Public Democracy America

Background

In 2014, Public Democracy America was founded as a tax-exempt charitable organization in Great Falls, Virginia. It is the nonprofit arm of Public Democracy, a digital marketing firm registered as a public benefit B Corporation also registered to an address in Great Falls, Virginia. ^{3 4 5 6}

Both organizations tout use data, databases, and artificial intelligence to formulate campaigns and drive engagement with their target communities. ^{5 6}

Activity

Better Angels Program

One of Public Democracy America’s first initiatives was the Better Angels Program. As of March 2024, it consists of a network of over 80 aligned nonprofits involved in advocacy related to critical race theory, health care, environmentalism, veterans’ issues, and artificial intelligence. Public Democracy America assist participants in the program in the application for and management of a Google Grant of $10,000 per month in advertising engagement though the Google platform. ^{7 2}

Organizations participating in the Better Angels Program, which Public Democracy America, describes as “Partners,” include the American Society on Aging, American Families, Florida Conservation Voters, Born Brown, Black Economic Alliance, Lawyers for Good Government, Environmental Protection Network, Empower Fund, Government Accountability Project, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, United for Equity, National Urban League, We the Veterans, States United Democracy Center, Turnout Nation, and Clean Energy for America Education Fund. ²

The Lab

Public Democracy America provides data and strategic support services to aligned organizations, particularly those participating in its Better Angels Program. The organization has assisted with campaigns intended to encourage veterans to register to vote, encourage particular communities to participate in COVID-19 clinical research projects, and identify opioid addicts for the purpose of providing targeted interventions. ⁸

Public Democracy Action

Public Democracy Action, Public Democracy America’s lobbying arm, was founded in April 2010 as a 501(c)(4) organization. Like Public Democracy America and Public Democracy, Public Democracy Action’s main activity areas involve campaigns focusing on veterans’ issues, health care, and immigration issues. ^{9 10 11}

Leadership

Scott Shallett is the executive director of Public Democracy America as well as the managing partner and head of public affairs at Medora Strategies, a public relations firm. Previously, Shalett was the head of civic engagement at JPMorgan Chase, principal at Dewey Square Group, head of the southern political desk at the Democratic National Committee, director of then-Vice President Al Gore’s get-out-the-vote effort for the 2000 Iowa Caucuses, field director for then-U.S. Senator Carl Levin’s (D-MI) re-election campaign in 1996, and director of City Council relations for then-New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial (D) from 1994 to 1996. ^{12 13}

Rachel Johnson is the president of Public Democracy America’s board of directors as well as the organization’s head of strategic operations. Previously, she was the executive director of strategy and communications at the Riverside Church in New York and the campaigns director of Eleison, LLC, a consulting firm. ¹⁴