This week's Democracy Notes
We back!!
Two weeks off was a delight. We love a vacation! (But we love you too, and I’m glad to be back.)
Does your org have HR?? How about a general counsel?Pass along these interest forms to them!
General counsel peer-learning cohort interest form
HR peer-learning cohort interest form
Thank you, m’dears!!!
Democracy Notes 6/23
What’s happening in philanthropy:
($$$)
The Hewlett Foundation announced $19M in grants “to strengthen civic participation, reduce corrosive polarization, and help communities rebuild a sense of shared purpose.”
The announcement came from Philanthropy Program Officer Marselle Alexander-Ozinskas and Special Projects Director Eli Sugarman. Grants were:
$10M — Be The People, a multiyear national campaign spearheaded by Stand Together (AP coverage here) “focused on restoring contribution and participation in civic life as central parts of American identity.”
$4M — GivingTuesday
$5M — Shared America, which “tells the story of who we are, and can be, as Americans—helping develop connection, optimism, and trust.”
The initiative is led by Ken Himmelman. 990 filing here.
The newly-renamed Andrew Carnegie Foundation (formerly the Carnegie Corporation of New York) announced 41 grants totaling ~$50M, including:
$1.5M over 2 years — Chicago-Kent College of Law to expand the Civic Mission Schools Network
(Congrats, in part, to Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg!)
$1M over 2 years — Center for Civic Education
$1M over 2 years — More Perfect, for their national service democracy goal
$600K over 30 months — Institute for Strategic Dialogue (“to mitigate cybersecurity threats from both internal and external forces on U.S. elections”)
$500K over 30 months — The Chamberlain Network
$500K over 30 months — RightCount
$500K over 24 months — SNF Agora Institute - map of U.S. civic infrastructure
$500K over 24 months — SNF Agora Institute - Shaping a Conservative Agenda for Democracy program
$400K over 30 months — Veterans for All Voters
The Marguerite Casey Foundation has committed to giving a minimum of $500M over the next 10 years, a 50% increase compared to the past decade!
Some exciting philanthropy transitions and board announcements:
Former Governor of Montana Steve Bullock has joined the Packard Foundation board!
Eric Dayton has joined the board of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund!
Haley Sonenthal Goodman has joined Alta Futures as Program Director!
Biiig philanthropy job!
Humanity United Chief Executive Officer — DC or SF, $460K-$575K
What to read:
(The big news)
Given the happenings in Ohio…a reminder that Protect Democracy has a great toolkit for nonprofit organizations facing government investigations! It includes:
Also re: Ohio, check out #HandsOffOhio!
Westminster Foundation for Democracy is looking for orgs specializing in democratic governance for a Preferred Supplier list of Expert Partners.
Read more and apply here!
Great statement and call to action from Patagonia about the SAVE Act and the Callais decision.
What to watch/listen to/attend:
(Events, podcasts, and more)
DC folks! Lots of events and opportunities as part of Rising Organizers’ DC’s “Summer Campaign for Freedom,” including their FreedomFest on 6/27!!
And a VERY nifty website.
7/9 at 2pm ET — join Public Agenda for a webinar, “What Young Men Are Telling Us: Insights from New Research.”
Featuring Public Agenda, Sam Pressler (of Connective Tissue), and Riki Conrey.
Check out research from Public Agenda and from Connective Tissue.
7/13 at 5pm ET — Votebeat is answering all your election-related questions at their “Will the midterms happen? Your election questions, answered” event.
Register here!
Where to work:
(Jobs, jobs, jobs!)
Volunteer position! Polinger Family Foundation Grants Committee Member — remote, $2,500 in discretionary funds to a 501c3 of your choice
Keseb Director of Operations — remote (DC based), $115K-$125K
Bridging Divides Initiative Michigan State Lead/Senior Research Specialist — Michigan, $80K-$90K
Issue One Director of Major Gifts and Leadership Giving — DC, $120K-$130K
RepresentUs Senior Writer and Press Manager — remote, $78K-$108K
Protect Democracy Tech Counsel (AI for Democracy Action Lab) — remote, $138K-$193K
The Carter Center Michigan Nonpartisan Election Observation Regional Coordinator Consultant — MI, $300-$500/day
^ These orgs really want to reach great candidates in the Democracy Notes community! If you’d like to promote a role with us, our options are here!
