This week's Democracy Notes
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Greetings!
If you’re curious about the newsletter’s subtitle, it’s a reference to Chappell Roan (I’m back on my pop culture bullsh*t).
Chappell’s PR apparatus somehow got everyone (including Google, see below) to refer to her as “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.” Glorious.
Speaking of PR machines, iCivics recently rebranded with an assist from branding firm BBMG.
When and why should a democracy nonprofit rebrand? Read iCivics CEO Louise Dubé’s piece in Democracy Takes here.
Down the road, we’re planning to host Reddit-style Ask Me Anything sessions with leaders in the democracy space via the Democracy Notes Slack. Are there folks you’d particularly like to hear from? Drop me a note at Gabe@Democracy-Notes.org.
P.S. If you haven’t already, join the 283 people already on the Slack!
Democracy Notes 9/4
What’s happening in philanthropy:
($$$)
The Knight Foundation invested $5.4M to create the Knight Growth Challenge Fund to help proven newsrooms (proven quality and financial sustainability) to scale into new markets.
Kelly Born, Director of the Democracy, Rights, and Governance initiative at the Packard Foundation wrote a very thorough piece in Project Syndicate outlining the depth and breadth of America’s democratic challenges.
You won’t find insight into Packard’s strategy here (for that, see the 6/5 issue of Democracy Notes), but rather how Kelly views the challenges we face.
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation’s application is open…because it’s always open 😉 They fund social entrepreneurs via a VC-style model ($150K to start.)
Artists! £4,000 in funding available for 10 projects promoting civil society via a partnership between Art Rights Truth (ART) and CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. Deadline 9/15.
What to read:
(The big news)
Youngins! Apply for $1K to support your civic projects from the Institute for Citizens and Scholars. (Deadline 10/4, ages 14-24.)
We love a good collab! FairVote and RepresentUs partnered on a report with recommendations on how to make the most of multi-winner RCV, including:
Use proportional RCV (I’m a big fan of proportional representation), and
Elect between 3 and 5 seats at a time.
Interim Freedom House President Nicole Bibbins Sedaca wrote a great piece in The Bulwark — “When Everything Is a Threat to Democracy, Nothing Is.”
CoGenerate is hosting an Innovators' Community of Practice for those piloting efforts to reduce social isolation and loneliness.
They’ll help you implement co-generational approaches. The deadline is 9/6 (!) and it’s a free, five-week learning experience.
Are your friends and family wondering how to get involved this election cycle in nonpartisan work? Common Cause’s Digital Democracy Activist program is a great entry point. Opportunities to:
Combat online election-related misinformation, and
Connect voters to election information.
What to watch/listen to/attend:
(Events, podcasts, and more)
On September 19-20, Georgetown University’s Center on Faith and Justice is hosting Test of Faith: A Summit to Defend Democracy. (Very nicely designed website!)
Just Security podcast episode (34 min) with Rachel Kleinfeld on political violence.
Chronicle of Philanthropy virtual event with Future Caucus (formerly Millennial Action Project) CEO Layla Zaidane — and it’s only 15 minutes! Woah.
9/18 12:30-12:45pm ET.
The PERIL Lab at AU (works on political violence prevention) is hosting a workshop in Athens, GA on Election Anxiety and Safety.
9/21 10:00 am-1:00pm ET.
In the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, the Committee of Seventy plays a key role in election protection and voting rights work in Philadelphia. Their 120th anniversary is coming up. Join the in-person celebration on 11/20!
Where to work:
(Jobs, jobs, jobs!)
National Trust for Local News, Growth Associate (Extern) — remote, $65K-$80K
Interfaith America Program Assistants (five roles!) — Chicago, $26/hour
AI & Democracy Foundation (AIDF) Head of Operations — remote, $110K-$200K
The McCain Institute at Arizona State University Program Coordinator, Human Rights & Freedom (HRF) Program — DC, $50K-$65K
New_ Public Social Media Fellow (Oct-Dec) — remote, $40/hour, 20-25 hours/week
Applications are open for the Center for Christianity and Public Life’s 2025 Public Life Fellowship class. (9-month program.)
Rest of World Labor x Tech Editor — $75K (one-year contract)
Grad students interested in healthy online spaces and translating research to practice! Prosocial Design Network Library Fellow — remote, $40/hr 10 hrs/week, 10 weeks
Election Reformers Network Democracy Research Manager — remote, no $ listed
Transitions, transitions:
(Where are the movers moving and the shakers shaking?)
Kelly Clark is Generation Citizen's New Director of National Expansion! Kelly has held leadership roles at KIPP Public Schools Northern California, Wiley, and EVERFI from Blackbaud.
Blair Beverly is New_ Public’s new Senior Software Engineer!
Cori Zarek is Apolitical’s first VP of North America! She previously served as Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Digital Service at the White House, Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer, and Executive Director at Georgetown University’s Beeck Center.
Submit your job transitions here!
As always, thanks so much for your attention.
Take care,
Gabe