The Pennywise VoteWise program offers multi year, strategic support to small grassroots voting rights organizations that have been vetted and proven to be having outsized impacts in the communities they serve.
Why VoteWise?
Pennywise recognizes that virtually all aspects of positive social change depend on free and functional democracies. We are, therefore, committed to supporting initiatives that will protect and promote voting rights and access to voting. As always we are also committed to being strategic about that support by identifying and uplifting uniquely effective approaches to this critical work.
In recent years it has become increasingly clear that grassroots organizations are most impactful in “getting out the vote” and engaging marginalized communities in political processes. Yet, much of the philanthropic sector remains focused on high-profile state and national efforts to the detriment of these small, “boots on the ground” initiatives. These problems are exacerbated because attention and dollars ebb and flow every four years with the presidential election cycles.
We believe there is a better approach. We think donors should bring a movement-building perspective to supporting voting rights. This can be achieved by lifting up local groups and offering them reliable, year-round and multi-year funding so that they can maximize organizational capacities including stable staffing, sustainably infrastructure and access to current technology tools. We are realizing this vision through the VoteWise program.
In recent years it has become increasingly clear that grassroots organizations are most impactful in “getting out the vote” and engaging marginalized communities in political processes. Yet, much of the philanthropic sector remains focused on high-profile state and national efforts to the detriment of these small, “boots on the ground” initiatives. These problems are exacerbated because attention and dollars ebb and flow every four years with the presidential election cycles.
We believe there is a better approach. We think donors should bring a movement-building perspective to supporting voting rights. This can be achieved by lifting up local groups and offering them reliable, year-round and multi-year funding so that they can maximize organizational capacities including stable staffing, sustainably infrastructure and access to current technology tools. We are realizing this vision through the VoteWise program.
Our partners
What Have We Done so far?
Learning from the experts
We have built real relationships with expert partners like the Movement Voter Project and Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute. We meet with them regularly to better understand the landscape or grassroots voting advocacy and to identify the most promising partners and the most critical resource gaps.
Building long-term partnerships
Between 2020 and 2024 Pennywise offered nearly $200,000 in grants to BIPOC led voting advocacy organizations operating in underserved communities around the country. We will continue to cultivate our relationships with our grantee partners, offering them capacity building support as they prepare for the work ahead.
We have built real relationships with expert partners like the Movement Voter Project and Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute. We meet with them regularly to better understand the landscape or grassroots voting advocacy and to identify the most promising partners and the most critical resource gaps.
Building long-term partnerships
Between 2020 and 2024 Pennywise offered nearly $200,000 in grants to BIPOC led voting advocacy organizations operating in underserved communities around the country. We will continue to cultivate our relationships with our grantee partners, offering them capacity building support as they prepare for the work ahead.
The VoteWise Program centers on increased access to and engagement with voting for all. The Pennywise Foundation does not engage in lobbying or any other type of partisan political activities or advocacy.