This week's Democracy Notes
Democracy jobs, news, and more.
Hello again!
Y’all are (mostly) podcast people! In last week’s poll, roughly 2/3 identified as listeners.
For those of you who are podcast people…check out the latest episode of the Democracy Notes podcast, a recap of last week’s Civic Learning Week festivities.
Previous episodes include:
Principles First Summit recap with Matt Germer and Scott Warren
Knight Media Forum recap with S. Mitra Kalita and Elizabeth Green
Finally, if Democracy Notes is useful to you, share it with someone else! We’re almost at 500 subscribers…just 10 more to go 🎉
Democracy Notes 3/13
What’s happening in philanthropy:
($$$)
Last week I forgot to include the link to apply for the “Democracy Demo Day” pitch contest hosted by the Lenfest Institute and the AP. My apologies!
Great pitch opportunity for media and journalism startups (both nonprofit and for profit!): $150K in grants available through The Next Challenge. (Due 3/25!)
Last year, 79% of all winning startups were female- and/or BIPOC-founded.
Press Forward Chicago’s RFP deadline is 3/25! Two-year grants of $100-125K for Chicago-based local news outlets.
Speaking of Press Forward, local news folks should check out this very substantive “Letter to the Field” from Press Forward’s new director, Dale Anglin.
Technical assistance and $7,500 stipend for community partnerships addressing loneliness and social isolation through implementation of this “Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities.”
Project funded by Einhorn Collaborative in partnership with the Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC) and Healthy Places by Design (HPbD).
New leadership of Open Society Foundations.
"Institutions are the vehicles through which we negotiate our differences,” writes Ali Noorani, Hewlett’s US democracy director, in this Council on Foundations blog post.
What to read:
(The big news)
Rachel Kleinfeld’s work is always excellent. This report on “closing civic space in the US” is no exception.
What even is “civic space”? Why aren’t there birdwatching leagues in autocracies? Read this excellent report to find out.
Another great international/domestic comparison by Kleinfeld, this time focused on the judiciary.
RCV under attack from MAGA: great piece in Rolling Stone (in partnership with investigative watchdog Documented).
What to watch/listen to/attend:
(Events, podcasts, and more)
Event today 5-7pm ET in DC! American University’s PERIL lab is hosting an in-person panel about hate on campuses.
Partnership opportunity! New York-based high school civic engagement organization YVote is looking for 2-3 partner organizations (not necessarily in NY) to bring their week-long Democracy Camp to your local community.
If you're interested, check out this Partner Guide, fill out the interest form here, and/or email Sanda@yvoteny.org.
Journalists covering elections! Mini course on Campaign Reporting that Centers Communities and Solutions from the Knight Center and Solutions Journalism Network.
Free online course runs from March 25-April 21.
Awesome webinar recap article (with video of webinar) on “Five Ways Public Libraries Go Far Beyond Books” from the Urban Libraries Council.
Where to work:
(Jobs, jobs, jobs!)
America250 Executive Director — Alexandria, VA, $183K
Center for Democracy and Technology Democracy Fellow — DC, $65K-$105K
Entry level! Elias Law Group, Scheduler for Marc Elias (of Democracy Docket)
Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Senior Program Officer — Chicago, $125K+
One of three portfolio areas is “Investigative Journalism for Government Accountability.” Position was posted 2/7 but is still up.
Sahan Journal Executive Director — Minnesota, $145K-$185K
News Literacy Project Senior Vice President, Development — remote, $210K-$235K
Mikva Challenge Chief Advancement Officer — Chicago/DC/remote, $175K-$200K
iCivics Senior Director of Finance — Cambridge, MA, $150K+
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Program Manager, Center on Civility and Democracy — DC, no $ deets
American Journalism Project Vice President of Portfolio Learning — remote, $153K-$168K
Thanks, as always, for your attention. If you found this valuable, please forward it to a democracy friend or colleague!
Thanks, Gabe!