This week's Democracy Notes
Greetings!
Welcome to a rare Friday edition of Democracy Notes. Happy almost weekend!
For those who are new around these parts, welcome! My name is Gabe Lerner.
Each week I write a briefing to help you stay up to speed on the US democracy space, all while being a thoughtful steward of your attention—your most valuable resource.
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Democracy Notes 10/11
What’s happening in philanthropy:
($$$)
A successor to All by April! On Wednesday, Democracy Fund launched a new campaign, Election Day to Every Day, to drive sustainable giving in the coming months.
Reimagining the Civic Commons announced its third round of investment: $10M (over 3 years) to transform public spaces in 10 cities to counteract social isolation, nurture trust, and more.
The initiative—a collaboration among The JPB Foundation, the Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, and the William Penn Foundation—launched in 2016 with an initial $20M investment.
Third Plateau (which runs Democracy Funders Network) released a new funder guide on indigenous-led civic engagement, in partnership with Native Americans in Philanthropy and Civic (Re)Solve.
They’re hosting a webinar today (!!) at 1:30pm ET.
Speaking of Third Plateau, Democracy Funders Network deputy director Emily Thielmann was on a provocatively-titled panel, “Can Money Save Democracy?” at last week’s Athens Democracy Forum.
The panel was covered by The New York Times which co-hosted the conference.
What to read:
(The big news)
The National Civic League launched their much-anticipated Healthy Democracy Ecosystem Map with an initial 1.3K organizations in 10 states.
Their effort pairs well with Impala and Democracy Funders Network’s recently-launched database of funding in the US democracy space.
Guru of all things libraries and democracy, Shamichael Hallman, is out with a new book! It’s called Meet Me at the Library: A Place to Foster Social Connection and Promote Democracy.
Are you teaching about democracy in the classroom? (Or want a great reading list?) Check out the Journal of Democracy’s subject guides including:
How to fight an autocrat
Is India still a democracy?
Latin American democracies’ promise and peril
What to watch/listen to/attend:
(Events, podcasts, and more)
In-person event in Chicago on 10/23 at 6pm CT featuring an all-start cast of journalists and Adav Noti, Executive Director of Campaign Legal Center.
The event is co-hosted by the UChicago Center for Effective Government, WBEZ Chicago, and the Chicago Sun-Times.
SO many interesting episodes with democracy funders and practitioners on the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s Giving Done Right podcast.
The episodes with Eric Liu, Darren Walker, and Arthur Blank caught my eye.
What’s the role of government in building civic infrastructure and supporting social connection? Check out this virtual event on 10/23 at 2pm ET!
It’s part of the rollout of the Connective Tissue policy framework.
The National Conference on Citizenship 2024 conference will be December 10th in DC! Early bird tickets ($150) are available through 10/14.
The theme is Renewing Civic Health.
Where to work:
(Jobs, jobs, jobs!)
There are HEAPS of open roles at the Brennan Center for Justice including:
Spring and Summer 2025 internships
Postdoctoral Research Fellow — New York, $87K
Development Manager — New York, $98K-$110K
Campaign Manager/Director, Supreme Court Reform — DC, $90K-$140K
Generation Citizen Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Region — NY, NJ, PA, $101K-$111K
Humanity United Senior Manager, Peacebuilding & Partnerships — NYC, DC, or SF, roughly $140K-$165K
They’re looking for a fixed-term (2 year) Senior Manager to co-manage a participatory multi-donor initiative.
Microsoft Director, Public Affairs (in part supporting Democracy Forward) — DC, $129K-$249K
The Pivot Fund is conducting a landscape analysis of news in Wisconsin. They’re looking for a senior journalist or researcher to lead that effort.
Monthly payment of $4K, 15 hours per week.
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum Director — Independence, MO, $148K-$222K
Tech Policy Press Associate Editor — remote, $100K-$120K
City Bureau Chief Development Officer — Chicago, $160K-$190K
Transitions, transitions:
(Where are the movers moving and the shakers shaking?)
IREX CEO Kristin Lord will be stepping down in May 2025 after a decade at the helm of the 760-person, $155M budget organization.
While mainly a global democracy and development organization, IREX is leading work on libraries as civic hubs in the US.
Jessica Sutter is the new Executive Director of the Earth Conservation Corps. She was previously Chief of Civic Learning Initiatives at the Institute for Citizens and Scholars.
Jen Ahearn is Demand Justice’s new Counsel and Senior Director of Engagement! She was previously Senior Counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice.
Submit your job transitions here!
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Take care,
Gabe