NEO Philanthropy

Congratulations to #NEOPartner Clarissa Unger, Executive Director of Students Learn Students Vote Coalition. Clarissa was recently named as one of the 25 Civic Leaders on this year’s inaugural Democracy Heroes List. The Democracy Heroes are trailblazers, advocates, organizers, and changemakers. “These nonpartisan civic leaders are making a difference in their communities every day - each one breaking barriers and building solutions to ensure all marginalized voters have a seat in our democracy. Through honoring these heroes, our mission is to inspire participation - to illustrate that change happens every day in our communities when we show up.” Read more about Democracy Heroes and the other amazing honorees below: https://lnkd.in/g34QdV6S

Renee Bracey Sherman, co-director of #NEOPartner We Testify joined her co-author, journalist Regina Mahone, in New York City on a book tour for “Liberating Abortion” which illustrates the long racist history that brought us to this moment. “People of color have been having abortions since the dawn of time, yet our access is continuously under attack…Uncover the hidden figures who set the foundation activists and storytellers are building on today, and explain how abortion has been and remains essential to the health of our communities.” Book events are currently being held around the country. To learn more about the book described as, “a galvanizing history of abortion re-centering people of color to put forth a timely argument that we must liberate abortion for all,” and to find an event near you, click the link below. https://lnkd.in/g-6JAw46

Looking for a fascinating new podcast that might just offer some hope, especially given rising polarization and political violence? #NEOPartner, More Equitable Democracy recently launched a podcast that breaks down Northern Ireland’s elections and their proportional voting system. Listen today and dive into what they learned and how Northern Ireland's electoral model could possibly be replicated in the US. https://lnkd.in/gdBZJSVP

In a new INSIDE PHILANTHROPY story by Sarah Henry, Arianna Jimenez reminds us that building democracy doesn’t end on Election Day. Jimenez, senior vice president for democracy, gender and racial justice at THE JPB FOUNDATION says, “without longer-term engagement in states and communities, there’s not an opportunity to build the kind of power necessary to build a strong democracy that meets the needs of all communities.” JPB supports NEO’s Four Freedoms Fund which has been mobilizing resources to the “Haitian community in Ohio that’s been subject to extremist violence” and many of the groups mentioned here doing the extraordinary work are #NEOPartners and Four Freedoms Fund grantees: National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) national network comprising five grassroots groups that support and empower the Asian American community #ISAIAH in Minnesota is a great example of what an organization building for a more healthy democracy looks like. They work in deep relationship with communities, year over year. #LUCHA in Arizona. They have done deep and long-lasting work with immigrant communities there, in particular, Latino immigrants. + Arizona Center for Empowerment https://lnkd.in/gc_DbvGE

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court allowed Virginia state officials to proceed with removing roughly 1,600 voters from the state's registration lists just days before the presidential election, threatening the registration of eligible voters.  #NEOPartner, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC President and Executive Director John Yang, released the following statement:   “We are disappointed in today’s decision by the Supreme Court to allow Virginia to proceed with its eleventh-hour effort to remove voters from its registration rolls, many of whom are naturalized citizens and other eligible individuals, despite the decision by two lower courts to block that effort and the long-standing requirements of the National Voter Registration Act. We urge all voters, including those in Virginia, to check to make sure they are registered to vote where they live now and if they are not registered, to try to register in person at their voting location, if allowed. ” Read the full statement below https://lnkd.in/gckXnbkP

NEO’s own State Infrastructure Fund grantee, All Voting is Local (Georgia) made an appearance on a recent episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. The main story featured a deep dive into election subversion attempts happening at the 11th hour before Election Day. All Voting is Local’s mission is to fight voter suppression and advance pro-voter policies at the state and local level, ensuring that all Americans, particularly Black, Brown, Native American, and other historically marginalized communities, have their voices heard. Check out the segment below. https://lnkd.in/gaySxAxZ

Make sure to take time to listen to Pod for the Cause w/ an all-star lineup to talk about Protecting the Vote, Preserving Democracy. With a critical focus on modern day voter suppression in all its various forms, from voter roll purges, to voter ID laws, and from polling place closures to mis and disinformation. With host Kanya Bennett of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Leadership Conference, the guests discuss how these measures disproportionately impact our nation’s people of color, and people with disabilities, the elderly and students. Takeaway: In 2024, it’s very important that everyone has the information needed for an engaged electorate because of voter suppressive legislation which has led to increased challenges to voter eligibility. Guests include: Marcia Johnson Co-Director, Voting Rights Project Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Izzy Bronstein National Campaigns Director Common Cause Jeanette Senecal Senior Director, Mission Impact League of Women Voters Listen here: https://lnkd.in/g6jU9cHg

ICYMI Check out the fantastic feature in Essence highlighting four Amazing Black Women who are “Championing Voting Rights and Fighting Voter Suppression.” Proud that all four of the leaders’ organizations featured here are grantees of the State Infrastructure Fund at NEO Philanthropy! Marcia Johnson, @Lawyers’ Committee’s Voting Rights Project (Georgia) A. Salewa O., Pennsylvania Voice (Pennsylvania) Bianca Shaw, All Voting is Local (Wisconsin) Serena Sebring, Blueprint North Carolina (North Carolina) Prepare to be inspired by these incredible Black women “playing pivotal roles in pushing back against voter suppression tactics,” fighting disinformation, and doing the critical work of civic engagement and protecting people at the polls. https://lnkd.in/e7CrmqhX

NEO Philanthropy welcomes Kesi Foster as the newest member of the board of directors! As the Co-Executive Director of Partners for Dignity and Rights (formerly NESRI), Foster leads efforts to build a broad movement for economic and social rights, including health, housing, education and work with dignity. Foster also serves on the Board of the North Star Fund and is co-chair of the Community Funding Committee to guide grants to grassroots-based organizations. “We are overjoyed to have Kesi join the board of NEO given his breadth of experience leading movement building efforts around a range of issues,” said Michele Lord, President of NEO Philanthropy. “This is a critical time for leaders and organizations working on the frontlines of consequential issues. Our board plays an active role in ensuring the strategy and the execution are aligned to make as big of an impact as possible.” Read more about this exciting news below https://lnkd.in/gsQ682KN

Congratulations to #NEOPartner SAAVETX EF on receiving the Orchid Giving Circle Community Grant! The SAAVETX Education Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting civic engagement and education within the South Asian community in Texas. We believe in empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources needed to participate actively in the democratic process and make informed decisions. Learn more about what they do below: https://lnkd.in/g2RSYYJe