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The ongoing economic downturn has made the politics of being in power very tough for Democrats and the White House. While the talking heads argue incessantly about the root cause of the recession, high unemployment numbers, stagnant wages, disappearing pensions and a growing deficit continue to drive poll numbers down for those with their hands on the levers of the economy.
However, one thing that gets talked about less is that it's also making life difficult for the myriad of non-profit and advocacy organizations that are trying to push a progressive agenda.
Foundation money, large individual contributions and small donor donations have all dropped off significantly since the recession began. Small, mid-size and large progressive groups are struggling to keep their staff and maintain their level of work...the exact moment when their advocacy and voices might be able to make the biggest difference in a generation.
I've spent a lot of my career helping build a progressive infrastructure that can move ideas, develop leaders, and push an agenda from the grassroots level...including founding and consulting with a lot of the organizations that are struggling right now. These are organizations that often times work behind the scenes but can be credited with helping lay the foundation for a wide range of progressive successes over the years.
But, the truth is that as hard as it is, sustainable organizations have to find ways to raise resources even when it's tough.
One example is an effort being led by a small set of progressive groups (including a couple that I helped start) that are taking a creative approache to funding their work this year. Led by the Center for Progressive Leadership, there is a group of 11 progressive non-profits who are joining together to compete for over $750,000 in funding in an online giving contest called Pepsi Refresh Everything.
While I ordinarily don't recommend contests like this to organizations I work with, Pepsi is giving away some serious money and the groups involved have a great shot at winning. Moreover, if it works, CPL is going to put together slates for every month throughout the rest of the contest (which could mean raising over $8 million for progressive organizations).
The groups on the slate include organizations that are working to mobilize young voters, coordinate progressive efforts at the state level, improve access to college, promote healthy eating, provide legal and advocacy support for low-income communities, and fight homelessness.
It's important work that needs to happen, now more than ever. We need to focus on short-term policy successes but we also need to remember that this is a long-term game and we need the infrastructure in place to win it.
If you want to help, you don't have to donate any money. All you have to do is sign-up to be a daily voter for the Progressive Slate in August.
Daily voters receive a short email each morning in the month of August with a link where you can go and cast 10 votes each day for all the organizations on the Progressive Slate (that's what they're calling all of our groups working together).
It's a simple, easy way to get some corporate money into progressive hands.
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