Ranked Choice Voting and Proportional Representation can save us from ourselves, protecting the rule of law and the Constitution. I don't give monthly to very many causes, but this one is more than worth. Please save us.

Eugene
Keep up your great work! 
The world is a better place because of you! 
RMB 

Empathy in Action changes and transforms lives. Both for the incarcerated men and the volunteers!🙏

In honor of Rose Arce, a journalist and producer I deeply admire

In recognition of and in support for the vital work ROC DC does to defend and uplift restaurant workers.

excited to support the amazing work of ROC-DC organizing and building power with restaurant workers in the DMV!

Ella Baker Center has long been doing the work of fighting the cycle of poverty and incarceration - especially at the interface of youth and prisons. They implement community programs to empower those most hurt by the criminal justice system, they police the police, they campaign for divestment from prisons, and they demand financial accountability from the Alameda Sheriff's Dept. They offer many modes of additional engagement, e.g. podcasts, educational events, book talks, and more, at an impressively high frequency. I'm new to following Ella Baker Center, and I'm inspired by the excellence, commitment, and reach, of this organization.

Ranked Choice Voting gives a strong voice to all voters in our elections so candidates with the broadest support get to govern.

Rank the Vote (RTV) is a 501(c)3 organization with a vision that the national adoption of ranked choice voting and other structural election reforms will create a political and social culture with elections based on a competition of the best ideas rather than scorched-earth politics, and a government that is truly accountable to “we the people”. Ranked choice voting forces politicians to campaign on the issues, rather than pandering to a voter bloc on soundbites. The mission of Rank the Vote is simple: help everyday people build robust movements to expand democracy with prove and powerful election upgrades in their own states.

Rank The Vote

Empowering Israeli-Americans through civic engagement and advocacy education.

The Israeli-American Civic Education Institute (ICEI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Israeli-Americans and pro-Israel Americans to become informed and effective civic leaders. Through education, training, and resources, we prepare individuals to engage in meaningful advocacy, combat antisemitism, and strengthen the U.S.–Israel relationship.

**Our Mission**

We educate and empower individuals to understand the legislative process, promote civic engagement, and advocate for shared democratic values between Israel and the United States.

**How We Achieve Our Mission**

- **Educational Programs**: We offer courses to provide participants with in-depth knowledge of the legislative process and civic leadership.
- **Advocacy Training**: Our workshops teach the skills necessary to advance policy priorities, build coalitions, and effectively advocate for pro-Israel policies.
- **Community Building**: ICEI creates a network of like-minded individuals committed to protecting Jewish safety, combating antisemitism, and ensuring Israel’s security.

**Your Impact**

Your donation helps ICEI:

- Expand our educational programs to reach more participants across the country.
- Develop innovative resources to counter antisemitism and misinformation.
- Equip leaders with the tools to advocate for policies that strengthen the U.S.–Israel relationship.

Together, we can build a stronger, more informed pro-Israel community, ready to take on the challenges of today and tomorrow. **Join us in making a difference.**

Israeli-American Civic Education Institute

The Battleground counters false narratives eroding trust in politics and media.

**The Battleground - Europe and Beyond**

The Battleground is a Brussels-based nonprofit, independent media organisation that provides big-picture analysis and reflection on the stories of our time.

Our tagline, 'Focusing on democracy, diversity, and culture in Europe and beyond,' attests to the international nature of our publications. The Battleground’s content highlights geopolitical context and perspective, bridging continents and cultures. It mixes political analysis with social commentary on current affairs.

Established by independent press professionals to break new ground, The Battleground is an innovative media platform that promotes quality, ethical journalism with a personal touch. The ambition is to set a new standard for what journalism ought to do in Europe, if not worldwide.

**Our Mission**

- Fight false narratives
- Defend democracy
- Combat racism
- Expose extremism
- Promote diversity
- Champion ethical journalism

We conceived of The Battleground on Armistice Day 2018, one hundred years after the end of the First World War. We named it The Battleground to reflect the battle for human rights, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms.

This ambition did not emerge in a vacuum. Since the 2008 financial crisis, Europe has been repeatedly destabilised by conflicts on its eastern periphery, terrorism, refugees, and the far right. Most of the media we’d worked for failed to cover this. The Battleground was our answer.

Our decision has proved correct given the events of the six years since our founding. The Battleground is the only progressive English-language media in the European Union that tackles such topics, and we have a growing global audience to show for it. By December 2025, our readership will reach 700,000, with almost half located in North America.

