Strategic Grassroots Empowerment Fund

Overview:
CaPA's Strategic Grassroots Empowerment Fund works to discover and develop high-potential, hyper-local community organizations that can power ongoing, long-term voter engagement. The fund expands the electorate in critical races up and down the ballot by finding and funding organizations that are unlikely to get financial resources from national donors.

Geographic and Strategic Focus

• Geography: Targets America's structurally biased electoral system toward small towns and rural areas
• Demographics: Youth and voters-of-color will turn out to vote if invited
• Target Voters: Low-propensity and as-yet-unregistered voters

Eligible Organizations

• Small and new organizations
• Examples include groups focused on: cultural events, immigrants' rights, social services for low-income families
• 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PAC organizations, as well as all-volunteer groups

Funding Structure

Unique Financial Model:

• CaPA has a bequest from founder that allows pooling and deploying c3, c4, and PAC resources free of overhead charge or fiscal sponsorship fees
• 100% of contributed resources reach grassroots groups organizing on the ground
• Loan reserve account allows quick deployment of resources to the field upon pledge
• Funds capacity gaps and emergency needs all the way up to Election Day

CaPA's Process

1. Identify Critical Battlegrounds: Research competitive political battlegrounds
2. Map Strategic Opportunities: Analyze battlegrounds for nested races, political attention, expected expenditure
3. Build Strategic Partnerships: Develop landscape assessment of grassroots organizations through research and networking
4. Request Proposals (RFPs): Distribute RFPs to identified groups
5. Evaluate and Prioritize: Review proposals based on program strengths with diverse grassroots specialists team
6. Engage Donors: Present gaps to donors and fund best programs in key geographies
7. Support Grantees: Provide toolkits, non-financial resources, collaboration calls, mentorship
8. Continuous Monitoring: Stay updated on polling, expert analysis, news for race competitiveness
9. Gap Analysis: Provide ongoing assessment of organizing gaps for top-performing groups
10. Optimize Resource Allocation: Strategically direct new donor support to grassroots gaps through Election Day

Contact

• Email: emilia@cleanprosperousamerica.org

How to Apply

CaPA Connector Platform Process:

1. Create or Update Organization Profile on CaPA Connector:
   • Create a profile for your organization on the CaPA Connector platform
   • Update your profile at least once a year with comprehensive information about your programs and structure
   • Include details about: voter engagement work, policy advocacy, community connections, person-to-person outreach approach
2. Profile Information to Include:
   • Organization name, website, contact information
   • Mission and programs
   • Geographic focus (states and congressional districts)
   • Target constituencies and core issues
   • Community engagement actions/tactics
   • Staff and volunteer composition
   • Budget size and FTE staff
   • Leadership diversity information
3. Respond to RFPs:
   • CaPA will distribute Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to identified groups in strategic battlegrounds
   • Submit proposals in response to RFPs when distributed
4. Annual Reporting (if funded):
   • Organizations receiving $5,000 or more are required to complete annual Impact Report Form unless grant contract specifies no reporting requirements
   • Report includes: organization information updates, budget worksheet, three short-answer questions about work
   • Submit separate reports for each affiliated entity (c3, c4, PAC) if applicable

Contact for Questions

• Funding Questions: emilia@cleanprosperousamerica.org
• Profile Updates/Issues: ariana@cleanprosperousamerica.org