Philanthropy has an important role to play in strengthening democracy. When foundations support their grantees in helping communities participate in civic life, they help ensure that the people most affected by public decisions have a voice in shaping them.
That was the goal behind a recent collaboration between Nonprofit VOTE and Fairfield County’s Community Foundation (FCCF) in Connecticut. Together, we hosted a training for FCCF grantees focused on helping attendees make a practical, nonpartisan plan to engage voters in their communities.
Building Capacity for Nonpartisan Voter Engagement
The training brought together a group of nonprofit leaders working across Fairfield County on issues ranging from housing and education to health and community development. While their missions vary, they share a common goal: empowering the communities they serve.
During the session, Nonprofit VOTE staff walked participants through how nonprofits can incorporate voter engagement into their existing programs in ways that are both effective and fully nonpartisan. Topics included:
- How nonprofits can legally and safely engage voters
- Integrating voter registration and education into everyday programs
- Using trusted relationships to reach underrepresented voters
- Planning voter outreach around key election milestones
The session emphasized that nonprofits are uniquely positioned to help people participate in elections. As trusted messengers embedded in their communities, nonprofit organizations can reach individuals who may otherwise be disconnected from traditional civic outreach.
Mini-Grants to Put Ideas into Action
FCCF had the brilliant idea to take the training a step further. Following the training, participating grantees received mini-grants from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation to implement their own voter engagement projects.
These mini-grants allow organizations to put what they learned into practice—whether that means hosting voter registration events, sharing election information with clients, integrating civic engagement into programming, or developing creative outreach strategies tailored to their communities.
By pairing training with funding, the initiative helps ensure that nonprofits not only gain knowledge but also have the resources needed to take action. A follow up session is scheduled to check in on the progress of and provide additional support to participating organizations.
Philanthropy’s Role in a Healthy Democracy
This partnership highlights the growing role philanthropy can play in supporting civic participation. By investing in nonprofit voter engagement, foundations can strengthen both nonprofit capacity and community voice.
When nonprofits are equipped to help their communities register, learn about elections, and make their voices heard, everyone benefits. Communities become more informed, participation expands, and the policies that shape people’s lives are more representative of the public.
We’re grateful to Fairfield County’s Community Foundation for their leadership in supporting this work and to the dedicated grantees who are bringing voter engagement directly to their communities.
Through partnerships like this, philanthropy can help ensure that every community has the opportunity—and the support—to participate in our democracy.
