Nonprofit VOTE is pleased to release America Goes to the Polls 2014, the latest edition in our series of biennial reports on voter turnout. America Goes to the Polls 2014 uses official election data to rank voter turnout in the 50 states and looks at major factors underlying voter participation in this historically low turnout election. Just 36.6% of... read more
Last month, I took the helm as the new executive director of Nonprofit VOTE, following founder George Pillsbury who is staying on as a senior consultant. I am thrilled about this exciting opportunity and I look forward to applying my 20 years of experience in the field to the important work of Nonprofit VOTE. Nonprofits stand at a unique intersection... read more
We are pleased to announce Brian Miller as Nonprofit VOTE’s new Executive Director. Brian succeeds founder and previous Executive Director, George Pillsbury, who has transitioned into a senior consultant role. A seasoned nonprofit leader, Brian has two decades of executive director experience and a strong background and track record in program management,... read more
Nonprofit VOTE has update our factsheet series for 2014! Get the latest on candidate appearances, ballot measures, what staff can do, and more. In addition to our general factsheet series, we’ll also be releasing a new series in July on the Benefits of Voting. However, the first installment, Voting and Health: 5 Reasons It’s Good for You,... read more
Earlier this year, Nonprofit VOTE submitted comments to the IRS regarding proposed changes to the political activities of 501(c)(4) organizations. This month, Adler & Colvin began publishing a list of the Top 25 Comments on the IRS Proposed Political Activity Rules. Nonprofit VOTE was number 18, along with Project VOTE and Rock the Vote. IRS Commissioner... read more
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... read more
Be prepared (and get excited!) about Election Day by joining Nonprofit VOTE for a special web event: Nonprofits Get Out the Vote! Countdown to Election DayThursday, October 11th at 2:00pm EasternThe final weeks leading up to an election are critical for voters, and during that time the potential to impact turnout is enormous. Learn more during this... read more
We’re pleased to debut our “Vote November 6” poster design for 2012! Order yours by signing up to support voting November 6th! You can choose to receive just the poster or a full “Vote November 6” kit which includes a poster, button, and stickers to help your nonprofit promote the election. After ordering a copy, download... read more
Yesterday’s webinar, Ready, Set, Register: Nonprofit Voter Registration, is now available. Thank you to Isela Gutiérrez-Gunter from Democracy North Carolina for joining us to discuss how your nonprofit can raise participation rates in 2012 by registering voters. Watch the presentation on YouTube. If you subscribe to our channel, you’ll... read more
There’s still time to register for Thursday’s webinar! Ready, Set, Register: Nonprofit Voter Registration Thursday August 2nd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Registering to vote is the first step to becoming an active and engaged voter. In 2008, nine out of ten registered voters cast a ballot; among those who did not vote, many reported that they... read more
Yesterday’s webinar, Nonprofits and Election Protection: Our role in helping our communities vote November 6, is now available. Thank you to Eric Marshall from the Lawyers’ Committee for joining us to discuss how your nonprofit can help ensure that your community members have the information and resources they need to successfully cast a... read more
November is only a few months away! Help register your clients and community members to vote and ensure that their voices are heard in 2012! Register to learn more: Ready, Set, Register: Nonprofit Voter Registration Thursday August 2nd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Registering to vote is the first step to becoming an active and engaged voter. In 2008, nine... read more
In addition to helping clients register to vote, nonprofits can play a critical role in ensuring our communities can actually cast a ballot. Nonprofits and Election Protection Thursday July 26th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Your nonprofit can help ensure that your clients, constituents, and community members have the information and resources they need... read more
Endorse voting November 6 and get your free poster, buttons, and stickers! As 501(c)(3) nonprofits we can’t endorse candidates, but we can endorse voting. Join Nonprofit VOTE’s 2012 “Vote November 6” campaign by endorsing voting! The nonprofit sector can spread a simple yet effective message: Vote November 6. Together we can... read more
The only way to ensure that your clients and constituents can vote in November is to make sure they’re registered! Join us on Thursday for: National Voter Registration Day: How to Get Involved Thursday July 12th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern On September 25th, 2012 thousands of nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers across the country will band together... read more
