This week's Democracy Notes
Hey hey!
We hit a new record! 370 attendees at our “What’s on funders’ minds?” event!!
If you missed it, the vid is below and here are links to PACE and Democracy Fund’s surveys.
Also neat: Inside Philanthropy’s Mike Scutari wrote a 1,500 word piece on our Democracy Notes 2025 Trends report!
Here’s his piece, “As Threats Mount, A New Report Takes the Pulse of the Democracy Field.”
(And shoutout again to my co-authors, Samantha Owens, Andrew Doty, and Massarah Mikati!)
Democracy Notes 4/2
What’s happening in philanthropy:
($$$)
A new fiction prize focused on democracy futures?? Hell yes. Check out The Protopian Prize!
Submit your previously unpublished short stories of 500-6,000 words (by July 31st) for a chance to win $3K!
There are two categories: public AI and democratic futures.
Applications are open for the Knight Foundation’s “Knight Cities Challenge,” a $5M open call.
Projects must be focused on one of 25 “Knight Cities.”
Up to $200K per winner, 4/30 deadline.
Spotlight on foundation boards! This excellent 10-page brief from the Center for Effective Philanthropy unpacks survey research on the dynamics between foundation CEOs and their boards.
Some highlights:
84% of foundation CEOs report generally positive interactions with, and support from, their board.
BUT, two thirds also named ways that their boards could further contribute to the foundation’s impact, namely by:
Increasing payout, taking more risks, and developing a deeper understanding of what communities are facing.
Great coverage in Inside Philanthropy here!
Amalie Nash, vice president of journalism at the Knight Foundation, has joined the American Journalism Project’s board!
What to read:
(The big news)
We love an acquisition!! Hearken, which helps local news outlets engage with their communities, is now part of Indiegraf.
Even better, Hearken’s founder, Jenn Brandel, wrote this incredible reflection: “My 33-Year-Old Self Had Questions. My 44-Year-Old Self Finally Has Answers… and News!”
Today, the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program opened applications for their inaugural class of Religion Fellows!
Ten rising leaders (ages 25-40) will receive $15K to create and implement a pluralism project. (Deadline May 1st.)
From the Packard Foundation, Michelle Shevin, Kelly Born, and Fiona Kirby’s new report: “AI and Democracy: Perspectives from an Emerging Field.”
The American Enterprise Institute launched “The First Branch Society (FBS),” which is:
A bipartisan community of congressional staffers “dedicated to strengthening Congress and restoring its central place in the American constitutional system.”
The goal is to “enable Congress to reinforce its institutional capacities and reassert its constitutional prerogatives.”
Where to work:
(Jobs, jobs, jobs!)
New American Leaders Chief Advancement Officer — remote, $145K-$160K
UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement Assistant Director — remote, $88K-$125K
Voting Rights Lab Chief Program Officer — remote, $265K-$315K
The Carter Center:
Montana Election Observation Initiative - Regional Coordinator — MT, $3,500/month
Michigan Nonpartisan Observation Program Advisor Consultant — MI, estimated daily rate of $350-$450, commensurate with experience
CFLeads Director of Civic Health — remote, $108K-$129K
Center for Tech and Civic Life:
Development Director — remote, $116K-$141K
Organizing Associate — remote, $62K-$77K
Issue One:
Policy Manager — DC, $68K-$78K
Digital Content Manager — DC, $70K-$80K
^ These orgs really want to reach great candidates in the Democracy Notes community! If you’d like to promote a role with us, our options are here!
Freedom Together Foundation Senior Program Officer, Movement Infrastructure & Explorations (MIE) — NYC, $183K-$203K
A More Perfect Union The Jewish Partnership for Democracy:
Manager, Strategic Communications — remote, $85K-$95K
Vice President, Leadership & Organizing — remote, $145K-$160K
Recoding America Fund Head of Strategic Communications — remote (DC strongly preferred), $140K-$180K
Harvard Kennedy School People’s Lab Director of Operations — Cambridge, $88K-$151K
The One America Movement Development Director — DC, $95K-$137K
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Counsel/Senior Counsel Protecting and Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (PADEI) Initiative — DC, $104K-$129K
City Bureau Senior Site Success Manager, Documenters Network — remote, $80K
American Journalism Project Senior Technical Product Manager — remote, $136K-$150K
URL Media Executive Assistant & Business Development Partner — NYC, $75K-$85K
Transitions, transitions:
(Where the movers are moving and the shakers are shaking)
Kristin Ford is now Vice President, Communications at Campaign Legal Center!
Louisa Imperiale has joined American Promise as a Senior Advisor!
Former CEO of the Skoll Foundation Don Gips is now a Senior Advisor at More Perfect!
Hayden Richardson has joined Unify America as Senior Director of Strategic Relations!
Soheïla Comninos is now a Senior Non-Resident Fellow at Accountability Lab!
Talia Marcus is now Director of Subscription Strategy and Product at Democracy Docket!
Matt Stempeck has joined the Evens Foundation as their new Director of Technology & Democracy!
Submit your job transitions (or promotions!) here.
See you soon,
Gabe