This week's Democracy Notes
Hello, hello!
Y’all. I’m worried about us. The vibes are not great!
Courage (and good vibes) are contagious, and we’ll need lots of both in the coming years. I’m curious, how can we protect our peace:
at the individual level,
at the organizational level,
and as a field?
I’d love to hear any and all thoughts you have. I’ll start a thread in the Slack for us to discuss (or feel free to send me an email).
Separately…the Denver Democracy Summit is in full swing and I’m co-emceeing with Lilia Dashevsky! Tune in here!
Out of curiosity…
Democracy Notes 1/24
What’s happening in philanthropy:
($$$)
How do we protect our vibes and stay courageous? Choose hope. Stick together. Seek opportunity, and lots more, according to Democracy Fund President Joe Goldman’s “Pledge to Get Through This Together.”
Goldman lays out principles that DF will stick to and makes four commitments, including: “We will not shy away from support of grantees who come under unfair pressure and scrutiny.” Love it.
The Nathan Cummings Foundation’s application portal is open through June 30th.
Their focus is on racial, economic, and environmental justice (REEJ) in the U.S. south.
$15M 2025 grantmaking budget, ~$1.5M of which is available to new partners.
They anticipate adding 6-8 partners in each grantmaking area.
On Wednesday, the Kettering Foundation and Gallup launched the Democracy for All Project — a national annual survey and research initiative aimed at understanding how Americans perceive and experience democracy.
The Funders Network is celebrating its 25th anniversary! Join funders focused on racial justice in Baltimore March 17-19 for their annual conference.
What to read:
(The big news)
Rebrand alert! Move for America is now Civic Bridgers.
For more deets check out their launch video (and note from Executive Director Libby Stegger).
Alright, here’s a fun one: any recommendations for a science fiction story or other short work to frame a discussion on the future of tech/AI and democracy?
If you do, reach out to Lisa Nehring (lnehrin1@jhu.edu).
(Lisa’s question was inspired by this SNF Agora Institute convening.)
In The Art of Association (now on Substack!) Daniel Stid outlines eight working hypothesis shaping his thinking on civic renewal.
I found points 1, 5, and 6 particularly compelling.
(#5 references a report by Hahrie Han and Dan Vallone on “collective settings” that I included in the first-ever edition of Democracy Notes!)
If politics is downstream from culture, shouldn’t we be paying more attention to Hollywood? Democracy 2076 and Harmony Labs are doing just that.
Check out their new report on how entertainment media shapes people’s understanding of government.
The ever-provocative Vu Le wrote a poignant blog post on “nonprofit and philanthropy and our white moderate tendency to obey tyranny in advance.”
Have a Christian high schooler? Applications are open for the Center for Christianity and Public Life’s Public Good Generation! program.
What to watch/listen to/attend:
(Events, podcasts, and more)
Democracy women in DC! On 2/11, attend the second Women Who ❤️ Democracy Happy Hour, hosted by Paz Magat and Lilia Dashevsky at The Admiral.
Brookings Governance Studies event on 2/4 — “Cross purposes: Christianity’s broken bargain with democracy” (we love a pun!).
The Eradicate Hate Global Summit seeks session proposals for the September 15-17 event (deadline to submit is 3/31).
Where to work:
(Jobs, jobs, jobs!)
The Kansas City Public Library is looking for a consultant to develop their next strategic plan. RFP here.
Ford Foundation Program Officer, Civic Engagement and Government — NYC, $173K-$185K
League of Women Voters Chief of Staff — DC, $170K-$190K
iCivics Senior Director, Product Innovation & Design — remote, $140K
UVA Karsh Institute for Democracy Program Manager — Charlottesville, VA, $65K-$70K
Institute for Responsive Government:
Federal Policy Advisor — DC, $135K-$155K
Policy Analyst — remote, $75K-$90K
Department of Public Transformation Administrative Coordinator — remote, $59K
Campus Compact Higher Education Democracy Exchange (HEDx) Project Manager (18-month full time role with benefits) — remote, $65K-$75K
Partners In Democracy Group (PID):
MA Organizing Director — MA, $95K
MA Community Organizer — MA, $68K
Public Rights Project (all remote):
Director of Communications — $135K-$170K
Senior Staff Attorney - Litigation — $135K-$170K
Civil Rights Hub Director — $135K-$170K
Litigation Director — $135K-$170K
Center for Community Media (CCM) at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY Executive Director — New York (open to remote), $130K-$140K
We The Action (WTA) Community Manager — remote, $61K-$66K
Tons of open postings at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).
Life After Hate Executive Director — remote, $128K
ACLU Temporary Regional Campaign Strategist (9 month gig, multiple hires) — remote, $133K (prorated, so ~$100K)
With Honor Vice President of Communications & Marketing — DC, $150K-$200K
Aspen Institute’s Center for Rising Generations Associates Program — DC, $65K
Brennan Center for Justice Steven M. Polan Fellowship in Constitutional Law and History (up to 5 fellows) — nonresident, part time, $40K
Governors Action Alliance (GovAct) Development Manager — remote, $120K-$140K
Transitions, transitions:
(Where the movers are moving and the shakers are shaking)
Michael Ortega is now Staff Attorney at the Advancement Project! He was previously a Legal Fellow at Campaign Legal Center.
Debilyn Molineaux is now Executive Director at Center for Collaborative Democracy! She previously founded and led the Bridge Alliance. Congratulations!
Kait Saier is now the Development Director for the Heterodox Academy!
Graham Watson-Ringo is Press Forward’s new grantee engagement and support manager! She was previously VP of Growth at News Revenue Hub.
Submit your job transitions here.
Can’t get enough of Democracy Notes? Join the Slack community!
Take care,
Gabe