Don’t let uncertainty keep you on the sidelines this year! There’s still time to register for Thursday’s webinar: What Nonprofit Staff Can Do: Voter Engagement at Work and Off the Clock Thursday June 28th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Outside of work, nonprofit employees are free to volunteer for political campaigns or engage in other partisan... read more
Working for a nonprofit that does nonpartisan voter engagement work doesn’t limit employees’ ability to do other political work on their own time. Learn how to differentiate between the two during: What Nonprofit Staff Can Do: Voter Engagement at Work and Off the Clock Thursday June 28th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Outside of work, nonprofit... read more
If you want to engage candidates but don’t have the time to organize a candidate forum, consider inviting candidates to appear at your organization or an event you’re hosting. Our newest factsheet covers how to ensure that candidate appearances at your nonprofit stay nonpartisan and balanced under any circumstances: whether you invite candidates... read more
There’s still time to register for this week’s webinar! If you’ve already registered, consider inviting a friend or spreading the word among your networks–we want every nonprofit to feel comfortable engaging in ballot measure activities this year! Taking a Stand: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits Thursday May 10th, 2:00-3:00pm... read more
This month we’re hosting two webinars! The first is the perfect opportunity to brainstorm ways to use ballot measures to educate your clients and further your public policy goals. Taking a Stand: Ballot Measure Advocacy for Nonprofits Thursday May 10th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Many states put laws, constitutional amendments, and referendums on the... read more
Yesterday’s webinar, Being Nonpartisan: 501(c)(3) Guidelines for Voter Engagement Work, is now available! You can watch the presentation on YouTube, and 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... read more
There’s still time to register for this week’s webinar on guidelines for staying nonpartisan while doing voter engagement work! Register now! Being Nonpartisan: 501(c)(3) Guidelines for Voter Engagement WorkThursday April 26th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Learn what it means to be nonpartisan and how it impacts the voter engagement efforts of... read more
Want to give voter engagement a try, but aren’t completely sure what it means to be nonpartisan? Register for our April webinar and find out! Being Nonpartisan: 501(c)(3) Guidelines for Voter Engagement WorkThursday April 26th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Learn what it means to be nonpartisan and how it impacts the voter engagement efforts of nonprofits.... read more
Nonprofit VOTE is part of National Voter Registration Day, a nationwide initiative to register all eligible voters on September 25, 2012! In 2008, 6 million people failed to cast a ballot either because they didn’t know how to register to vote or they missed the deadline. But in 2012, we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote. On... read more
Nonprofit VOTE has redesigned our Find Resources section to make it easier than ever to locate resources on the topics that interest you! With this system, you can quickly browse all of our guides, factsheets, posters, external links, webinars, and other materials on a particular subject to find what you need. Our materials are divided into nine... read more
Earlier this month, Susan Dreyfus, the president and CEO of the Alliance for Children and Families–one of Nonprofit VOTE’s national partners–blogged about the importance of voter engagement in the nonprofit community. With November speeding toward us, she urged the sector to consider how it will help ensure that all Americans can... read more
There’s still time to register for this weeks’ webinar! Nonpartisan Voter Participation Basics for NonprofitsThursday March 22nd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Join us for an introduction to nonprofit voter engagement work! We’ll cover the basics–like voter registration, voter education, candidate engagement, and get-out-the-vote efforts–and... read more
Thinking about getting started with voter engagement? Register now for our March 2012 webinar: Nonpartisan Voter Participation Basics for NonprofitsThursday March 22nd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Join us for an introduction to nonprofit voter engagement work! We’ll cover the basics–like voter registration, voter education, candidate engagement,... read more
One of our newest national partners, the Coalition on Human Needs (CHN) is an alliance of national organizations working to promote public policies that address the needs of low-income and other vulnerable people. Like many nonprofits involved in advocacy and public policy work, CHN believes that voter engagement complements these efforts. The Coalition... read more