Given the far-right political drift in Europe and beyond, staying the course and remaining a voice of reason and tolerance has inspired us like no other project we’ve worked on. Our growth has inspired us to take chances and exceed our expectations.

**Our Work**

The Battleground has published over a thousand feature articles and twelve hundred original photos, six eBooks, and six full-length field recording albums for our  [Battleground Books](https://thebattleground.eu/book/) and  [Battleground Sounds](https://thebattleground.eu/sound/) imprints.

Our editors publish regular reviews of books, film and music and politics features, and conduct candid conversations about ideas and events on our Left To Burn podcast. They’re an inspired bunch at the height of their journalistic careers.

**Our Reach**

The majority of our audience is between 18 and 44. We are heavily read by our peers, journalists, and other EU media, who increasingly follow our lead. We’re regarded as a publisher’s publisher in the Brussels media bubble.

The Battleground is a window onto Europe, the background instead of the foreground, the democratic instead of the populist. Reflecting shared values and diversity - in Europe and beyond.

We break the rules and make new ones. It’s a great place to be.

The Battleground

The Transformative Justice Center provides services to the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated. 

Our mission is to advocate for transformative justice, emphasizing empathy and understanding as we work with those who have been incarcerated. We aim to break down the barriers of social stigma, creating a platform for personal growth and change. At the Transformative Justice Center, and our flagship prison program - Empathy in Action, we see past the person’s history and focus on their potential. By providing crucial support and resources, we aspire to drastically reduce recidivism and help individuals reclaim their lives. At its core, transformative justice works to transform relationships, institutions and systems historically founded in oppression, marginalization, and violence into ones grounded in restoration, respect, and responsibility.

We believe that everyone deserves a chance to be seen, heard, and understood regardless of background, race, class, socio-economic status, political or/and religious views. We know that most if not all people in prison come from painful, traumatic backgrounds, from victims to victimizers. We work to transform prison spaces into places focused on higher education, healing, whole body wellness, accountability and respect. We see that within every human being there exists the possibility to grow, to change, and to transform with the right tools and interventions. We are committed to building bridges being the public and our incarcerated community in order to learn, understand and humanize those most impacted by familial and societal harms.

At the core of our work, we believe in redemption, and that everyone deserves an opportunity to transform their lives. Our center is built on empathy and understanding, providing crucial resources and support to individuals who are navigating their way back to society after incarceration. We appreciate any form of support, small or large, to assist us on this journey towards healing, change, and rebuilding lives.

The Transformative Justice Center

Providing NYC Public Schools with Training and Resources to Start and Sustain Student Journalism Programs and Publications

Press Pass NYC equips under-resourced NYC public schools with free faculty training, student resources and program support to launch or revive a student news publication – and keep it running. Our goal is to level the playing field in a city where a 2022 Baruch College study found 93 of the 100 highest poverty high schools had no student newspaper. Working on a news team gives teens the opportunity to develop their curiosity and passion by writing about topics that interest them, developing critical thinking, teamwork and leadership along with media literacy.

Since 2021, we’ve helped 30 NYC public schools start or revive a student news publication, online or in print, with 14 more coming in the 2025-26 school year. Every donation goes toward supporting these budding news teams through fellowships for teachers and students.

For example:

- $250 funds a stipend for a Student Journalism Leader
- $500 funds an hands-on journalism workshop for students
- $1000 funds a Journalism Adviser Fellow's first year stipend 
- $2000 funds one year of journalism supplies and resources for a student news team                                              
- $25,000 fully funds three-years of program support for a school news team to ensure sustainability.

Press Pass NYC

ROC-DC is building power with restaurant workers in DC to create a more just, dignified and equitable restaurant industry. 

**Background**

ROC-DC has been building power with restaurant workers since 2009. We are a small worker-led organization that utilizes base-building, organizing and worker-led advocacy to move our mission forward. We have a strong focus on community building and leadership development to strengthen our ability as a restaurant worker community to make the changes we want to see in our industry and in DC. ROC-DC is fully independent organization from ROC-United (circa June 2024).  

**Addressing the Current Moment**

ROC-DC has been specifically equipped to support workers during crises, and have provided systems of support, training and mutual aid during the threats of Trump's first presidency, during the COVID-19 pandemic and currently under the federal occupation of Washington, DC that is putting so many of our members and restaurant workers at risk. ROC-DC has not only been providing necessary mutual aid support to our members, but also building out systems where workers can support one another during this time. We have provided comprehensive resources to restaurant owners/management supported members with creating Emergency Family Plans and provided ongoing community  & healing spaces to share resources and stay in community during such a stressful and isolating time.

