January 23rd: Making a Voter Engagement Plan

It's January, which means it's time to start making a voter engagement plan! The midterm elections are November 4th, and 35 Senate seats and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for election. At least 21 states will have state-wide ballot measures. Make sure your nonprofit is prepared by joining our January webinar:

Plan Ahead 2014: Build a Voter Engagement Timeline for Your Nonprofit 
Thursday January 23rd at 2:00pm Eastern

The 2014 midterm elections will be here soon, and it's time to start thinking about your nonprofit's plan for registering, educating, and engaging voters. In this webinar we'll discuss when, where, and how to incorporate voter engagement activities into your work. We'll also help you develop and tailor a 2014 voter engagement timeline for your organization.

Featured Presenters: Lindsey Hodel is Nonprofit VOTE's National Field Director and has more than a decade of experience in public policy advocacy, community organizing, and nonprofit civic engagement efforts in the West and nationally. She also founded the Colorado Participation Project, a roundtable of direct service nonprofits engaged in client engagement programs. Julian Johannesen is Director of Research and Training at Nonprofit VOTE where he's worked on a variety of projects including the development and delivery of training to 501(c)(3) nonprofits interested in nonpartisan voter engagement work.
  

Thank You for an Incredible 2013!

Before 2013 comes to a close, we want to a take a brief moment to thank our partners, our supporters, and nonprofits across the country for supporting voting.

2013 was an exciting year for Nonprofit VOTE:

• We debuted brand-new research on the impact of nonprofit voter engagement, including both turnout data and case studies. 
• The second annual National Voter Registration Day was once again endorsed by the National Association of Secretaries of State and embraced by secretaries of state across the country.
• We released the latest report in our America Goes to the Polls series as well as an accompanying report on voter turnout gaps. 
• We concluded another successful run of our annual webinar series, all of which can be watched anytime on our YouTube channel.

There will be plenty for nonprofits to do in 2014. In case you want to get a jump on things, you can register now for our January 23rd webinar on making a voter engagement plan.

Thank you for everything and Happy New Year from Nonprofit VOTE!

January Webinar: Making a Plan for 2014

Midterm elections are next year and 35 Senate seats will be up for election along with all 435 seats in the House of Representatives. At least 21 states will have state-wide ballot measures. Join our January webinar to ensure your nonprofit is prepared:

Plan Ahead 2014: Build a Voter Engagement Timeline for Your Nonprofit 
Thursday January 23rd at 2:00pm Eastern

The 2014 midterm elections will be here soon, and it's time to start thinking about your nonprofit's plan for registering, educating, and engaging voters. In this webinar we'll discuss when, where, and how to incorporate voter engagement activities into your work. We'll also help you develop and tailor a 2014 voter engagement timeline for your organization.

Featured Presenters: Lindsey Hodel is Nonprofit VOTE's National Field Director and has more than a decade of experience in public policy advocacy, community organizing, and nonprofit civic engagement efforts in the West and nationally. She also founded the Colorado Participation Project, a roundtable of direct service nonprofits engaged in client engagement programs. Julian Johannesen is Director of Research and Training at Nonprofit VOTE where he's worked on a variety of projects including the development and delivery of training to 501(c)(3) nonprofits interested in nonpartisan voter engagement work.
  

Webinar Materials: Nonprofits Increase Voting

Yesterday's webinar, Nonprofits Increase Voting: Findings from 2012, is now available. Many thanks to Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg of CIRCLE and Isela Gutiérrez-Gunter from Democracy North Carolina for joining us for this discussion.

Watch the presentation on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you'll be notified whenever new content is posted. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation and the audio portion of the presentation, or browse our voter turnout and research resources for more information.

Learn more about the findings in the full report Can Nonprofits Increase Voting Among Their Clients, Constituents, and Staff? An Evaluation of the Track the Vote Program.

Thursday: Nonprofits Increase Voting - Findings from 2012

There's still time to register for Thursday's webinar: 

Nonprofits Increase Voting: Findings from 2012
Thursday October 24th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

What happens when nonprofits talk to their constituents about voting? To find out, Nonprofit VOTE and its partners enlisted 94 nonprofit service providers to track their voter contacts with 33,741 individuals in seven states during the 2012 election. Afterward, CIRCLE conducted an independent analysis of voter file data to see how turnout among voters contacted by nonprofits compared to other groups. 

