WDN REFLECTIVE DEMOCRACY CAMPAIGN

The American political system was built on the idea of representative democracy. But those who hold public office look very little like America. White men are just 32% of the population, but they hold nearly 70% of the seats in Congress. Millionaires represent more than half of Congress, despite being only 4% of the population. We can’t allow this un-democratic system to endure. We think it’s time for our political leadership to reflect the American electorate.

We call this vision reflective democracy.

Painting a clear picture. To show where we fall short of a reflective democracy—as well as the exceptional places where we are succeeding—we are building a comprehensive, open-source database of elected office-holders identified by race and gender for all county, state, and federal offices, and for cities with populations over 300,000. This data will allow us to create digital media and other tools that will tell a visually compelling story about the need for more women and people of color in leadership.

Communicating in new ways. Too many Americans don’t question the status quo that white men dominate the political power structure. To create popular demand for a reflective democracy, more Americans must be moved to change the current state of affairs. Informed by WDN-funded market research, the campaign will communicate broadly and effectively to shift public attitudes.

Finding ways to challenge structural barriers. We won’t achieve reflective democracy until we address the structural barriers that women and people of color face in running for office. In select states, we will fund pilot projects that focus on breaking down barriers such as: 1) the composition of electoral districts; 2) gatekeeper networks that control resources and access to the ballot; and 3) economic realities that inhibit a candidate’s ability to leave paid employment to run for office or raise campaign funds.

Working for large-scale systemic reforms. While we work to achieve success in a range of local and state projects, we’ll push for broad-reaching reforms to the system. We’ll join other organizations working on redistricting and money in politics, which play a key role in limiting opportunities for women and people of color. At the same time, we will work to replicate successful local and state projects and expand those on a broader scale.

TO SPOTLIGHT THE MONOPOLY ON

POLITICAL POWER HELD BY 32% OF THE

POPULATION AND BUILD DEMAND FOR

A TRULY REFLECTIVE DEMOCRACY

THE CAMPAIGN HAS THREE MAJOR GOALS:

WHAT’S OUR STRATEGY?

1 2 TO DISMANTLE STRUCTURAL BARRIERS

THAT PREVENT MORE WOMEN AND PEOPLE

OF COLOR FROM WINNING ELECTED OFFICE

IN LOCAL AND STATE-LEVEL DISTRICTS

Painting a clear picture. To show where we fall short of a reflective democracy—as well as the exceptional places where we are succeeding—we are building a comprehensive, open-source database of elected office-holders identified by race and gender for all county, state, and federal offices, and for cities with populations over 300,000. This data will allow us to create digital media and other tools that will tell a visually compelling story about the need for more women and people of color in leadership.

Communicating in new ways. Too many Americans don’t question the status quo that white men dominate the political power structure. To create popular demand for a reflective democracy, more Americans must be moved to change the current state of affairs. Informed by WDN-funded market research, the campaign will communicate broadly and effectively to shift public attitudes.

Finding ways to challenge structural barriers. We won’t achieve reflective democracy until we address the structural barriers that women and people of color face in running for office. In select states, we will fund pilot projects that focus on breaking down barriers such as: 1) the composition of electoral districts; 2) gatekeeper networks that control resources and access to the ballot; and 3) economic realities that inhibit a candidate’s ability to leave paid employment to run for office or raise campaign funds.

Working for large-scale systemic reforms. While we work to achieve success in a range of local and state projects, we’ll push for broad-reaching reforms to the system. We’ll join other organizations working on redistricting and money in politics, which play a key role in limiting opportunities for women and people of color. At the same time, we will work to replicate successful local and state projects and expand those on a broader scale.

We are building the Reflective Democracy Campaign in partnership with allied funders, communications experts, policy leaders, and grassroots organizations. Using nimble and strategic investment, the campaign will fill key gaps, catalyze new initiatives, and boost our collective impact.

THE CAMPAIGN HAS THREE MAJOR GOALS:

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WOMENDONORS.ORG

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In 21st Century America, we deserve a reflective democracy. Please join the Reflective Democracy Campaign by becoming a WDN member, donating to the campaign, or getting involved as a partner.

TO DISMANTLE STRUCTURAL BARRIERS

THAT PREVENT MORE WOMEN AND PEOPLE

OF COLOR FROM WINNING ELECTED OFFICE

IN LOCAL AND STATE-LEVEL DISTRICTS

TO COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS TO

ACHIEVE BROAD REFORMS THAT WOULD

REMOVE MAJOR SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO

REFLECTIVE DEMOCRACY

WDN ISN’T DOING THIS WORK ALONE.

565 Commercial Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94111T: 415.814.1333 | F: 415.814.1334 | womendonors.org

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