Run for Something Civics (RFSC) is a political advocacy group that claims to provide support to the campaigns of younger left-of-center candidates running for local and state offices. According to its website, the group claims, “we need more young leaders from any and all political parties who are committed to making change…[w]e need to broaden young Americans’ understanding of the levers of power and give space for them to see themselves in leadership.” ¹

Run for Something Action Fund (RFS Action) is the 501(c)(4) partner organization of Run for Something Civics (RFSC). ² The Run for Something PAC runs the Run for Something website. ^{3 4}

Activities

Run for Something Civics (RFSC) claims to support the campaigns for younger candidates running for office at the state and local levels. According to its website, it alleges that due to the higher age of candidates running for office, “young voters continue not to see themselves or their lives reflected in our leadership…they feel cynical, disengaged, or like it doesn’t matter who wins, and then abstain from participating in the process entirely, as voters and as candidates.” ¹

RFSC also claims that the electoral system in the United States makes it difficult for younger candidates to run for offices, alleging issues such as “structural barriers, legal hurdles, [and] financial obstacles.” ¹  The website further alleges that RFSC supports and “promotes youth leadership and encourages young people from diverse backgrounds to run for elected office at all levels in order to create a more reflective democracy.” ¹

Candidates the group supports must reflect certain criteria such as being “Pro-democracy & pro-Constitution,” “Anti-hate,” “Pro-facts,” and “Inclusive & diverse.” ¹

Funding

Run for Something Civics is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses but does not disclose its donors. According to tax filings, in 2022 several left-of-center organizations made contributions to Panorama Global earmarked as donations for RFSC, including the Merle Chambers Fund ($100,000), ⁵ Insita Group Ltd ($100,000), ⁶ the Lebowitz-Aberly Family Foundation ($35,000), ⁷ and the Liberty Hill Foundation ($25,000). ⁸

1.  “About.” Run for Something Civics. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://runforsomethingcivics.net/about/
2. “Home.” Run for Something Action Fund. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://runforsomethingaction.net/.
3. Run for Something Action Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022, Part III, Line 1.
4. “Home.” Run for Something. Accessed November 23, 2024. https://runforsomething.net/.
5. Merle Chambers Fund, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2022, Part XV, Line 3.
6. ^[1] Insita Group Ltd, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2022, Part XV, Line 3.
7. Lebowitz-Aberly Family Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2022, Part XV, Line 3.
8. Liberty Hill Foundation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022, Schedule I, Part II.