Join us as we discuss the impact nonprofits had on voter turnout and the populations nonprofits reached. In addition to the turnout results, we will cover key takeaways from 27 interviews with participating organizations, including the challenges they faced, their successes, and lessons learned. Don't miss out on this opportunity to find out what happens when nonprofits engage their communities around voting and to learn about strategies that worked to incorporate voter engagement into ongoing programs and services.

Featured Presenters: Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg is the Deputy Director of CIRCLE where she oversees their core research projects and produces resources and reports for various audiences, including peer-reviewed articles, reports, and factsheets. She has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. Isela Gutiérrez-Gunter is the Research Associate and Latino Outreach Coordinator at Democracy North Carolina. She has over a decade of experience at advocacy-oriented nonprofits, including work with the ACLU of Washington State and the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition. She has a BA in History from Scripps College and a MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill. George Pillsbury is the founder and Executive Director of Nonprofit VOTE.  

October Webinar: Nonprofits Increase Voting - Findings from 2012

Nonprofits Increase Voting: Findings from 2012
Thursday October 24th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

What happens when nonprofits talk to their constituents about voting? To find out, Nonprofit VOTE and its partners enlisted 94 nonprofit service providers to track their voter contacts with 33,741 individuals in seven states during the 2012 election. Afterward, CIRCLE conducted an independent analysis of voter file data to see how turnout among voters contacted by nonprofits compared to other groups. 

Join us as we discuss the impact nonprofits had on voter turnout and the populations nonprofits reached. In addition to the turnout results, we will cover key takeaways from 27 interviews with participating organizations, including the challenges they faced, their successes, and lessons learned. Don't miss out on this opportunity to find out what happens when nonprofits engage their communities around voting and to learn about strategies that worked to incorporate voter engagement into ongoing programs and services.

Featured Presenters: Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg is the Deputy Director of CIRCLE where she oversees their core research projects and produces resources and reports for various audiences, including peer-reviewed articles, reports, and factsheets. She has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. Isela Gutiérrez-Gunter is the Research Associate and Latino Outreach Coordinator at Democracy North Carolina. She has over a decade of experience at advocacy-oriented nonprofits, including work with the ACLU of Washington State and the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition. She has a BA in History from Scripps College and a MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill. George Pillsbury is the founder and Executive Director of Nonprofit VOTE.  

Webinar Materials: Voter Registration for Nonprofits

Yesterday's webinar, Ready, Set, Register: Voter Registration for Nonprofits, is now available. Many thanks to Rebecca Gorrell from the Colorado Participation Project for joining us for this discussion.

Watch the presentation on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you'll be notified whenever new content is posted. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation and the audio portion of the presentation, or browse all of our nonpartisan resources on voter registration to learn more.

Don't forget that it's National Voter Registration Month and that Tuesday September 24th is National Voter Registration Day. Visit the NVRD website to find events, view communications samples, and more.

Tomorrow: Voter Registration for Nonprofits

To help your community vote, you must first ensure that they are registered. There's still time to register for tomorrow's webinar:
 
Ready, Set, Register: Voter Registration for Nonprofits
Thursday September 12th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Voter registration is a foundational voter engagement activity. Join us to learn how your nonprofit can integrate voter registration into the work you already do. We'll discuss nonpartisan dos and don'ts, different state requirements, registration tactics, and more. We'll also cover National Voter Registration Day, coming up on September 24th.

Featured Presenter: Rebecca Gorrell is the Deputy Director of the Colorado Participation Project. She has 12 years of nonprofit management, development, and volunteer experience at organizations throughout Colorado. She has also been involved in diverse campaign and electoral efforts in Denver as a poll worker, poll watcher, and canvasser.

Next Week: Voter Registration for Nonprofits

To help your community vote, you must first ensure that they are registered. Learn more about during our next webinar:
 
Ready, Set, Register: Voter Registration for Nonprofits
Thursday September 12th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Voter registration is a foundational voter engagement activity. Join us to learn how your nonprofit can integrate voter registration into the work you already do. We'll discuss nonpartisan dos and don'ts, different state requirements, registration tactics, and more. We'll also cover National Voter Registration Day, coming up on September 24th.

