Overview
The 2000 Presidential Election strongly underscored both the importance of voting and the need to protect the integrity of the electoral process. And while the recent 2008 elections demonstrated the vibracy of an engaged electorate, misinformation and special interest money still play an undue role in our democracy.
Through our Voting Integrity and Civic Engagement (VoICE) grants, we give general support to organizations that address the following:
- Voter Participation – Implementing nonpartisan strategies to improve voter education and participation.
- Election Protection – Ensuring that every eligible voter can vote, and that every ballot cast is counted.
We will accept VoICE grant proposals from organizations across the nation, particularly from areas with high concentrations of people of color at risk of disenfranchisement. Our funding priorities focus on organizations working: a) in several states under a national umbrella, b) throughout the state of California, or c) in collaboaration with San Francisco Bay Area organizations.
The IRS has strict guidelines for grants that support voter participation and registration. In order to remain in compliance with IRS regulations, we do not earmark grants for the purpose of voter registration activities; we provide general support grants to organizations whose activities include voter registration campaigns.
Similarly, we make general support grants to organizations whose activities include lobbying. Foundation-supported grants may not be earmarked to fund lobbying efforts as defined by the IRS.
