Philadelphia Health Partnership’s Post

"While November marks the culmination of our nation’s election cycle, the work of educating and engaging voters must begin much earlier. In most jurisdictions, that schedule has been moving up as more and more places provide more choices for voters through things like vote by mail and early voting. For these reasons, over 100 philanthropic donors and advisors have signed on to the All by April Campaign to highlight the need for early support. We have pledged to make as many of our election-related grants by April as possible. We’re moving up disbursements of multi-year grants previously scheduled for later in the year and streamlining processes for grant approval and payment (especially for renewal grants)." We're grateful for the work of Democracy Fund and their All By April initiative! We've been thinking about this deeply as a team: - What does it mean to strengthen the democratic muscle in our communities before, during, and after the upcoming election? - How can we bring neighbors together year-round to create a felt sense of shared belonging in the places they live? - What does it look like to SUSTAIN participation in the democratic process in addition to voting? How can we resist the "boom and bust" cycle? We'd love to hear from other organizations about how they're thinking through these questions, too! https://lnkd.in/evy-z6cG

👋DYK? According to the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, the ROI of a dollar invested in #policy and civic engagement is 115%. So at this time of extreme political division in the US, why do some funders and #philanthropy overlook or shy away from effective tools for change—from awareness raising to lobbying to political campaigning? Our research suggests that #advocacy tools with different legal statuses—501(c)3 vs. 501(c)4 vs. 527—aren’t as fraught or complicated as they may seem. And the payoff for communities is huge. 📢 Here are nine ideas for how, when, and where to consider investing in advocacy efforts: 1. Support the full extent of 501(c)3 advocacy work, which includes efforts to educate the public and a limited amount of lobbying 2. Create the structure to fund 501(c)4 and 527 activities if you identify the need for unlimited lobbying (which 501(c) 4s can do) or political campaign work (which 527s can do) to reach your goals 3. Give through intermediary funding organizations and donor-advised funds as structured, efficient ways to fund across 501(c)3, 501(c)4, and 527 organizations 4. Give directly to 501(c)4s or 527s starting with organizations you know 5. Collaborate with funders and experts who share your goals to leverage collective action to make smarter investments 6. Consider opportunities to partner on issues, not along party lines as unlikely allies can increase the effectiveness of advocacy work 7. Fund at the regional level to accomplish your goals as opportunities abound for transformative impact with investment across the country at all levels of government 8. Look to organizations going beyond the norm of the highest profile elective offices to find decision-making power and to organizations that engage “low propensity” voters—disproportionately voters of color 9. Give early and stay the course so the organizations can plan beyond the ebb and flow of election cycle funding 🗣 Have you considered any of these approaches? Why or why not?

https://lnkd.in/e5b676Di Young Progressive candidates face systemic barriers. At every level of government, the average politician is older than the average American. Our political system is stacked against young people – in favor of those who are older, wealthier and white. In 2020, Millennial and Gen-Z individuals only held 21% of State Legislative seats despite representing 45% of the electorate. Leaders We Deserve is a grassroots organization dedicated to electing young progressives to Congress and State Legislatures across the country to help defeat the far-right agenda and advance a progressive vision for the future. CONSIDER DONATING

Yes, we are all busy and overwhelmed these days. But, as a nonprofit leader with subject matter expertise, your most strategic move is to participate - by answering the door and phone as issues are being discussed. The best time to educate a lawmaker is when they are a candidate. We are in another vital election year, and it is about to ramp up even more. Presidential election years raise the visibility of all races - from county commissioner to city council to state legislature to Congressional races. But this also causes nonprofits much angst and the inclination to retreat into their foxholes and not look up for six months. And I get it. Nonprofit organizations are explicitly prohibited from engaging in partisan politics—anything related to political parties, candidates, and electioneering. And while it may seem vast, partisan politics is very narrow. As long as nonprofits stay away from discussing specific candidates, political parties, or endorsing candidates, you are good. Seriously. This leaves a lot of room for nonprofits to engage in elections, especially to educate how policy changes can impact your mission. Read the full post at https://bit.ly/4bomR0F Want more posts on nonprofit strategy, racial equity, and leadership? Subscribe https://bit.ly/3qmL28Q

In a time when democracy faces unprecedented challenges, the State Infrastructure Fund is a beacon of hope, channeling donor dollars and optimism into safeguarding democratic processes across the United States. Our latest article on Inside Philanthropy explores how this fund is strategically mobilizing resources to support state-level initiatives that protect and strengthen democracy. #SarahHenry reports: How the State Infrastructure Fund is addressing threats to democracy Strategic initiatives supported by the fund at the state level The role of donor collaboration in driving impactful change Tagging The Overbrook Foundation CENTER FOR CIVIC POLICY John P. and Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation #DemocracyProtection #SocialImpact #StateInfrastructureFund #CivicEngagement #DemocraticResilience #DonorCollaboration #VotingRights #FairElections #DemocraticProcesses #PoliticalInfrastructure #DefendDemocracy #PhilanthropicImpact #InsidePhilanthropy #Philanthropy