There’s still time to register for this week’s webinar! States Move to Restrict Voting: How Nonprofits Can Defend the Right to VoteThursday February 23rd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Last year there was an unprecedented nationwide effort to pass legislation that creates voter registration barriers and limits access to the polls. Unfortunately,... read more
Inspired by the impressive work of their peers, countless nonprofits are doing voter engagement outreach for the first time this year. Many organizations are spreading the word by including voter engagement panels and breakout sessions at their annual conferences or inviting guest speakers to special events. Jump start this important conversation in... read more
Register now for our February 2012 webinar! States Move to Restrict Voting: How Nonprofits Can Defend the Right to VoteThursday February 23rd, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Last year there was an unprecedented nationwide effort to pass legislation that creates voter registration barriers and limits access to the polls. Unfortunately, that effort continues... read more
The general election will be here before you know it, so to help you prepare we’re hosting a webinar every month until November. We’ll cover a variety of voter engagement topics to ensure you know how to conduct registration drives, educate voters, and get out the vote–all while staying nonpartisan! Remember, our webinars are free... read more
To help you prepare for this year’s election, we’ve updated and expanded our factsheet series! In addition to information on 501(c)(3) permissible activities and working with candidates, we have new factsheets on: Election Day Registration, explaining what it is, which states have it, and how it helps voters keep their registration current. Expanding... read more
Thank you to everyone who joined yesterday’s webinar, Plan Ahead: Building a Voter Engagement Timeline for 2012! If you have additional questions for our featured presenter, Jeff Narabrook of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, you can contact him directly at jnarabrook@minnesotanonprofits.org. The webinar is now available on YouTube along with... read more
There’s still time to register for Thursday’s webinar! With 2012 underway, it’s important for your nonprofit to think about how you plan to register, educate, and engage voters. Join us for: Plan Ahead: Building a Voter Engagement Timeline for 2012Thursday January 26th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern In this webinar we’ll discuss when,... read more
Most of your New Year’s Resolutions are already set (and maybe even broken), but we have one more that can’t wait until next year. In 2012 we’ll elect the president, 33 U.S. senators, every member of the House of Representatives, and countless others in state and local races. 220 million Americans will be eligible to vote–including... read more
We’d like to welcome two of our newest national partners, The National Community Tax Coalition (NCTC) and the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), to the Nonprofit VOTE network.The National Community Tax Coalition and its 2,100 member organizations offer free tax preparation and financial services to low-income families. NCTC is the... read more
We’re pleased to announce that Nonprofit VOTE is now on YouTube! In an effort to make our materials more accessible, our entire webinar library is now available on our YouTube channel. Although our 2011 webinar series has concluded, the presentations–as well as webinars from past years–can be viewed on demand at your convenience.... read more
With the holidays upon us, only a handful of people are giving the 2012 election much thought, and chances are they have a January primary. Although many people are preoccupied with carols, ice skating, hot cocoa, and vacation, there are still plenty of opportunities to sneak voter registration into the fun (without any extra effort)! Wondering how?... read more
There’s still time to register for this week’s webinar (and our final one of 2011). We’ll help you start planning for next year’s general election and how your nonprofit can maximize your impact with the resources you already have. Plan Ahead: Building a Voter Engagement Timeline for 2012Thursday December 1st, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern The... read more
In honor of Thanksgiving, we wanted to share just a few of the many things Nonprofit VOTE is grateful for this year. We’re thankful for… Our amazing network of state and national partners and their commitment to expanding nonprofit voter engagement among their affiliates. Election Day Registration because it ensures that everyone who wants... read more
Our final webinar of 2011 will start you thinking about next year’s general election and how your nonprofit can maximize your impact with the resources you already have. Plan Ahead: Building a Voter Engagement Timeline for 2012Thursday December 1st, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern The 2012 presidential election will be here soon, and it’s time to start... read more
