This week's Democracy Notes
How's the democracy space vibe this week?
Hi again!
How are we feeling, y’all? It’s been a big couple of weeks.
SCOTUS, the debate (👴), Project 2025 going mainstream (it’s popping up everywhere this week).
Personally (as someone who works on US democracy) I feel an obligation to stay up to speed on the headlines. But I’ve wanted to bury my head in the sand this week. (Or bury my…ears…in a good audiobook.)
How about you? What’s the vibe?
Side note: the Slack has been busy this week! (Lots of events, jobs, and articles posted.) You can (should!) join the 190+ folks who are already there.
Democracy Notes 7/10
What’s happening in philanthropy:
($$$)
The Kettering Foundation’s new(ish) president, Sharon L. Davies, put out a very, very good (and very, very short) statement about the Roberts Court’s decision on presidential immunity.
Yesterday, Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE) launched its “Democracy Futures Project” to help democracy philanthropy think longer term.
If you’re a funder you can express interest in joining their cohort.
Funder-only (😢) July 23rd event about Media Impact Funders latest research on what motivates funders around the world to invest in journalism.
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation awarded a $1.5 million grant to the Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL).
Some of their other grantees include: Unite America, Future Caucus, and Protect Democracy.
What to read:
(The big news)
If you have a bit more time this week (10 min?), Protect Democracy’s newsletter has really good analysis on France and the UK’s elections. The section headers:
(1) First-past-the-post distortion in the United Kingdom, and
(2) France’s exercise in coalitional politics.
Yesterday, New America announced its second class of Us@250 fellows. Congrats!
Speaking of New America, their political reform program put out a great brief on citizens’ assemblies in the US.
Want to help renovate American democracy? Danielle Allen recently launched a 10-week newsletter via WaPo to teach you (or your non-democracy-space mom or brother) how.
An independent redistricting commission will likely be on the November ballot in Ohio. Citizens Not Politicians Ohio delivered more than 730,000 signatures last week to the Ohio Secretary of State — 413,446 valid signatures are needed.
What to watch/listen to/attend:
(Events, podcasts, and more)
BIG name speakers (well, big for the democracy space) at this anti-autocracy conference.
It’s cohosted by Principles First, State Democracy Defenders Action, and Democracy Forward (NYC on July 23rd).
Really good (well produced!) ~25 min YouTube video with a lot of my favorite folks talking about political violence and the militant far right.
(Lots) more events posted on the Slack!
Where to work:
(Jobs, jobs, jobs!)
[The Slack saw it first!] International Foundation for Electoral Systems Global Digital Democracy Advisor — DC, $113K-$183K
Partners in Democracy President and CEO — MA, $170K
Bridge Alliance Program Director, Citizen Connect — Chicago, $4K/month
Media Democracy Fund Interim Grants Manager — remote, $6K/month
Brennan Center for Justice:
Research Analyst — New York, $80K-$90K
Production Coordinator State Court Report (Judiciary Program) — New York, $73K-$78K
Office Manager — New York, $88K-$93K
Counsel, Democracy Program — DC, $110K-$179K
Interfaith America Director of National Bridgebuilding Initiatives — Chicago, $100K-$110K
This role will lead on the Team Up Project with the YMCA, Catholic Charities, and Habitat for Humanity.
Civic News Company Local News Research Tools Contract Engineer — remote, $25K-$30K
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Spring 2025 Civil Rights Tech Internship — remote, $20/hr
The Civics Center Ohio High School Voter Registration Outreach Facilitator — remote (requires residence within one hour of target city), $7K/month
Institute for Strategic Dialogue Digital Research Analyst — DC (flexible), $65K-$85K
National Conference of State Legislators Senior Program Coordinator — Denver, $57K
Great resource for finding early career roles in philanthropy (NOT specific to democracy philanthropy).
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