Suddenly, There’s A Lot Funders Can Do To Increase Turnout

The past few weeks have been an exciting time for anyone committed to increasing democratic participation in November. Voter registration numbers are rising, and registered voters who previously wouldn’t commit to voting are now telling pollsters they’ll definitely cast ballots this fall. For funders, this wave of enthusiasm means new opportunities — and an imperative to make sure that everyone who wants to make their voice heard is able to do so.  

The Excitement Is Real.

Consider this: In July 2024, over 100,000 people used Vote.org’s online voter registration tool to register to vote, even though previously the year had been off to a slow start. Nearly 85% of those new voters were under 35, and 18-year-old voters alone made up 18% of new registrants in July. 

This wave of enthusiasm has spread beyond young voters. According to a CBS/YouGov poll from early August 2024, 74% of Black registered voters and 75% of Latine registered voters say that they definitely will cast a ballot this fall, and 68% of voters under 30 say they will definitely vote. In July, only 58% of Black voters said that they definitely would vote. 

There’s Been a Vibe Shift. But Vibes Don’t Vote.

This fall, BIPOC voters will face greater challenges to voting than anything our country has experienced in decades. Black voters will face voter suppression laws that microtarget communities of color while hateful disinformation will falsely allege voter fraud by immigrants. A wave of voter suppression laws after the 2013 Shelby v. Holder decision, which gutted the Voting Rights Act, led to an 18 percentage point gap in turnout between white and BIPOC voters in the 2022 midterm elections. For many voters, the question is no longer whether they would like to cast a ballot—it’s whether, in the face of these new obstacles, they’ll be able to.  

Civic Engagement Programs Can Counter Voter Suppression — And Can Be Supported With Tax-Deductible Funds.

By supporting civic engagement programs that counter voter suppression and fight disinformation, funders can translate this summer’s enthusiasm into votes this fall. Tides Foundation’s Healthy Democracy Fund is supporting over 110 organizations to get out the vote among BIPOC communities, young people, and low-income people this fall and to continue organizing and shifting power for the long haul. 

With generous contributions from donors to the Healthy Democracy Fund, here’s a snapshot of the work that we’re supporting: 

Organizing Young Voters in Michigan

Young people need to be continually engaged to believe in the political process and learn how the electoral system works and why their vote matters. Detroit Action is launching the Michigan Student Action Campus Plan to organize young voters on 20 campuses across the state year-round, every year. Each campus will have fellows who will build a volunteer network for that region to assist with canvassing goals, building relationships, managing a student organization, planning and executing events, and mobilizing students to vote. 

Engaging Rural Voters in North Carolina

In North Carolina, New Rural Project is encouraging voter turnout in Hoke and Scotland County, which are rural counties with high Black and Native American populations. They are expanding their beauty salon conversations, called Cultivating Unified Relationships with Ladies for Success (CURLS), and the New Rural Project is promoting Medicaid expansion through health fairs. 

Removing Language Barriers in Pennsylvania

CASA in Action has hired organizers and canvass teams in Pennsylvania to promote vote by mail, register Latine voters, and recruit volunteer poll guardians on Election Day. Language access can be make or break for immigrant voters. CASA in Action is organizing members to engage with county election board to ensure voting materials are provided in Spanish. 

Educating Voters Around Clean Energy in Wisconsin

Since 2023, Wisconsin Conservation Voters has been canvassing homeowners about how they can use the clean energy plan in the Inflation Reduction Act, knocking on almost 329,000 doors and having over 48,000 conversations. They’re also building a story bank highlighting how individuals, organizations, and local governments are benefitting from the Inflation Reduction Act and are beginning to share those stories at events, through earned media, and in digital ads.

Increasing Latine Voter Participation for Nevada’s Reproductive Rights Ballot Measure

Make the Road Action Nevada is hiring 200 outreach specialists to cover Clark, Washoe, and rural counties to increase voter participation among Latine voters for the reproductive rights ballot measure. These outreach specialists will knock on doors, make phone calls, send text messages, and attend community events, to educate and engage the community on the importance of voting and turning out friends and family to vote. 

 All five of these organizations are 501(c)(4)s—and all five of these nonpartisan projects have been funded by the Healthy Democracy Fund. 

Enthusiasm Makes Turnout Possible. Money Makes it Happen.

The Healthy Democracy Fund has made a total of $20 million in grants this year, and $13 million of that sum went to support the nonpartisan projects of 501(c)(4) organizations and ballot measure campaigns. Tax deductible funds can resource these types of projects as well as nonpartisan voter education, election protection, vote by mail, get out the vote, and much more. 

With your help, we can ensure that every voter has a say in our nation’s future. Now is the time to make sure that this summer’s vibes translate into real votes this fall.