Funders Committee for Civic Participation: Getting in Formation
NWHF Program Officer David Navarro
This April, half of the NWHF team hopped on a plane and headed to the big easy, New Orleans, Louisiana, for FCCP’s Annual Convening.
FCCP is the Funders Committee for Civic Participation, an innovative and thought-provoking network of funders who share an underlying conviction that all people deserve a voice in the democratic process. FCCP provides funders with a community to build connections, exchange ideas, showcase innovations and collaborate to make smart funding decisions.
These fellow funders are peers in every sense of the word. We learn from them and vice versa, whether their budgets are ten times ours or they are on the other side of the country. The opportunity to gather with peers who share our values improves our work and impact.
This year’s conference included practitioners (folks on the ground doing the work) and almost doubled attendance as a result. 380 attendees came from across the country, and we all learned about one another’s work and (no shame) stole great ideas from each other.
Highlights from Felicita, Public Affairs Manager:
Learning about the concept and long-term goals of universal voting, including meeting the author of 100% Democracy and having my book signed!
A fantastic panel about tenant unions. The panelists encouraged the audience to stop using the phrase “low propensity” and instead use “high opportunity.” I love that framing! They also mentioned that tenant unions are the new political home for non property owners - exciting!
Highlights from Jesse, President and CEO:
I enjoyed hearing more about multi-entity organizations (501(c)(3)/(c)(4)/PAC and more) with New Left Accelerator and their new report about how funders can best support that work.
We had a great dinner with all the Oregon folks: Collins Foundation, Women's Foundation of Oregon, Dancing Hearts Consulting and Morales Public Relations!
Highlights from Jen, Director of Programs:
Meeting staff from New Disabled South Rising, an emerging (501(c)(3)/(c)(4) building the power of disabled voters across 14 southern states.
Reconnecting with local and national colleagues, and muffaletta sandwiches!
Highlights from Cleo, Program Officer:
There was an inspiring panel discussion among advocates about how to fight back against felony disenfranchisement in the South. Advocates also urged funders to stop asking for a “three-year strategic plan” if they’re only going to provide one to two years of funding. There was a call for funders to invest in organizations over the long-haul.
I was excited to attend a session focused specifically on 501(c)(4) work that explored the history of Black political power in the United States, the need to support candidates well beyond their election campaign (ensuring they’re safe and have the tools and resources to be successful in office), and opportunities to promote and sustain Black political representation at the local, state and national level.