Democracy is not a spectator sport.
The democratic process gives us the opportunity to shape our communities — but to do so, it requires us to be well-informed and fully engaged in the election process, and to have equitable access to voting.
That’s why the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is joining with other trusted philanthropic organizations and nonprofits to shine a spotlight on the importance of supporting democracy during this pivotal election year — and always.
Take nonpartisan action
Community Foundation President and CEO Richard (Ric) DeVore is joining forces with other southeast Michigan foundation leaders to reinforce how we can support democracy together.
The foundations are encouraging Michiganders to get involved in nonpartisan ways such as signing up as a poll worker to organizing town halls and candidate meet-and-greets, joining voter turnout efforts, and learning about updated election rules. It’s incumbent on all of us to do what we can to support our democracy as it comes under threat from disinformation via social media, artificial intelligence and other means.
Prioritize reliable information
Community Foundation Board of Trustees member Barbara McQuade, a scholar and legal analyst, has been ahead of this issue. Earlier this year, she published a book called “Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America.” The New York Times bestseller explains how disinformation hurts our democracy and suggests ways we can combat it, including by supporting local journalism.
The Community Foundation has been a leader on this front. Since 2017, our Detroit Journalism Engagement Fund — a partnership with the Knight Foundation and the Ford Foundation — has distributed more than $1.8 million to 47 journalism-related projects in southeast Michigan that strengthen the local news ecosystem. This investment allows our community partners to provide accurate, accessible, culturally relevant information that is vital for an engaged citizenry.
Invest in democracy
We also have supported community partners that provide nonpartisan voter education, ensure updated election laws are implemented properly, and increase equitable access to voting.
One $50,000 grant from the Community Foundation’s unrestricted Southeast Michigan Forever Fund to the American Civil Liberties Union Fund of Michigan will help clerks implement updated election laws that make voting easier and more inclusive. The grant will cover 56 communities — especially those with large historically marginalized populations — throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.
Another grant for $75,000 from the Michigan Justice Fund, managed by the Community Foundation, will help the Voting Access for All Coalition provide voter education to people impacted by the criminal legal system, and encourage them to become lifelong voters.
These are just a few examples of how nonprofits throughout southeast Michigan are supporting democracy to ensure our region is a place where everyone thrives. Philanthropic leaders who want to invest in this type of work can reach out to our Donor Services team at donorservices@cfsem.org or 313-961-6675 to learn more.
Let’s use our voices to encourage everyone to do their part. The future of our country depends on it.
This story was first published in the 2024 Summer REPORT newsletter.