Featured Presenter: Rebecca Gorrell is the Deputy Director of the Colorado Participation Project. She has 12 years of nonprofit management, development, and volunteer experience at organizations throughout Colorado. She has also been involved in diverse campaign and electoral efforts in Denver as a poll worker, poll watcher, and canvasser.

Webinar Recap: Health Insurance Enrollment and Voter Registration

Yesterday's webinar, Health Insurance Enrollment and Voter Registration for Health Centers and Other Nonprofits, is now available. Many thanks to Robert Brandon of the Fair Elections Legal Network and Marc Wetherhorn of the National Association of Community Health Centers for joining us for this discussion.

Watch the presentation on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you'll be notified whenever new content is posted. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation and the audio portion of the presentation, or browse all of our nonpartisan resources on voter registration to learn more.

Health Insurance Enrollment and Voter Registration

What does voter registration have to do with ACA enrollment? Find out during our next webinar:
 
Health Insurance Enrollment and Voter Registration for Health Centers and Other Nonprofits
Wednesday August 21st, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Starting October 1st millions of Americans will become eligible to enroll in Medicaid or a health exchange health insurance plan under the new Affordable Care Act. Join us to learn how requirements under the National Voter Registration Act will effect health centers and other nonprofit agencies involved in ACA enrollment. We'll cover how-tos and tips for conducting voter registration during enrollment and describe the support, materials, and other resources available to organizations like yours.

Featured Presenters: Robert M. Brandon, President and Co-Founder of the Fair Elections Legal Network, is a public interest attorney with more than 30 years of public policy, legal, legislative, media, and campaign experience at the federal, state, and local levels. He is also President of Robert M. Brandon and Associates, a public affairs firm that works to advance public interest and grassroots goals. Marc Wetherhorn is the Senior Director of Advocacy and Civic Engagement at the National Association of Community Health Centers where he directs their national grassroots campaign efforts. He provides training and technical assistance to primary care associations and health centers on grassroots strategy and state-based policy issues.

National Voter Registration Day Webinar Materials

Yesterday's webinar, National Voter Registration Day is September 24th, is now available. Many thanks to Emily Alsleben of the Bus Federation and Maggie Duncan from the League of Women Voters for joining us to discuss this exciting event.

Watch the presentation on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you'll be notified whenever new content is posted. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation and the audio portion of the presentation, or visit www.nationalvoterregistrationday.org to learn more.

Ballot Measure Advocacy Webinar Materials

Yesterday's webinar, Laws on the Ballot: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits, is now available. Many thanks to Nayantara Mehta of the Alliance for Justice for joining us to share her expertise.

Watch the presentation on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you'll be notified whenever new content is posted. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation and the audio portion of the presentation, or browse all of our nonpartisan resources on ballot measure education and advocacy.

Register now for next Thursday's webinar to learn how your nonprofit can participate in National Voter Registration Day on September 24th!

National Voter Registration Day Webinar

Are you ready for National Voter Registration Day? Learn more during our next webinar:
 
National Voter Registration Day is September 24th
Thursday August 1st, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

On September 24, 2013, volunteers, celebrities, and organizations from all over the country will "hit the streets" for the second annual National Voter Registration Day. This single day of coordinated volunteer, technology, and media efforts will create widespread awareness of voter registration opportunities--allowing us to reach tens of thousands of voters who would not be otherwise contacted. Join us to learn how your nonprofit can get involved, host your own voter registration event, and more.

Featured Presenters: Emily Alsleben is the National Programs Manager at the Bus Federation, where she manages the field operations of National Voter Registration Day. She also leads their national Trick or Vote efforts. Maggie Duncan serves as Elections Program Manager for the League of Women Voters of the United States and has more than a decade of political advocacy and strategic communications experience. She currently manages the League’s nationwide voter registration programs and leads their national campaign to promote a transparent and fair redistricting process.

Thursday's Webinar: Ballot Measure Advocacy

There's still time to register for Thursday's webinar. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how your nonprofit can work for or against a ballot measure:
 
Laws on the Ballot: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits
Thursday July 25th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Although nonprofits cannot support or oppose candidates, they can take a stand on ballot measures. Ballot measure advocacy is an effective way to engage and advocate for your community and its interests. Join us for details on how ballot measures--as well as amendments and referendums--provide yet another nonpartisan opportunity to connect with your audience, collaborate with partners, and build relationships--all while advancing your mission and goals.