**Becoming a Donor!**

As a small, independent organization, your donation makes an incredible impact on supporting the longevity, sustainability and capacity of ROC-DC. We encourage supporters to become monthly sustainers to our work. If you would like your donation to be used for a specific program or mutual aid area, please specify! We thank you so much for your care and love for restaurant workers, especially during such a difficult time.

**With solidarity & love,**

**Team ROC-DC! <3**

ROC DC

Advancing racial and economic justice to ensure dignity and opportunity for low-income people and people of color.

EBC builds power with systems-impacted people to drive systems-change. Over its 27-year history, the families and communities EBC organizes with have collectively transformed the criminal justice system in California, from closing  abusive youth prisons to passing first-of-its-kind legislation to challenge racial discrimination in trials and sentencing. Building on the organizing approach of civil rights leader Ella Baker, EBC invests in the leadership of the people most impacted by racial oppression. EBC is led by systems-impacted people and implements solutions created from lived expertise. Recent California victories like the Racial Justice Act for All, the RISE Act, and the Access to Programming Act were pioneered at EBC and are poised to bring thousands home to their families. EBC also invests in leadership in its core base. For example, currently incarcerated people are most impacted – but least included – in policies for decarceration. Through EBC’s 9,000+ inside member network, currently incarcerated people weigh in on policy solutions, organize with their peers, speak out on issues impacting their lives, and get support to advocate for their freedom. Locally, in the Bay Area, EBC builds credible alternatives to prisons. Restore Oakland, EBC’s community center, models investments that return opportunity to over-criminalized neighborhoods. Here, EBC and partners offer resources like restorative justice circles, re-entry support, tenants rights tools, job training, and entrepreneurship funding that build a vibrant, prosperous community. Organizing for safety, power, freedom, and opportunity, EBC advances the self-determination of the people most impacted by the criminal justice system.

Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

We are non-profit weaving a relational movement to regenerate healing, resilience and flourishing lifeways. 

In a cultural landscape marked by deep upheavals, violence, and trauma, communities face huge obstacles to wholeness and becoming. Inspired and indebted to global traditions of youth initiation, which at their best require multigenerational participation and living wisdom traditions, we see the **revitalization** and **reimagining** of cultural traditions of all kinds as an acupuncture point for healing and resiliency, particularly for the communities that have faced the most oppression.

We believe community and culture-rooted projects and dreams deserve to flourish on their own terms. We support their thrival by taking care of the logistics, and building a relational web of support so leaders can focus on serving their communities. We do this through:

**Fiscal Sponsorship**
*We offer services for majority grassroots and People of the Global Majority-led organizations and initiatives, supporting fiscal, legal, and administrative work to bolster community leaders’ capacity to do the work they are called to do*

**Network-Weaving**
*We serve as a hub for resources, information, and wisdom-flow between different parts of our network including gatherings, online education, resource sharing, mutual aid and relational network-weaving*

**Culture Building**
*At the root of all our work is culture building and regeneration, building systems and ways of being together that are responsive and adapting to the times. All of this work is held in support and accountability by our spiral governance structure, you can read about more here.* 

Youth Passageways / Restoring Lifeways

UWC makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, over 80% of our students selected through UWC's national committee receive a scholarship. This support allows UWC to continue selecting students based on their potential and merit, regardless of their race, gender or financial means.

Most UWC national committees across the globe are run by volunteers. With selection activities in over 150 countries and territories, this volunteer network identifies promising young students, many of whom would never otherwise have access to a transformative UWC education.

**Why Support UWC**

UWC is committed to making its life-changing education accessible to students from all backgrounds. Scholarships ensure that financial circumstances never prevent talented students from attending.

Your support helps sustain UWC’s mission to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. Donations from alumni, individuals, foundations, companies, and governments make it possible for UWC to continue this work.

*"A UWC scholarship is a great investment in society. We are developing a global community of leaders who are aware of the world’s needs, steeped in the nuances and dynamics of international and intercultural cooperation and equipped with the mindset, skills, sense of agency and the global network to make a tangible difference in the world."* - **Faith Abiodun, Executive Director of UWC International**

If you are a **US taxpayer**, you can donate to any UWC institution by clicking “**Donate**” above and specifying your intended recipient (School, College, National Committee or Campaign) under “*Add a note for UWC International"*.

