Imagine North Carolina First is a left-of-center activist group with a mission to increase representation of ethnic and racial minorities by funding policy research and garnering votes. The group claims its actions are nonpartisan, though it has targeted the Republican-controlled North Carolina General Assembly for criticism. ¹

Background

Imagine North Carolina First is a left-of-center group that advocates for “underserved communities.” The group’s goals include “economic opportunity,” government accountability, and civic participation. ¹

The group claims that the North Carolina state legislature has discriminated against “the poor, elderly, newly enfranchised immigrants, and people of color” by supposedly working to reduce voting by members of these groups through “official actions.” ¹

Imagine North Carolina First also advocates for an “accurate Census” to benefit “historically underrepresented communities.” The end goal of an “accurate Census,” according to the group, is to “build power,” improve representation, and make sure people get a “fair share” from the government.  ¹

Activities

Imagine North Carolina First funds research on policy that pursues public education advancement and “economic opportunity” to minimize the “chasm between the poor and the wealthy.” ¹ The group’s research includes academic reports, trends, and surveys. According to their website, the group also funds campaigns, events, and information sharing focused on “common good, quality of life, and social welfare.” ² The group’s website claims that sponsored activities are “nonpartisan” and are to spread awareness through “relevant facts.” ¹

To promote its goal of government accountability and civic participation, the group focuses on increasing voter participation, particularly for “underrepresented” groups. ¹ This includes what the group claims to be “nonpartisan” efforts to encourage voting and to assist with “capacity-building educational work.” ¹ In addition, the group supports initiatives to ensure public leaders and the government are “accountable for their actions.” ¹ The group also targets younger generations for civic leadership training that will produce leaders that are “pro-democracy” and volunteers that will promote “fair economic policies.” ¹

Financials

In 2022, Imagine North Carolina First raised $6,134,509 in total revenue, made up solely of contributions and grants. The group had total expenses of $7,603,499 and total assets of $265,231. ³

In 2022, the group gave $2,720,000 to NC Citizens for Protecting our Schools and $798,000 to the A. Philip Randolph Institute. The group paid out grants to numerous left-leaning organizations. Imagine North Carolina First paid the Southern Coalition for Social Justice $225,000 and Planned Parenthood Votes $211,000. The group also provided grants to organizations such as Progress North Carolina, Blueprint NC, Forward Justice, America Votes, Action NC, the NC Black Alliance, the Fair Elections Center, Common Cause, the Hispanic Federation, Democracy North Carolina, the Red Wine and Blue Education Fund, We are Down Home, and the New Rural Project. ³

The Park Foundation has supplied yearly grants to Imagine North Carolina First since 2021 according to the Foundation’s website. In 2024, the Foundation provided the group a grant of $150,000. ⁴

Leadership

Russ Swindell is the executive director of Imagine North Carolina First as of 2022. He received $5,563 in reportable compensation from the group, according to the group’s 2022 tax filing. ³ The group’s board members include Mary Mountcastle, Kim McGuire, Adam Stein, Joel Fleishman, and chairperson Nina Szlosberg-Landis. Szlosberg-Landis was a member of the White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations in the Biden administration. She is also on the board of directors of the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters. ⁵

1. “Welcome to Imagine NC.” Imagine North Carolina first. Accessed December 6, 2024. https://imaginencfirst.com/.
2.   “Welcome to Imagine NC.” Imagine North Carolina first. Accessed December 6, 2024. https://imaginencfirst.com/.
3. “Imagine North Carolina First, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed December 1, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/464006055/202303189349304135/full.
4. “Grants Awarded.” Park Foundation. Accessed December 8, 2024. https://www.parkfoundation.org/grantees/imagine-north-carolina-first/.
5. Nina Szlosberg-Landis – director – north carolina railroad … Accessed December 9, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-szlosberg-landis-90b56124.