The Stronger Democracy Award will grant a total of $12 million to proven, scalable, and game-changing solutions that address one or more of the following key solution categories:
Voting & Elections: Implement structural reform around voting rights and access, redistricting, voting architecture, and campaign finance.
Policy Making: Strengthen legislative processes and tools to improve bipartisan relationships among politicians, increase access to policy expertise through nonpartisan think tanks and research engines, and promote the passing of policies representative of the broader electorate.
Civic Engagement: Improve civic education and participation to support citizens, communities, and society as they inform policies and hold representatives accountable.
Eligible lead applicants must be based in the United States and include:
- Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or (2) organizations, including but not limited to nonprofit organizations with fiscal sponsors/agents and/or pending federal tax exemption status.
- Civic leagues, social welfare organizations and other entities under section 501(c)(4).
- A private foundation under section 501(c)(3).
- A public or private college, junior college, university and other similar educational entity under section 501(c)(3).
Lead applicants who are 501(c)(4) organizations are required to include a 501(c)(3) organization as part of the project team that is eligible to receive funds from a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). While individuals, for-profit entities, and government agencies are not eligible to apply, these entities may be members of the applicant team led by an eligible lead applicant. Use the Organizational Readiness Tool to find out if you’re a good fit for the Award, refer to the Rules for a complete set of eligibility requirements, and please contact us with any Award-related questions.