Democracy Alliance
OVERVIEW: Democracy Alliance is a network of progressive donors that coordinates support for progressive policy, media, and civic engagement in the United States.
IP TAKE: This progressive funder does not have an open application process, but it welcomes inquiries from groups seeking funding. Note that Democracy Alliance does not generally conduct its own grantmaking, but primarily serves to connect liberal donors with progressive nonprofits. Partner organizations include America Votes, American Constitution Society, Center for American Progress, Center for Popular Democracy, Demos, Economic Policy Institute, and Media Matters for America. It’s approachable, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
PROFILE: Democracy Alliance was established in 2005 by a small group of liberal donors, including George Soros, Peter B. Lewis, Tim Gill, and Rob Stein, who is credited with inspiring the group’s formation with his presentation, “The Conservative Message Machine Money Matrix.” The group has since grown into the nation’s largest network of liberal political donors, working to “advance progressive values by building community and collaboration within the movement.” Its overall goals are to “build and support a fair democracy, an inclusive economy, a safe and sustainable planet, and an equitable and just nation.”
Grants for Civic Engagement and Democracy
Democracy Alliance’s main feature is its Investment Portfolio of “high-impact, progressive organizations that generate bold policy ideas, drive progressive messages, organize key constituencies, and support the next generation of leaders.” The portfolio consists of organizations working across a range of causes, such as voting rights, voter engagement, economic opportunity, financial reform, criminal justice reform, government transparency, government accountability, civil rights, civil liberties, free press, and truth in media.
Democracy Alliance’s most recent initiative is Defending Democracy, which supports “resistance organizations,” defined as those that are “working on the front lines to defend democratic values, institutions, and norms from the assaults and transform an organic grassroots movement into an electoral force.”
Important Grant Details:
Democracy Alliance does not accept requests for funding, but grantseekers interested in joining its investment portfolio may submit a Letter of Inquiry through its online contact form.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
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