If you are not a US taxpayer, you can also donate via [uwc.org/donate](https://uwc.org/donate).

UWC International (United World Colleges)

NAFSN is a professional association of people working to strengthen their local & regional food systems.

The [North American Food Systems Network](https://foodsystemsnetwork.org) (NAFSN) works at the forefront of the food systems profession itself, providing networking opportunities, resources, career guidance, leadership opportunities, training, webinars, podcasts, and a comprehensive jobs board for people at all levels of this critical-change work. 

NAFSN also convenes subject matter experts to develop training and open-access tools specifically for community-based food systems professionals. 

We envision a future in which food systems practitioners have the tools and support to effectively support the development of viable local and regional food systems that offer rewarding economic opportunities for producers as well as provide access to healthful, safe, reliable, affordable, biodiverse and culturally-diverse connections to food for all.

**Your support helps NAFSN provide inclusive, affordable, easy-to-access, professional development opportunities for all involved in community food systems work.** 

If you value a diverse, place-based, well-informed workforce at the helm of every community's food systems, support NAFSN today!

\*\*\*

NAFSN's mission stems from our collective knowledge that the world’s dominant food structures have undermined the well being of Earth and all its inhabitants, including humans. Urgent issues related to food and agriculture that reduce the resilience of communities include:

- the ubiquity of diet-related human diseases
- farmer economic insecurity, aging-out, mental health concerns
- unjust and unsafe working conditions of farm workers
- farmland loss
- inability for new and historically marginalized farmers to access farmland & resources
- degradation of soil, water, air
- confined, disease-prone livestock
- disparities in rural communities
- lack of local infrastructure supporting food processing and distribution
- poor access to healthful foods in many communities
- disregard for traditional knowledge of regenerative practices
- climate change threatening food production
- industrial food production contributing to climate change
- multi-cultural foodways lost and replaced with cheap, highly-processed products sold as food

Effective solutions to these issues will address the interrelated challenges across both food and nutrition security and climate change and work towards transforming national and global food systems. This work will include strategies to promote local and regional food systems, which have been shown to reduce food waste, support local economics, increase the biodiversity, freshness, and nutritional value of foods, and reduce food insecurity. 

NAFSN knows that this workforce requires unique skills, science-based knowledge, and trust-based networks. We offer learning and networking opportunities for practitioners at all career points (emerging, transitional, seasoned) to help this workforce become better known, valued, and engaged in driving meaningful change. We lean toward newcomers, and value lived experiences and activism as cornerstones of this profession.

NAFSN is a project of the Center for Transformative Action, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that accepts all funds on our behalf.

North American Food Systems Network

The Friends of Bangladesh works to protect human rights and democracy in Bangladesh.


In early August 2024, opposition to an autocratic regime in Bangladesh grew to the point where the government collapsed, and the now former Prime Minister fled the country. Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus was then appointed Chief Adviser to lead an Interim Government. In response to this changing landscape, what had been the Protect Yunus Campaign transformed into what is now called ["Friends of Bangladesh,"](https://www.thefriendsofbangladesh.com/) which is supporting positive outcomes in the world's eighth most populous country during this critical interim period. In so doing, we seek to advance the well-being of the people of Bangladesh. 

Friends of Bangladesh needs additional funding to continue its activities in five areas:

1. Provide timely analysis of the evolving situation in Bangladesh through our website, [blog](https://www.thefriendsofbangladesh.com/blog/), webinars, and active social media channels (in part to combat disinformation circulating online about the current situation in the country).
2. Promote harmonious relations between Bangladesh and neighboring countries that have the ability to influence events there through strategic communications, online and in-person convenings, and effectively coordinating with allies and friends of Bangladesh.
3. Engage in a proactive media relations strategy, including the placement of op-eds and ensuring unbiased and fact-based coverage by influential regional media outlets that shape public opinion in the region and beyond.
4. Inform, mobilize, and grow the network of allies of Bangladesh around the world, including members of the Bangladeshi diaspora and others interested in seizing this historic moment for the nation to thrive.
5. Support the efforts of [a private foundation](https://jssfbd.com/) set up by Professor Yunus to ensure appropriate assistance to an estimated 20,000 students and others who were injured during the July/August uprising by police and paramilitaries, and also to compensate the families of the 1,400 who were killed. The government has allocated $8.3 million to this foundation but that amount is nearly 100% expended, and the foundation is seeking private donations to support future activities and victim compensation. We have developed relationships with [Myriad USA](https://www.every.org/july-shaheed-smrity-foundation), [Myriad Australia](https://myriadaustralia.org/services/donate/july-shaheed-smrity-foundation/), and [Transnational Giving Europe](https://donate.transnationalgiving.eu/landing/July_Shaheed_Smrity_Foundation?lang=en_EN) to allow for tax deductibility for donations from the United States, Australia, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

