Threshold Foundation
Democracy Committee Mission Statement
The Democracy Committee works to help us better embody the spirit, and
manifest the promise of Democracy. We work to strengthen
participatory democracy and protect it from threats.
In order to be most effective with grants of the scale that we are
able to offer and represent the interests of the foundation's
membership, during the 2007-2008 funding cycle, the committee will
fund four areas of focus.
To protect our elections from fraud, error and corporate control.
To limit the influence of big money special interests on elections and
legislation.
To support the sustained empowerment of marginalized communities and
young people as change agents in the political process, through
leadership development, coalition building, and civic engagement.
Applicants should apply to ONLY ONE of the focus areas listed above.
The Committee is guided by a concern that its support is neither too
small nor too large a part of the work to be funded and therefore its
support must constitute at least five percent and not more than fifty
percent of the funded work. Grants are typically in the range of
$15,000 to $30,000.
The Committee is especially interested in project strategies that
include building broad coalitions and strategic alliances that include
atypical allies. The Committee also has a strong preference for
funding organizations that exhibit a commitment to diversity and
financial sustainability.
The Committee does not support work outside the United States, and
does not support projects whose primary purpose is election year
voter registration. The Committee has the capacity to fund non-profit
organizations organized under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal
Revenue code, as well as those organized under Section 501(c)(3).
Threshold Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity and we cannot make
grants that support partisan activity. Please do not send proposals or
materials that include activities that we cannot fund. The Democracy
Committee cannot support programs that engage in any specific voter
registration drive conducted in a manner that favors a particular
candidate or slate of candidates, and it cannot support programs that
participate in or intervene in any campaign on behalf of or in
opposition to any candidate for public office.
Apply Now to the Democracy Committee