In our current climate, the pursuit of racial equity has taken on greater urgency. Philanthropy has responded with increased financial commitments to dismantle systemic barriers and foster inclusivity. Amidst this, evaluators play a pivotal role. Effective evaluation is essential for nonprofit professionals striving for racial equity. Evaluators measure the impact of change efforts affecting children and families daily. They not only demonstrate impact but also drive tangible, lasting change. Their work informs decision-making, advocacy, resource allocation and continuous improvement, ensuring efforts are evidence-based, community-responsive, and impactful. To support evaluators in this critical work, we're proud to introduce the Practice Guide Series on Doing Evaluation in Service of Racial Equity: A Toolkit for Practitioners. Developed with Community Science, this toolkit equips evaluators with comprehensive guidance and innovative tools to navigate evaluation effectively through a racial equity lens. Learn more here: https://wkkf.co/vgds Huilan Krenn

🌟 Driving Systemic Change: Empowering Jacksonville Youth 🌟 As a nonprofit committed to empowering youth in Jacksonville, we at Jacksonville Youth Works are dedicated to driving systemic change and creating a more just and equitable community for all. Here’s how we're making a difference: 1. **Advocacy and Policy Change**: We're actively engaging policymakers to implement policies that address the root causes of social issues affecting our youth. 2. **Community Engagement**: We believe in the power of community. By raising awareness, building coalitions, and mobilizing resources, we're creating sustainable solutions together. 3. **Collaboration with Stakeholders**: Partnering with government agencies, businesses, schools, and other nonprofits allows us to leverage resources and expertise for maximum impact. 4. **Research and Data Analysis**: We're committed to understanding the underlying issues through research and data analysis, enabling us to develop evidence-based strategies. 5. **Capacity Building**: Empowering youth and communities through training and support enables them to advocate for their own needs and rights. 6. **Educational Programs**: Our educational programs promote social justice, equity, and civic engagement among youth, fostering a generation of informed and active citizens. 7. **Addressing Systemic Inequities**: We're working tirelessly to identify and address systemic inequities such as racism, poverty, and lack of access to education and healthcare, which disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Together, we can create a brighter future for Jacksonville's youth. Join us in driving meaningful change and building a more inclusive society for all. #SocialChange #YouthEmpowerment #JacksonvilleCommunity #SystemicChange

Yes, we are all busy and overwhelmed these days. But, as a nonprofit leader with subject matter expertise, your most strategic move is to participate - by answering the door and phone as issues are being discussed. The best time to educate a lawmaker is when they are a candidate. We are in another vital election year, and it is about to ramp up even more. Presidential election years raise the visibility of all races - from county commissioner to city council to state legislature to Congressional races. But this also causes nonprofits much angst and the inclination to retreat into their foxholes and not look up for six months. And I get it. Nonprofit organizations are explicitly prohibited from engaging in partisan politics—anything related to political parties, candidates, and electioneering. And while it may seem vast, partisan politics is very narrow. As long as nonprofits stay away from discussing specific candidates, political parties, or endorsing candidates, you are good. Seriously. This leaves a lot of room for nonprofits to engage in elections, especially to educate how policy changes can impact your mission. Read the full post at https://bit.ly/4bomR0F Want more posts on nonprofit strategy, racial equity, and leadership? Subscribe https://bit.ly/3qmL28Q

We can't say enough how important democracy work is to climate progress. In a piece for Inside Philanthropy this week, foundation leaders Cathy Cha and Ralph Lewin remind us that "the strength of democracy — whether at the local, state or national level — has huge impacts on the ability of all funders and our nonprofit partners to deliver results on any issue and for any community." We see the impact of lack of representation across the South, from city councils and state regulatory agencies that greenlight polluting industry at the expense of residents' health, to a rash of state-level voter suppression and anti-protest laws that make it ever harder for Black, Brown, and Indigenous people to be heard. Supporting fair elections, accessible public processes, and engaged and energized voters needs to be all of our business. https://lnkd.in/g-vPep6r

.'Target Majority NYC is one of the oldest & largest local Swing Left groups, now an Indivisible chapter, as well. We've been calling, knocking, writing, texting, and registering voters in swing districts all across the country, all the way back to March of 2017. Our mission & commitment: to find and run the highest-impact actions focused on tight but winnable races that are existential for our people, our democracy, and our planet. This year, we've already started working to flip back the NY House districts we just lost, especially NY01 & NY03. How? By working with in-district partners to register and turn out voters in local elections and asking Dems to commit to vote next year, and help 3 friends to get out and vote as well. We use self-addressed postcard that has been proven through research to lift turnout by margins that can win tight elections, even from this far in advance! Many of us are also volunteering with the Coalition to Replace Jay Jacobs, working to fix the NY Democratic Party ahead of next year's election. Other work this year: helping WisDems win control of the WI State Supreme Court! And next, to help VA hold the state house for Dems and prevent a vicious GOP trifecta in this crucial bellwether state. Some of our past achievements: In 2022 we stockpiled 175K Vote Forward letters, and traveled in person to register and turn out voters in 6 nearby swing districts in PA and NY. In '21, our team worked hard to change the national dialogue around fixing the filibuster in the effort to pass Voting Rights for transformative Racial Justice. Our Climate Working Group issues a monthly newsletter with actions each of us can take to stop the Climate Crisis. And we lead numerous trainings in everything from Birddoging Techniques to get your elected to answer your question on the record, to Deep Canvassing, to writing truly Personal Stories in our Vote Forward letters to better persuade swing voters, and more. You can help power our members to achieve even more with a donation to www.bit.ly/tmgiving. And join us!' https://lnkd.in/e6XZkVif #democracymatters