For-profit

Public Democracy

Website:

www.publicdemocracy.io/

Type:

Public Benefit Corporation

President:

Eric Sapp

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Public Democracy is a corporation that develops data and artificial intelligence systems to help advance left-of-center interests like promoting “economic equity.” From 2022 to 2023, Public Democracy Inc has received $500,000 from George Soros’s Open Society Foundations. 1 2 3 3 4

Activities and History

Public Democracy Inc. is a “public benefit corporation” that develops data and AI systems based on the interests of its “stakeholders,” which the company describes as “the community, the environment, workers, suppliers, and consumers.” 1 The group was founded by Eric Sapp, a former pastor, along with several political activists and communications professionals. 5

According to its website, Public Democracy claims to collect, store, and analyze data socioeconomic data to advocate policy that addresses “social inequality and economic justice.” 6 2

In 2020, Public Democracy was invited to the White House COVID Research Task Force, and following the pandemic it claimed to use its database to develop “better understanding around vaccine attitudes.” At the same time, it partnered with several left-of-center groups including the National Urban League, Kaiser Permanente, National Minority Quality Forum, and Fair Count. 3

Public Democracy also claims to have used its tools and data mapping to combat what it calls systemic racial bias in health care and to create policy insights into “BIPOC vaccine hesitancy and empowerment.” Additionally, Public Democracy says it partnered with the left-of-center Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization to combat voter “misinformation.” 3

Public Democracy claims to be helping fund managers, community members, and others to create “economic equity” in Opportunity Zones created under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. 3 7

Public Democracy uses its data tools to map the online behavior of veterans to deliver ads and content to veterans “when they will find that communication most valuable.” Public Democracy further claims the tools help isolated and traumatized veterans build trust and relationships. 8

People

The founder and president of Public Democracy is Eric Sapp. Sapp was previously the executive director of Public Democracy’s sister organization, Public Democracy Action. He also founded the Eleison Group, is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, and a Loomis Fellow at the Stimson Center. Sapp is a board member of Ministeria de Fe, a faith-based anti-poverty organization based in McAllen, Texas. 5 9 10

The chairman of the board of Public Democracy is Rob Lalka. Lalka was previously a contributing author at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, a special consultant at the World Bank, a Global Partnership Advisor at the U.S. State Department during the Obama administration, a senior advisor at the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, a member of the Global Shapers Sustainable Development Council and Advisory Council for Collaborations at the World Economic Forum, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. 11

Financials

Public Democracy Inc has received $500,000 from George Soros’s Open Society Foundations, including $150,000 in 2022 and $250,000 in 2023. 4

References

  1. “Why We Are a Certified B Corp.” Public Democracy. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracy.io/public-benefit-corporation.
  2. “Our Data Makes Us Different—And Makes a Difference.” Public Democracy. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracy.io/pd-values-database.
  3. “Overview.” Public Democracy. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracy.io/overview.
  4. “Awarded Grants: Public Democracy.” Open Society Foundations. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=Public+Democracy
  5. “Our Story.” Public Democracy. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracy.io/our-story.
  6. “Public Democracy.” Public Democracy. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracy.io/.
  7. “Opportunity Zones.” Public Democracy. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracy.io/opportunityzones.
  8. “Better Data & Tools to Engage America’s Veterans. Public Democracy. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracy.io/veterans./
  9. “Eric Sapp.” LinkedIn. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-sapp-619ab03/.
  10. “Our Team.” Public Democracy. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracy.io/teammates.
  11.  “Rob Lalka.” LinkedIn. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalka/details/experience/.
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