Many believe that the voice of everyday people is undermined by the influence of money in our political system. FCCP’s Money in Politics Working Group addresses this issue by providing a critical hub for grantmakers seeking to better understand the money-in-politics field, explore how it intersects with civic engagement issues, and discuss strategies being advanced by advocates on the ground. We provide an ideal space for funders to share information, engage in strategic discussion, and receive tools to inform grantmaking strategies.
In addition, MIP:
- Builds philanthropic knowledge through funder-driven webinars, convening sessions and strategy meetings
- Breaks down issue silos by helping grantmakers connect money in politics to their grantmaking
- Advises and supports programming organized in other philanthropic spaces and collaborates with affinity group partners
As a working group member, you will join a diverse community of funders who work together to explore challenges and opportunities, and ultimately engage in more robust, strategic and effective money-in-politics grantmaking.
Background
In 2010, the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision ushered in an era of campaign finance deregulation and served as a wake up call to the philanthropic community. As the Court dismantled long-standing protections against undue influence in politics through this decision and other rulings, it also became clearer that the increasing impact of big, secret money in politics would mean an uphill battle for policy victories on behalf of ordinary Americans. In fact, it will be difficult to move the needle on the environment, health care, voting rights —really, any issue—if the landscape remains the same.
Since its founding in 2011, the MIP Working Group has grown dramatically as an increasing number of philanthropic leaders understand that we must fight to reform our democracy if we want to win meaningful public policy on the issues we care about. At the local, state and national levels, grantmakers and grantees are rising to this challenge, channeling the growing public awareness of the problem into positive change. Within the MIP Working Group, funders are connecting across a range of solutions, from state ballot work and jurisprudence strategies to democracy reform.
Clearly, the 2016 presidential election has ushered us into a new political reality. Much of what the movement has been fighting for now must also be coupled with more government accountability, government transparency, and robust plans to ensure that everyone has a voice in our democracy. It has never been more pressing than it is now to reduce barriers to participation and ensure fair opportunities and political power for everyone.
Today, democracy reform groups better understand the need to stand with issue organizers working for the public good. Funders have an opportunity to bridge these two worlds. By working together and being smart and strategic with field resources and philanthropic dollars, we can move both of these efforts forward: a win for those advancing their issue and a win for democracy.