Giving Compass' Take:
- Taryn Palumbo discusses the critical role of nonprofit voter engagement efforts in improving voting access for marginalized communities.
- What can donors and funders do to encourage nonprofits to get out the vote in the communities they serve?
- Learn more about strengthening democracy and how you can help.
- Search our Guide to Good for nonprofits focused on democracy in your area.
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Nonprofits exist in communities across the country, and there are more than 1.8 million nonprofits registered in the U.S. No matter their mission, from early childhood and education to hunger and housing, nonprofits can play a vital role in shaping a more inclusive democracy through nonprofit voter engagement efforts. Yet, in an annual review conducted of nonprofits, only 13% of nonprofits reported engaging voters in 2022.
Nonprofit voter engagement provides a powerful opportunity to reverse a persistent trend in election day turnouts: Those casting a ballot are not representative of the broader population.
Take California, for example. In a state where no one race or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population, "six in 10 California likely voters are white, [and] only 19% are Latino," according to the Public Policy Institute of California. It’s often the individuals most in need—especially low-income families and people of color who face disproportionate levels of poverty, language isolation and educational attainment challenges—who do not have fair and equal representation at the ballot box.
Nonprofit voter engagement efforts can serve as a crucial link to help these underrepresented groups participate in democracy. Already trusted community members, nonprofits are attuned to the challenges and needs of those they serve and thus well-positioned to break down barriers that limit access to voting. They have the ability to reach individuals who have been written off by political get-out-the-vote campaigns for reasons pertaining to their race, income level, age, or voting history.
Not only is it safe and legal for nonprofits to encourage voting, but it’s also necessary. In fact, Independent Sector reported that "seven out of 10 voters (71%) think it is a good idea for nonprofits to offer voter support services" that get people to the polls.
Whether on the national, state or local level, actions taken by nonprofits to get out the vote are making a difference. At Orange County Grantmakers, we are pleased to support another organization in Southern California, Charitable Ventures, on its OC Votes initiative.
Read the full article about nonprofit voter engagement efforts by Taryn Palumbo at Forbes.