Featured Presenter: Nayantara Mehta is Senior Counsel with Alliance for Justice in Oakland, CA. She works through the Bolder Advocacy Initiative to support nonprofit advocacy and voter engagement, to help strengthen the capacity of the public interest community to influence public policy. She provides training and technical assistance to nonprofit and foundation staff and board members around the country on the rules governing advocacy, lobbying and election activities.

National Voter Registration Day 2013

Last year's inaugural National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) was an overwhelming success. 1,100 organizations and 9,000 volunteers helped register over 300,000 voters nationwide.

Join this annual event and show your support for voter participation by helping your clients and constituents register to vote. Learn more about how your nonprofit can get involved or host an event by registering for our August 1st webinar.

National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday September 24th. Millions of people will vote this year. Will you help your community participate? Sign your organization up today!

July 25th: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits

Did you know that working for or against a ballot measure is considered lobbying (not electioneering) and is therefore a permissible activity for 501(c)(3) organizations? Learn more during our next webinar:
 
Laws on the Ballot: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits
Thursday July 25th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Although nonprofits cannot support or oppose candidates, they can take a stand on ballot measures. Ballot measure advocacy is an effective way to engage and advocate for your community and its interests. Join us for details on how ballot measures--as well as amendments and referendums--provide yet another nonpartisan opportunity to connect with your audience, collaborate with partners, and build relationships--all while advancing your mission and goals.

Featured Presenter: Nayantara Mehta is Senior Counsel with Alliance for Justice in Oakland, CA. She works through the Bolder Advocacy Initiative to support nonprofit advocacy and voter engagement, to help strengthen the capacity of the public interest community to influence public policy. She provides training and technical assistance to nonprofit and foundation staff and board members around the country on the rules governing advocacy, lobbying and election activities.

Candidate Engagement Webinar Materials

Yesterday's webinar, Candidate Engagement: Candidate Forums, Appearances and More, is now available. Many thanks to MassVOTE's Cheryl Crawford for joining us to share her expertise. 

Watch the presentation on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you'll be notified whenever new content is posted. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation and the audio portion of the presentation, or browse all of our nonpartisan resources on candidate engagement. 

In addition to candidate engagement, ballot measure advocacy and education can help your nonprofit engage your community around voting and elections. Register now for our July 25th webinar, Laws on the Ballot: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits, featuring Nayantara Mehta from the Alliance for Justice.

Thursday: Candidate Engagement for Nonprofits

There's still time to register for Thursday's webinar:
 
Candidate Engagement: Forums, Appearances and More
Thursday June 27th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Candidate engagement is one of the most effective ways your nonprofit can advocate for your community. It draws community members into the political process and also encourages voting and other civic engagement. Join us for details on hosting candidate forums, coordinating candidate appearances, sharing research with candidates, and more.

Featured Presenter: Cheryl Crawford is the Executive Director of MassVOTE and has worked for many years in communities of color advocating for voting and civil rights. At MassVOTE she directs the Democracy for Nonprofits program and the Civic Engagement Fund, which distributes seed money and provides technical support to community nonprofit organizations so that they can to make a significant commitment to voter empowerment. From 2010 to 2012, she also directed MassVOTE's Census and Redistricting Project.

June 27th Webinar: Candidate Engagement

Although nonprofits cannot support or oppose candidates for political office, there are still a number of ways to engage them on a nonpartisan basis. Learn more during our next webinar:
 
Candidate Engagement: Forums, Appearances and More
Thursday June 27th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

Candidate engagement is one of the most effective ways your nonprofit can advocate for your community. It draws community members into the political process and also encourages voting and other civic engagement. Join us for details on hosting candidate forums, coordinating candidate appearances, sharing research with candidates, and more.

Featured Presenter: Cheryl Crawford is the Executive Director of MassVOTE and has worked for many years in communities of color advocating for voting and civil rights. At MassVOTE she directs the Democracy for Nonprofits program and the Civic Engagement Fund, which distributes seed money and provides technical support to community nonprofit organizations so that they can to make a significant commitment to voter empowerment. From 2010 to 2012, she also directed MassVOTE's Census and Redistricting Project.