Kelsey Edwards is the Associate for the Just and Inclusive Society (JIS) Program at Democracy Fund, an independent foundation working to ensure that our political system is able to withstand new challenges and deliver on its promise to the American people. In this role, she leads the implementation of JIS’s grantmaking strategy by cultivating strong relationships with grantees, overseeing grant processes, and managing key projects. Kelsey is deeply committed to leveraging philanthropy as a tool to drive transformative social change and advance equity.
Before joining Democracy Fund, Kelsey played a key role in the development and fundraising efforts at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the nation’s oldest and largest coalition of civil rights organizations. There, she secured and managed multi-million-dollar grants, fostered relationships with donors, and led successful fundraising initiatives to support civil rights. Kelsey also previously worked at Equal Justice Works, where she managed fellowship programs for emerging attorneys, students, and community organizers pursuing careers in civil legal aid, helping to empower the next generation of legal advocates.
Kelsey holds a Master of Public Administration with a focus on Race and Social Policy, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Human Services & Social Justice from The George Washington University.