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- Major foundations shift to year-round democracy funding
- Nonprofits receive sustainable support beyond election cycles
- New funding models emerge for continuous civic engagement
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Quick Brief
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Essential Context
Leading democracy funders are revolutionizing their approach by providing sustained support to civic engagement organizations throughout the year, not just during election seasons. This shift reflects growing recognition that democratic participation requires continuous investment.
Core Players
- Tides Foundation – Major democracy funder
- Democracy Fund – Strategic grant maker
- ACLU – Civic rights organization
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund – Advocacy group
Key Numbers
- $425M – Democracy Fund grants since 2014
- $5.7M – Tides Foundation Ohio ballot measure support
- 11 – Southern states receiving dedicated funding
- 55.7% – 2016 U.S. voter turnout rate
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The Catalyst
Funders have recognized that election-cycle-only support creates gaps in civic engagement infrastructure. This realization has sparked a fundamental shift in funding strategies.
“Democracy needs constant nurturing, not just periodic attention,” states Beth Huang of the Tides Foundation.
Inside Forces
Organizations like ACLU and NAACP Legal Defense Fund require consistent resources to maintain voter education and rights protection programs.
Year-round funding enables staff retention, program continuity, and rapid response capabilities.
Power Dynamics
Major foundations are coordinating efforts to provide sustained support, preventing gaps between election cycles.
Grassroots organizations gain stability through predictable funding streams.
Outside Impact
Continuous civic engagement strengthens democratic institutions and increases voter participation rates.
Communities benefit from ongoing access to voting resources and education.
Future Forces
Emerging trends in democracy funding include:
- Multi-year grant commitments
- Early funding for primary elections
- Technology infrastructure support
- Capacity building investments
Data Points
- 2014: Launch of Democracy Fund’s sustained funding model
- 2024: Projected $1.2B in democracy funding
- 26th: U.S. rank in voter turnout among developed nations
- $4M: Multi-state ballot measure support from Tides
The transformation in democracy funding reflects a deeper understanding that civic engagement requires sustained investment. As this model proves successful, more funders are likely to adopt year-round support strategies.
