The Black Civic Engagement Fund is a center-left voter mobilization group created by the Democracy Alliance, a network of highly influential funders within the Democratic Party and the political Left. The Democracy Alliance itself generally coordinates funding strategies rather than engaging in grantmaking; consequently, the Black Civic Engagement Fund itself is a project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funding and fiscal sponsorship provider. 1
The Black Civic Engagement Action Fund is the 501(c)(4) “sister” affiliate of the Black Civic Engagement Fund, and a project of the Sixteen Thirty Fund.
Political Activities
According to a 2016 report by the Democracy Alliance, both the Black Civic Engagement Fund and the Black Civic Engagement Action Fund promote voter mobilization efforts that aim to increase voter turnout and political engagement among left-of-center African-American voters. The funds used a number of state-based allies to target legislation in the following states:
California
Florida
Illinois
- Black Roots Alliance
Michigan
- Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan
North Carolina
- AdvanceCarolina
- BlueprintNC
Ohio
- Black Organizing Collaborative
Virginia
Leadership
The funds share an advisory board consisting of Daaiyah Bilal-Threats, senior adviser for strategic initiatives for the National Education Association; Gerry Hudson, secretary-treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Jee Kim, Ford Foundation; Gara LaMarche, a Democracy Alliance member; and Brian Weeks, political director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). 2
Cietta Kiandoli, the director of the Black Civic Engagement Fund and the Black Civic Engagement Action Fund, is listed as the group’s contact.
Funding
According to a 2016 Democracy Alliance report, the Black Civic Engagement Fund raised approximately $2,930,000 and had expenditures of $1,370,000. The Black Civic Engagement Action Fund had revenues of $1,850,000 and had expenditures of $620,000. 3
References
- “Democracy Alliance 2020 Investment Portfolio.” Democracy Alliance. Published Fall 2016. Accessed May 1, 2019. Available: https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2019/04/Democracy-Alliance-2020-Investment-Portfolio-Report.pdf
- “Democracy Alliance 2020 Investment Portfolio.” Democracy Alliance. Published Fall 2016. Accessed May 1, 2019. Available: https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2019/04/Democracy-Alliance-2020-Investment-Portfolio-Report.pdf
- “Democracy Alliance 2020 Investment Portfolio.” Democracy Alliance. Published Fall 2016. Accessed May 1, 2019. Available: https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2019/04/Democracy-Alliance-2020-Investment-Portfolio-Report.pdf