Who We Are
Democracy Fund is a foundation working to build an inclusive, multiracial democracy that is open, just, resilient, and trustworthy. Created by eBay founder and philanthropist Pierre Omidyar, Democracy Fund and its partner organization Democracy Fund Voice have together committed almost $425 million in grants since 2014 to support those working to strengthen our democracy.
Democracy Fund collaborates with grantees, donors, and other partners to change America’s flawed system by strengthening and expanding the pro-democracy movement, defending against anti-democratic attacks, and advancing structural change.
While our country has made great progress over the past 250 years – anchored by demands for change by people of color and other systemically oppressed communities – that progress has always been met by resistance in the form of violence, oppression, and the further manipulation of a rigged system. We have reached a dangerous inflection point in this struggle.
Only by standing up for our principles and creating a more powerful, diverse movement for an inclusive, multiracial democracy can we protect and support the dignity and freedoms of every American and respond to the most pressing challenges of our time.
Our Vision and Mission
We envision an inclusive, multiracial democracy that is open, just, resilient, and trustworthy.
To get there, Democracy Fund champions the pro-democracy leaders and organizations who work to shift power toward the people and counter efforts to undermine American democracy.
Our Core Beliefs
Democracy Fund is committed to advancing and defending a set of core beliefs — seven pillars of an open and just democracy that guide our grantmaking and shape our work.
We believe in the dignity of every individual and in the equal protection of their rights under the law.
We believe all people have intrinsic value and that bigotry in any form undermines our democracy. We must protect and preserve the rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
We believe that voting is the cornerstone of our democracy.
Every eligible American should have an equal opportunity to vote in elections that are free, fair, accessible, and secure. Voters should also have access to diverse sources of information to help them make informed judgments between candidates who reflect meaningful choices and whom voters trust to represent their interests. Further, our election system should offer candidates a level playing field. It should provide voters with confidence in the integrity of election outcomes and assurance that they have a voice in our democracy.
We believe a just and equitable political system must eliminate structural barriers to ensure historically excluded communities have meaningful influence in our democracy.
America’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths. Our democracy depends on our ability to work across our many dimensions of difference to achieve the common good. Our shameful history of enslavement and abuse toward Native communities, as well as the ongoing marginalization of groups based on their identity, diminish our nation and our politics. To achieve a just and equitable democracy, we must amplify the efforts of unjustly marginalized groups to be heard, stand against those who promote bigotry and hate, and dismantle barriers that prevent equitable representation in our political system.
We believe that constitutional checks and balances and respect for the rule of law are critical to protect against abuses of power.
First among these checks are three co-equal branches of government and a federal system of state and local governments. Respect for the rule of law and transparency of government also help ensure fair and equal treatment of all individuals and groups. Independent institutions, media, and civil society play an additional critical role in holding those in power accountable to the Constitution, the law, and the people. Finally, the public retains the right to petition or protest non-violently against those in power without fear of retaliation or severe repercussions.
We believe that a healthy democracy cannot exist without a participatory, vibrant public square, including an independent, free press.
Democracy isn’t just about Election Day. Active community engagement and a strong civic fabric improve the quality of our public life, help communities solve problems, and support civic education. Participation builds and reflects public confidence in the political system. It also signals that people believe both their voice and the institutions of our democracy matter. Robust, dynamic media inform the public, expose them to alternative viewpoints, and help them see their lives and interests reflected in our national conversation.
We believe that informed dialogue and principled compromise are essential to governing a large, diverse, and complex society like America.
At least two healthy and competitive political parties are required to check each other’s power and ensure that minority viewpoints are represented in the policymaking process. In this context, neither party holds a lock on good or bad ideas. Instead, dialogue, cooperation, and principled compromise within and between the parties produce sustainable policies that have broader support and reflect diverse perspectives and ideas — even if the process can be slow and messy.
We believe that political leaders and elected officials bear an uncommon burden to act with integrity.
In their words and actions, political leaders and elected officials should demonstrate a deep respect for democratic values, the U.S. Constitution, and the dignity of every individual. They should put the public’s best interest ahead of their own private interests and inspire confidence that they are representing their constituents. Furthermore, political leaders and elected officials should speak honestly to the people and deal in facts. For democracy to remain healthy, the people must be able to have confidence in their political leaders and institutions, and trust that our political system is fair and able to deliver on its core responsibilities.
How We Learn
At Democracy Fund, we believe our democracy is a complex, imperfect system — a work in progress. As funders, we want to be responsible with our dollars. Our strategy and learning practice helps us ensure that our grantmaking is backed by evidence. 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.
About Democracy Fund
What We Do
Democracy Fund supports the champions of our democracy, including movement leaders, activists, advocates, journalists, and public officials. We collaborate with our grantees, donors, and other partners to strengthen and expand the movement for an inclusive, multiracial democracy.
Our People
Our team is united in our efforts to create an inclusive, multiracial democracy that is open, just, resilient, and trustworthy. We are a highly collaborative group of experts, grantmakers, advocates, and strategists who believe equity is core to a healthy democracy. We are bold and curious, and we seek out diverse partners and points of view to better understand our complex world.
Meet our team
Financial Information
Democracy Fund and its partner organization Democracy Fund Voice are solely funded by Pierre Omidyar. Since 2014 the organizations have committed almost $425 million in grants to support those working to strengthen our democracy.
Here we share Democracy Fund’s most recent audited financial documents and 990s.
View financials
Democracy Fund Voice
Our partner organization, Democracy Fund Voice, is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to creating an inclusive, multiracial democracy that is open, just, resilient, and trustworthy. Democracy Fund Voice is working to shift power toward the people and counter efforts to undermine our democracy.
Go to Democracy Fund Voice
Job Openings
Democracy Fund is working to build a diverse team of people who are passionate about creating an inclusive, multiracial democracy that is open, just, resilient, and trustworthy. As we build our teams, we seek out those who will bring creativity to their work, are open to new ideas, and work best in a collaborative environment. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.