We’re pleased to announce that our new voter turnout report, Voter Participation Gaps in the 2010 Midterm Election, is now available! It is the latest in our America Goes to the Polls series, and is based on the newly released biennial Census survey on voting and registration. The report tracks, analyzes, and explains income, age, education, and... read more
Thanks to everyone who joined last week’s webinar, the ABCs of Nonpartisan Voter Registration for Nonprofits! The presentation and associated materials are now available: Watch the presentation online (with audio) or download the PowerPoint and audio file. If you have additional questions about voter registration, please feel free to contact... read more
There’s still time to register for our September voter registration webinar! The ABCs of Nonpartisan Voter RegistrationThursday September 29th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Registering to vote is the first and most necessary step to becoming an active and engaged voter. This webinar will explain how your nonprofit can conduct effective, nonpartisan... read more
We’d like to welcome our newest partner, Lutheran Services in America, to the Nonprofit VOTE network. Lutheran Services in America and their 300 health and human services affiliates offer an array of services including health care, aging and disability support, community development, housing, and child and family strengthening. Every year,... read more
As you may have heard, September is our favorite voter registration month, and it’s this month’s webinar topic too! The ABCs of Nonpartisan Voter RegistrationThursday September 29th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Registering to vote is the first and most necessary step to becoming an active and engaged voter. This webinar will explain how your nonprofit... read more
Many states and municipalities have upcoming registration deadlines, so it’s the perfect time to talk about one of our favorite voter engagement basics–voter registration! We’re pleased to present our new Voter Registration Toolkit for Nonprofits and Social Service Agencies. This toolkit describes the role nonprofits can play in registering... read more
Yesterday Nonprofit VOTE joined MIRA and MassVOTE in registering over 1,000 new American citizens to vote following a naturalization ceremony in Boston. This effort kicked off our annual celebration of voter registration, which we traditionally highlight in September. We choose to focus on voter registration in September because many states have voter... read more
Thanks for joining yesterday’s webinar, Think Locally: The Value of Municipal and Regional Elections. The PowerPoint presentation is now available, along with the audio portion of the presentation in MP3 format. You can also watch the full presentation, including audio, online. If you have additional questions about municipal and local elections,... read more
Over the last few months members of Nonprofit VOTE’s staff have been at conferences, trainings, and events across the country to spread the word about nonprofit voter engagement. In July, Lindsey Hodel was at the Kansas Conference on Poverty where she gave a keynote speech and led a workshop. She also presented at the National Community Tax Coalition’s... read more
Although a number of states have enacted photo ID laws since January–Alabama, Kansas, Rhode Island (after days of confusion), South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, and Wisconsin–not everyone has jumped on the bandwagon. Governors have vetoed voter ID laws in Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Minnesota. Ohio is the latest... read more
Although there are no presidential candidates on the ballot this year, your nonprofit and community still have plenty to gain from participating in local elections. Think Locally: The Value of Municipal and Regional ElectionsThursday August 18th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Typically, voter turnout is significantly lower in local elections than in national... read more
Thanks to everyone who joined us for last week’s webinar Laws on the Ballot: How Nonprofits Can Take a Stand on Ballot Questions. The presentation is now available as a PDF along with the audio portion. You can also watch the presentation with audio online. If you have questions about how your nonprofit can take a stand on ballot questions, the... read more
Join Nonprofit VOTE on Thursday as we discuss techniques for organizing an effective candidate forum, how to stay nonpartisan throughout the process, and for tools to help you every step of the way. The webinar, Nonpartisan Candidate Forums: Building Political Clout for Your Nonprofit is Thursday, June 23rd at 2:00pm Eastern. Cheryl Crawford, Director... read more
We hope you can join us for this month’s webinar: Nonpartisan Candidate Forums: Building Political Clout for Your NonprofitThursday, June 23rd at 2:00pm EasternHosting a nonpartisan candidate forum gives your nonprofit the opportunity to educate candidates and the public about the issues that matter to your organization and the communities you... read more
