Future - $75,000
General support for the Apollo Alliance, a coalition of unions, environmental groups, and social justice organizations seeking to unify Americans around the opportunity to create new jobs and generate economic growth and social justice through the development of a clean energy future.
Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law - $50,000
Support for participation in national election protection coalitions, campaigns to oppose voter disenfranchisement, and original policy development to reform federal election law.
Midwest States Center - $25,000
Support for regional organizing for civic engagement to build an educated public which is engaged in the democratic process, and strengthen the infrastructure to support and advance a democratic movement for economic, social, racial and environmental justice.
Music for America Education Foundation - $75,000
General support for youth voter engagement, to support innovative practices for improving voter turnout among young voters through peer to peer outreach, technology, and cultural organizing.
National Religious Partnership for the Environment - $75,000
General support for an association of independent faith groups across a broad spectrum of denomination to promote collaborative work on educating public officials and mobilizing congregations for civic participation around progressive and environmental issues.
People for the American Way - $100,000
To support their national campaign for election protection and election law reform.
Progressive States Network / PLAN - $50,000
Core support for the development of a policy network to support state legislators and progressive activists with original policy solutions that promote economic justice and ecological integrity.
Project Vote - $50,000
Support for programs for large-scale voter registration and mobilization of low and moderate income and minority citizens, to broaden civic participation in the electoral process.
Public Health Institute - $80,000
In support of a strategic “Blue Green Alliance” between the Sierra Club and the United Steelworkers of America, to help forge a unified progressive public policy agenda through the efforts of the significant member bases of these two national organizations.
Redefining Progress - $30,000
Support for a convening of progressive think tanks to develop a coherent values based message and strategy capable of uniting progressive organizations across issues, and recognizing the historical and theoretical grounding in a concern for the common good.
Ruckus Society - $25,000
A grant for direct action, trainings, and capacity building for youth civic engagement around issues of oil and energy dependence, and their community and political influence.
U.S. Action Education Fund - $75,000
Core support to build and network grassroots organizations in traditionally underrepresented progressive communities through mobilization around elections and around issue campaigns with direct relevance to the economic interests and values of those communities.
Western States Center - $25,000
General support for regional capacity to build a movement for social, economic, racial and environmental justice in eight Western states.
Wisconsin Blueprint Project / Proteus Fund - $50,000
Support for the development of an integrated state based progressive infrastructure to strategically map and coordinate voter mobilization efforts among progressive organizations in Wisconsin.
Working for Good Jobs in America Fund - $60,000
Support for the AFL-CIO’s program or progressive civic engagement, grassroots community education, door-to-door canvassing, and other two way voter engagement on economic issues.
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