The New Leaders Council (NLC) is a Washington, D.C. networking nonprofit catering to liberal political activists. The group provides training and “thought leadership” for individuals seeking to run for public office.
NLC has chapters in 28 states and the District of Columbia. 1
Projects
Millennial Policy Initiative
The Millennial Policy Initiative is a project of the New Leaders Council, and operates out of NLC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. 2 The Initiative provides policy reforms aimed at the Millennial generation that it claims will “reform and repair the country.” 3
NLC Community Action Initiative
The NLC Community Action Initiative provides fundraising, nonprofit compliance, digital content and outreach, and strategic communications support to young left-wing candidates for public office. 4 While the Initiative does not endorse candidates for public office (a violation of the group’s tax-exempt status), it does tout the elected officials from the NLC network.
Funding
The New Leaders Council has received grants from a number of left-leaning organizations, including the Walton Family Foundation, Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation, National Philanthropic Trust, Pritzker Family Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund (a donor-advised fund provider). 5
NLC uses the left-leaning fundraising platform ActBlue Charities, which caters to 501(c)(3) nonprofits. 6
Leadership
Mark Riddle is the CEO of the New Leaders Council and the founder and CEO of Wildcat Digital, a management and brand consulting firm. 7 A former executive director of the Kentucky Democratic Party and longtime Democratic activist and consultant, he has served numerous roles with campaigns ranging from press secretary, campaign manager, political director, and media advisor for numerous center-left organizations. 8
Chris Kelly is the chairman of the board of directors for New Leaders Council. Previously, he served as Head of Global Policy, Chief Privacy Officer, and general counsel for Facebook. 9 Kelly left Facebook in 2009 to run for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General of California. After losing the June 2010 primary with sixteen percent of the vote, Kelly became an investor in technology, media, and finance companies. He previously served as a policy advisor to President Bill Clinton. 10
References
- “Chapters.” New Leaders Council. Accessed February 26, 2019. https://www.newleaderscouncil.org/chapters
- “About Us.” Millennial Policy Initiative. Accessed February 22, 2019. https://www.millennialpolicyinitiative.org/about-us
- “Home.” Millennial Policy Initiative. Accessed February 22, 2019. https://www.millennialpolicyinitiative.org/
- “Training.” NLC Community Action Initiative. Accessed February 22, 2019. https://www.nlcaction.org/training
- “Grant Visualizer: New Leaders Council.” Information provided by Foundation Search. Accessed February 22, 2019. FoundationSearch.com
- “Donate to New Leaders Council.” ActBlue Charities. Accessed February 22, 2019. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/new-leaders-council-1
- “Board of Directors.” New Leaders Council. Accessed February 26, 2019. https://www.newleaderscouncil.org/board-of-directors
- “Mark Riddle.” Wildcat Campaigns. Accessed February 26, 2019. http://www.wildcatcampaigns.com/mark-riddle/
- “Board of Directors.” New Leaders Council. Accessed February 26, 2019. https://www.newleaderscouncil.org/board-of-directors
- “Chris Kelly.” Ballotpedia. Accessed February 26, 2019. https://ballotpedia.org/Chris_Kelly_(entrepreneur)