For Grantee Partners
Given the complex and interconnected nature of our democratic system, no one organization can pull all the levers necessary to advance the change we wish to see. Grantmaking allows Democracy Fund to empower a range of changemakers within the system, test and iterate new ideas, convene aligned partners and donors, and scale promising initiatives.
Drawing on our deeply held values, we build relationships grounded in mutual respect, humility, and a spirit of working together. We look for opportunities to act as a convener and a bridge builder and to add value to the field beyond the dollars we invest.
Please note that Democracy Fund does not accept unsolicited proposals.
Our Process
Democracy Fund aims to play a catalytic role in improving our political system through grantmaking. We typically make a substantial investment in the success of our grantee organizations. Please note that Democracy Fund policy allows up to 10 percent of university project expenses to be for indirect costs. We proactively seek new grants based on strategic priorities and typically identify new grantee partners from within our network of allies and contacts. We work closely with grantee partners to help them achieve their goals. To have the greatest impact, we invest according to a specific set of criteria:
Alignment
We look for organizations aligned with our mission of making democracy work better. We seek nonprofit organizations that use innovative approaches that are in keeping with our three programs and strategic priorities.
Impact
We identify organizations that produce significant outcomes by influencing practices among existing institutions, shifting incentives and behavior of political leaders, building effective sectors, and altering public attitudes and behavior.
Potential for Scale
We look for organizations with significant growth potential, and the ability to scale operations to influence the lives of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people. We prefer to work with nonprofits that are on a path toward operational sustainability where possible.
Leadership
We invest in management teams with a proven track record in their field of operation and an ability to articulate a clear vision and strategy, reinforced by a viable business plan. The organization must practice exemplary governance with operational efficiency and controls, transparent practices, and disciplined financial planning.
Innovation
We seek organizations that employ creative, entrepreneurial strategies to accomplish their goals. Grantees may disrupt the status quo, establish a new paradigm, or pioneer services for untapped markets.
Partnering for Results
We invest in the success of our grantee partners, collaborating with them to achieve shared goals while learning together. As appropriate to each partnership, Democracy Fund team can help:
- Provide knowledge on topics where we have expertise or experience;
- Support capacity building in key areas, such as strategy, management, operations, human resources, legal matters, and communications;
- Make introductions to relevant contacts in our network who might offer useful insights, practices, or resources;
- Connect grantee partners to help them pursue synergies, build relationships, and share ideas.
Through each partnership, we expect to generate deeper understanding of the systems we seek to influence to improve democracy. We therefore value the mutual learning opportunities inherent in each investment we make. We encourage all grantees and potential grantees to explore our grants database to identify opportunities for collaboration.
GRANT TOTALS
Democracy Fund champions the leaders and organizations who defend democracy and challenge it to be more open and just. We are proud to have supported more than 400 organizations doing this work.
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$275m
Made in grants
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400+
Organizations supported
Grantmaking at Democracy Fund
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In 2020, our Digital Democracy portfolio (DDP) wanted to find a way to learn more about our grantees’ challenges while also being mindful of their… -
Last year, Democracy Fund partnered with the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) to conduct our third Grantee Perception Report. This work builds on previous surveys…
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Philanthropy’s typical “wait and see” approach has proven to be too little, too late for fast-moving election cycles. With primary elections underway, the pro-democracy organizations…
Grantee Portal
If you’re already a Democracy Fund grantee, you can log in to the grantee portal below or read our instructions for creating an account.
Contact Us
We welcome your questions and feedback; reach out to learn more about our work.
Learn more about Democracy Fund
What We Do
Democracy Fund strengthens and defends democracy through four core programs: Elections and Voting, Governance, Just and Inclusive Society, and Public Square.
Learn more about what we do
Who We Are
Democracy Fund was created in 2014 by eBay founder and philanthropist Pierre Omidyar. We’re working to build an inclusive, multiracial democracy that is open, just, resilient, and trustworthy.
Learn more about who we are
How We Learn
We are committed to driving lasting impact and we understand that moving towards our vision of an inclusive, multi-racial democracy demands innovative strategies and regular adaptation.
Our strategy, impact, and learning process