The Presidential Leadership Scholars program (a joint initiative of the presidential centers of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson) is recruiting cross-sector leaders for their 2027 cohort:
Learn more and apply here!
Students! The Center for Study of the Presidency & Congress (CSPC) is accepting applications for two of their Presidential Fellows Programs:
At-Large Program for students at universities that aren’t CSPC partner institutions.
Innovation Fellowship for STEM students.
Apply here by 7/1!
Do you have video editing skills?
National Issues Forums Institute is looking for Storytelling and Video Editing Support for their What’s Next America initiative. Learn more here!
Mid-June through mid-August, 8-10 hours/week, $500 per week.
Center for Civic Design Content Designer/Plain Language Specialist — remote, $7.8K/month (contract)
Lots of open roles at Democracy Forward!
And lots of remote positions at Constructive Dialogue Institute!
City Bureau Development Manager — Chicago, $71K
6/23 deadline!
Freedom Together Foundation Senior Program Officer, Community & Worker Power — NYC, $183K-$203K
6/24 deadline!
Campus Compact (remote):
Program Manager, Innovation — $70K-$75K
Director, Impact & Evaluation — $95K-$110K
Priority deadline 6/22
Civic Re(Solve) Program Lead — remote, $190K-$225K
Generation Citizen RISE Vote Manager — remote (preference for certain states, see listing), $30-$35/hour (part-time)
Rooney Democracy Institute at the University of Notre Dame Social Impact Specialist — DC, up to $80K
States United Democracy Center Senior Manager (New Media) — remote, $110K+
Southern Poverty Law Center Senior Policy or Policy Counsel, Voting Rights — DC, $103K, $154K for senior role
Campaign Legal Center Public Interest Fellowship (Fall 2027) — DC, $92K
Integrity Matters Small Business Organizer — DC, $30/hour, up to 40 hours/week
Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions (remote):
Senior Director of Communications and Digital Engagement — $141K-$169K
Senior Communications and Engagement Lead — $113K-$136K
Design and Digital Engagement Lead — $92K-$110K
Civic Right Fund Fund Operations Consultant — remote, $60/hour (part-time contractor, 20–30 hours per week)
Protect Democracy Data Scientist — remote, $84K-92K
Project On Government Oversight Senior Investigative Reporter — remote in DC, $85K-$100K
Voter Empowerment Project Program Associate — remote, $22-$30/hr (part-time, 20 hours/week)
CHANGE Illinois Interim Executive Director — remote, $115K-$135K
Renew Democracy Initiative Editorial Associate — NYC or DC, $60K-$80K
Brennan Center for Justice Assistant Editor — NYC, $70K-$80K
Knight Foundation Program Director, Community Impact — California, $180K-$200K
New America Editor and Content Manager, Central Communications — DC, $80K-$90K
Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY Confidential Executive Officer & Strategic Projects Manager — NYC, $122K-$131K
Civic Bridgers Campaign Manager — Minnesota, $8.5K/month
YouTube Global Civics Partnerships Lead — DC or San Bruno, CA, $224K-$312K
Surdna Foundation Program Officer, Learning & Impact — NYC, $125K-$138K
Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation Philanthropy Associate — NYC or White Plains, $80K-$90K
Anthony Pritzker Family Foundation Program Manager — Los Angeles, no salary info :(
Transitions, transitions:
(Where the movers are moving and the shakers are shaking)
Ryan P. Haygood is now President and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Beauregard Patterson has joined Democracy Defenders Action as a Litigation Counsel, Election and Voting Rights!
Guillermo Creamer Jr. is Neighbor to Neighbor MA’s new Development Director!
Meto Koloski has been promoted to Chief Advancement Officer at Freedom House!
Nathaniel Erb is Rebuild Local News’ new Director of Government Affairs and Partnerships!
Federation for Innovation in Democracy - North America welcomed their summer fellows — Catherine Fraser and Henry Grieco — and their American Democracy interns Rachel Witherspoon and Billie van Leeuwen. Congrats!
Campaign Legal Center welcomed their class of 2026 summer legal interns!
Dylan Peers McCoy is now reporting on civic accountability at Free Press Indiana!
Submit your job transitions (or promotions!) here.
See you soon,
Gabe