During the 2010 midterm election, a first of its kind study assessed–and ultimately affirmed–the agency-based approach to increasing voter participation. Conducted with the support of Nonprofit VOTE and the Michigan Nonprofit Association, this new research demonstrates the effectiveness of nonprofit voter engagement efforts. The study found... read more
Many thanks to last week’s webinar attendees! We are pleased that so many joined us for Nonprofits Increase Voter Participation: New Research from the Field to hear about the importance of nonprofit voter engagement. Whether or not you were able to tune in, you can still access the materials online: download the PowerPoint and the audio portion... read more
Is your nonprofit registering new voters? Gearing up for a municipal election? Designing a candidate questionnaire? Well then let us know! At Nonprofit VOTE we love to hear from nonprofit organizations about the voter participation activities, projects, and events you’re working on, as well as why does your nonprofit participates in this work.... read more
Please join us for our upcoming webinar: Nonprofits Increase Voter Participation: New Research from the FieldThursday, May 12th at 2:00pm EasternLearn about exciting new evidence documenting the impact nonprofits have when they talk to their clients and constituents about voting. Professor Kelly LeRoux will discuss a new study that tracked the outcomes... read more
We’ve had a lot to say about the Census recently, and before we dial it back there’s one more thing Nonprofit VOTE has to get off its chest–thank you! We want to recognize nonprofits in all 50 states who worked on the Census and our Nonprofits Count! 2010 campaign. You made an incredible difference by reaching hard-to-count populations.... read more
Nonprofit VOTE is pleased to present the latest installment in our series of voter turnout reports: America Goes to the Polls 2010: A Report on Voter Turnout in the 2010 ElectionBeyond the official state-by-state turnout rankings, this report details key voting trends such as the wide gap in youth turnout, the rise in early voting, and the continued... read more
Register now for Thursday’s webinar! Power in Numbers: Putting 2010 Census Data to UseThursday, April 7th at 2:00pm EasternIf you work for a nonprofit, chances are you’ve come across or used Census data. Learn more about how you can access and use this powerful data. Whether you’re an expert at using Census data, an intermediate, or... read more
You may have noticed that we’ve changed our name from the Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network (NVEN) to Nonprofit VOTE. What’s the difference? Absolutely nothing! With the evolution of the organization we’ve decided that Nonprofit VOTE more accurately describes the structure and focus of our work. The change has been gradual, so this... read more
Earlier this month the Nonprofit Quarterly posted an article on “Nonprofits Dedicated to Making it More Difficult for People to Register and Vote.” The author rightly points out that “our nation needs people to vote,” and that’s exactly why Nonprofit VOTE exists. Because of their relationships with clients and communities–as... read more
Don’t forget to join us Wednesday for our first webinar of 2011: Getting a Seat at the Table: What Nonprofits Should Know About RedistrictingWednesday, March 16th at 2:00pm EasternRedistricting is right around the corner and critical decisions will be made that can affect our communities, our missions, and our funding for the next decade. Tune... read more
The dates are set for our first two webinars of 2011! Please join us for:Getting a Seat at the Table: What Nonprofits Should Know About RedistrictingWednesday, March 16th at 2:00pm EasternRedistricting is right around the corner and critical decisions will be made that can affect our communities, our missions, and our funding for the next decade. Tune... read more
Nonprofit VOTE would like to congratulate Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie on being elected President of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). NASS was founded in 1904 and is the oldest nonpartisan association of government officials. Ritchie succeeds Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap in the position, and was sworn... read more
A lot happened this year, and we want to thank you for the work you did on both the Census and the election. 2010 was a busy year for Nonprofit VOTE, and an opportunity to connect with many new nonprofit partners in all 50 states. We kicked off the year with our Nonprofits Count! Census campaign, inspiring nonprofits to take the lead in reaching out... read more
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Founded in 2005, Nonprofit VOTE partners with America’s nonprofits to help the people they serve participate and vote. We are the leading source of nonpartisan resources to help nonprofits integrate voter engagement into their ongoing activities and services.