The Pennywise VoteWise program offers multi year, strategic support to small grassroots voting rights organization 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.
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
Since the last general election cycle Pennywise has offered over $100,000 in grants to predominantly BIPOC led, grassroots voting rights advocacy organizations operating in states around the country.
Since we got to work early and have been working in the voting access space consistently for the past several years we have positioned ourselves to offer impactful support that will help individuals access their right to vote in the 2024 general election.
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
Since the last general election cycle Pennywise has offered over $100,000 in grants to predominantly BIPOC led, grassroots voting rights advocacy organizations operating in states around the country.
Since we got to work early and have been working in the voting access space consistently for the past several years we have positioned ourselves to offer impactful support that will help individuals access their right to vote in the 2024 general election.
Our partners
What's next?
Go time!
In the final lead up to the unbelievably high staked November general election we will redouble our efforts to engage our community in the broader struggle for free and fair elections. We will continue to support our multi-year partners and we will identify new partners working to increase access to voting in underserved communities around the country. We will then build on these relationships year over year leading to our having an even stronger network of allied partners by 2028.
Raising critical funds!
This summer Pennywise has launched our largest VoteWise fundraising drive to date. We are continuing to match all donations being made to the program until November 5, 2024 (up to $30,000). We have leveraged more than $22,000 for this effort in the past two months
Giving critical funds!
Pennywise is dedicated to making grants in the coming months that will directly support boots on the ground, get out the vote organizations in several states including Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. We will also support organizations working at the intersection of voting rights and other critical issues that will be impacted by the 2024 election. We are committed to at least a grant a month, each month leading up to November
In the final lead up to the unbelievably high staked November general election we will redouble our efforts to engage our community in the broader struggle for free and fair elections. We will continue to support our multi-year partners and we will identify new partners working to increase access to voting in underserved communities around the country. We will then build on these relationships year over year leading to our having an even stronger network of allied partners by 2028.
Raising critical funds!
This summer Pennywise has launched our largest VoteWise fundraising drive to date. We are continuing to match all donations being made to the program until November 5, 2024 (up to $30,000). We have leveraged more than $22,000 for this effort in the past two months
Giving critical funds!
Pennywise is dedicated to making grants in the coming months that will directly support boots on the ground, get out the vote organizations in several states including Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. We will also support organizations working at the intersection of voting rights and other critical issues that will be impacted by the 2024 election. We are committed to at least a grant a month, each month leading up to November
What Can You Do?
- Support VoteWise
- Support candidates and campaigns that are most important to you,
- Make sure you are registered to vote
- Understand what is at stake
- VOTE
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.