This week's Democracy Notes
$150K grants for research, lots of events, and much more.
Greetings!
I hope those in attendance enjoyed ~democracy funder prom~ this week (the Democracy Funders Network summit).
For folks (like me) who didn’t make the cut, at least we’ve got the Slack to chit chat in. If you haven’t already, you can join the 166 of us who are already there.
A couple other updates before we dive in:
We’re gathering referrals for COOs (or other ops professionals in the democracy space) to join our upcoming community of practice cohort.
If that’s you (or someone on your team), apply here.
Same goes for development/fundraising professionals. Apply for the next community of practice cohort here.
And finally, our weekly question!
Democracy Notes 6/20
What’s happening in philanthropy:
($$$)
The Trust for Civic Life announced its first set of grantees this week, all are “Civic Hub” organizations in rural America.
Kettering goes global! One of the foundation’s five focus areas is “Democracy Around the Globe.” This week, they announced the first cohort of Kettering Foundation Global Fellows.
Are you an academic researcher working at the intersection of tech + society? The Google Academic Research Award (GARA) Program is now accepting applications (due 7/17).
Up to $150,000 in funding. Topics include: trust & safety, society-centered AI, and more.
Why did two California-based foundations begin investing in democracy in 2020? More importantly…should all funders be democracy funders? (Why yes, yes they should!)
Inside Philanthropy piece from the heads of the two Haas Funds, one with a democracy program.
What to read:
(The big news)
There was an insane amount of content this week (not sure why) and I was only able to include some of it here. (Trying to keep this [relatively] short and sweet!)
If you want the best of the rest, I’ll be posting it to Democracy Notes Encore, our LinkedIn newsletter. You can sign up here!
I hope everyone had a restful and reflective Juneteenth federal holiday.
Democracy Journal’s summer edition is out. Eight (presumably great) essays on “revitalizing political leadership.”
What will (and won’t) electoral reform do?
UChicago’s Center for Effective Government had already put out a Democracy Reform Primer Series to “narrow the gap between research and public dialogue.”
Now, they’ve partnered with the Associated Press to translate those materials for a journalistic audience.
Georgia became the first state to mandate election law training for police.
Brilliant (and skimmable!) analysis showing the risks to business of declining rule of law in the US.
What’s up with young people and their views on democracy?
From Scott Warren at the SNF Agora Institute and Meryl Miner of the International Republican Institute (IRI): “Understanding Youth Perceptions Towards Authoritarianism.” Report here.
Fabulous user interface from the NYT (it’s suuuuper skimmable) in a piece on what Trump will do if he wins.
What to watch/listen to/attend:
(Events, podcasts, and more)
I’ve been blown away by the podcast Practical Radicals (from Stephanie Luce and president of the JPB Foundation Deepak Bhargava).
Local news + public policy, ~all~ the updates in 1 minute, 15 seconds. Video.
July 11/12th conference in DC on “Liberalism for the 21st Century.”
Big name sponsors/media partners: Vox Media, Protect Democracy, Hewlett Foundation, Packard Foundation, and more.
For awareness, the Aspen Ideas Festival is next week. If you’ll be there, check out this great panel on whether the future of democracy can be found at work.
Where to work:
(Jobs, jobs, jobs!)
Democracy Works Director of Marketing & Communications — remote, $86K-$110K
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW):
Digital Associate — DC, $48K-$58K
Senior Policy Counsel/Advisor — DC, $85K-$125K
All roles listed here, including internships!
The Aspen Institute Director of AI & Democracy — DC, $160K-$190K
Futures Action Network (Office of Eric Schmidt) Analyst — New York, $90K-$110K
Free Press Civic Media Campaign Manager — remote, $75K-$83K
The People’s Tech Resource Organizer — remote, $80K-$86K
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) at the University of Maryland Researcher, Radicalization and Disengagement (RaD) team — (1-2 positions available) MD, $55K-$75K
Interfaith America:
Email Marketing Manager — remote, $65K-$80K
Program Manager (Campus Partnership) — Chicago, $65K-$75K
Director of Student and Educator Programs — Chicago, $100K-$110K
When We All Vote Web Content & Production Contractor/Consultant (individual or firm, consulting gig) — remote, no $ listed
California Common Cause Voting Rights Program Associate — CA, $70K-$85K
Resetting the Table Assistant Director, Entertainment Partnerships — remote, $80K-$110K
The Charles F. Kettering Foundation Executive Assistant — Dayton, OH, $65K-$75K
The Bridging Divides Initiative Research Assistant Internship — remote, $18/hour or $25/hour (based on degree)
Movement Labs:
Contest Every Race Associate — remote, $50K-$70K
Data Associate — remote, $60K-$65K
Digital Director, Political Innovation — remote, $85K-$91K
Senior Reliability Engineer — remote, $100K-$180K
Tons more open roles across functions and years of experience here.
Thank you, as always, for your attention. If you’ve found this useful, please share it with a democracy friend or colleague.
And if you found it really useful, upgrade to a paid subscription below!
Take care,
Gabe