[Gutenberg Communications](https://www.thegutenberg.com/), the digital marketing and public relations firm we have retained since January 2024, and the three part-time staff of Friends of Bangladesh, are all veterans of the Protect Yunus Campaign and have built up a high degree of trust with Professor Yunus, his team, and other civil society actors. The two co-directors—Sam Daley-Harris and Alex Counts—have been associated with Bangladesh and Professor Yunus since the 1980s. Friends of Bangladesh works closely with allies in Europe, India, Japan, South Korea, and beyond.

Friends of Bangladesh partners with Global Impact to ensure tax deductibility for all donations and intends to register as a tax-exempt entity in 2025, provided sufficient funding can be secured. 

*For more information, contact Alex Counts, [alexcounts09@gmail.com](mailto:alexcounts09@gmail.com) and +1-202-257-8739*

Friends of Bangladesh

Ranked Choice Voting Maryland is a non-partisan coalition seeking to build a more effective, representative democracy.

**Why is Ranked Choice Voting Great for Maryland?**

In ranked choice voting elections, the candidate who reflects the views of the widest number of voters wins. Even in crowded fields, similar candidates can compete without splitting votes. Whether Republican, Democrat, independent or third-party, voters never have to worry about the “spoiler effect.”

We rank things all the time and express our preferences when we are shopping, going out to eat, etc. **Elections do not reflect how we make choices everyday.** 

**Maryland is Ready!**

Maryland is poised to expand better elections at the local, county, and state level. Our voting system is ready for ranked choice voting. Marylanders across the state are eager for more choice and a stronger voice in electing leaders.

**RCV is a WIN-WIN for voters and candidates!**

- **Eliminate Spoiler Effect** - Candidates do not need to worry that their campaign will help another candidate win by splitting the vote or being asked to “wait their turn."
- **Fully Express Your Vote** - When you have multiple candidates that you support, you can better express your intentions and preferences.
- **End Non-Majority Winners** - Ranked choice voting respects the will of the people and helps to elect the candidate preferred by a winning margin of voters.
- **More Civil Campaigning** - Candidates run competitive, yet civil campaigns to appeal to a broader base of voters.

Ranked Choice Voting Maryland

CHC is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to amplifying community voices to increase health care equity, quality and access in KS and MO.

Since 2002, Community Health Council of Wyandotte County (CHC) has engaged community in identifying and addressing health inequities; amplifying community voices, providing direct services, and operating as a community convener, organizer, and intermediary through our collective health improvement efforts. 

Our journey started when Wyandotte County ranked dead last on measures of health, equity and wellbeing and inspired community leaders to take action. Today, our mission is to increase health access, quality and equity through identifying and addressing health inequities; amplifying community voices, providing direct services, and operating as a community convener, organizer, and intermediary through our collective health improvement efforts, ensuring that no one is left behind. We are turning that vision into a reality through partnerships, civic engagement, advocacy, and direct impact.

CHC serves the Greater Kansas City metro area, with a focus on Wyandotte County and the medically underserved, BIPOC, and historically excluded communities identified in the HEAT Report ([https://wearewyandotte.com/).](https://wearewyandotte.com/). "https://wearewyandotte.com/).")

Community Health Council Of Wyandotte County Inc

The Rivanna Area Queer Center provides a safe refuge for all LGBTQIA+ people 
in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties.

LGBTQIA+ people need spaces of our own where we can take refuge, build resilient communities, and organize for our collective liberation. RAQC provides a safe and loving home for the queer community in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. Programming at RAQC addresses multiple areas of need: support groups, peer counseling, and on-site mental health professionals contribute to the emotional wellbeing of our community. Classes and workshops on topics as diverse as screen printing, foraging, and self defense address our physical and creative needs. Social events like mixers, parties, and performances ensure that our region’s vibrant queer culture continues to flourish. In addition to our own programming, RAQC also serves as a safe and accessible space where all local queer organizations and individuals can host their own events.

Rivanna Area Queer Center (RAQC)

Fondazione Marea unites the Sicilian diaspora to fuel social enterprises and create reasons to stay, return, or move to Sicily.

FONDAZIONE MAREA OVERVIEW

Fondazione Marea aims to be a catalyst for positive transformation for Sicily, harnessing the resources and skills of Sicilians who are scattered around the world. We are a community of Sicilians by birth, adoption and at heart, united by the desire to build a prosperous future for our homeland.

Marea's Vision:  A Sicily with opportunities to stay, return, and arrive. We envision in the long term a dynamic, stimulating, resilient, forward-looking Sicily, attractive to new talent, capable of maximizing its potential, a gateway to the Mediterranean.

Marea's Mission: We aggregate resources and skills of the Sicilian community around the world, to nurture the birth and growth of social enterprises in Sicily.

We enable every person, wherever they are, to actively contribute to the future of Sicily through the generative power of philanthropic investment and social entrepreneurship.

The Foundation is based on three fundamental pillars:

1. Strengthening the link between Sicilians of the diaspora and the changemakers in Sicily
2. Supporting social enterprise ventures 
3. Promoting local development

Our goal is to build an ecosystem of social entrepreneurship, creating job opportunities to break the cycle of depopulation and generate systemic change for the economic, social and cultural development of Sicily.

THE BIRTH OF MAREA 

Marea is a shared dream, a project born out of love for Sicily and the desire to transform this land into a place of opportunity, hope, and growth. It represents an extraordinary community of people with the courage to believe in this dream and the determination to realize it. The idea became a reality in June 2024, starting from zero with a call from Sicily that reached every corner of the world.

The Fondazione Marea-Ente Filantropico ETS was established on December 18, 2024 (video summary) thanks to a six-month Capital Campaign that saw the extraordinary participation of 423 Pioneers (individual donors), the involvement of 3 Sicilian Community Foundations,  €423,000 raised, and the creation of an initial Foundation endowment of €150,000. 

FONDAZIONE MAREA’S IMPACT 

The Foundation aims to turn the tide on Sicily's depopulation phenomenon by significantly reducing the number of people leaving the island in the long term, stopping the talent drain by retaining and attracting young Sicilian graduates and talent, creating more job opportunities in Sicily by reducing NEET status, and developing the philanthropic sector in Southern Italy by closing the gap in the investment by foundations compared to Northern and Central Italy.

UNDERLYING PROBLEMS

Fondazione Marea addresses two main problems:

1. Sicily is endangered. The lack of job opportunities is causing the depopulation of Sicily, forcing young people with high potential to emigrate and condemning many others to NEET status.

According to SVIMEZ - Association for the Development of Industry in Southern Italy data, every year 50,000 people leave Sicily, and the percentage of talented young graduates leaving Sicily in search of opportunities has increased fivefold over time, from 6 percent in 2001 to 32 percent in 2021. In 2080, it is estimated that Sicily will have only 2.8 million residents. Moreover, the Migrantes Foundation 2024 report reveals Sicily to be the Italian region with the highest rate of expatriates, more than 826,000 people. These numbers tell of a veritable diaspora. What is happening profoundly changes the demographic, social, cultural and economic structure of the territory, impoverishing the community and effectively desertifying the Mezzogiorno.

2. The lack of investment by foundations. Foundations play an important role in modern societies: they are private nonprofit institutions that act in the public interest. Because of their history and wealth, they are capable of making a significant impact and can contribute to the growth and development of communities.

Southern Italy has historically suffered from a persistent shortage of foundations, due to the limited circulation of capital and the lack of a philanthropic culture in the area. Meanwhile, Northern and Central Italy benefit in many ways from the presence in their regions of foundations that invest in local businesses and nonprofits, acting as intermediaries between the public and private sectors.

STRATEGY

Fondazione Marea's strategy is based on transforming the diaspora from a threat into an opportunity. It is an innovative model that gathers economic resources and volunteer expertise from the Sicilian community scattered around the world and channels them in a concrete way to support projects with a potential for high social impact. Following the principles of Venture Philanthropy, the Foundation identifies ideas and projects of new social enterprises, Third Sector entities established in corporate form, which play a crucial role in solving social and environmental problems, to respond to the emerging needs of local communities and promote collective welfare. This is currently still a pioneering corporate structure for our local context, with only 63 social enterprises registered in corporate form in the Third Sector across Sicily as of April 11, 2025, compared to 3,334 social cooperatives.

After a regional open call, Marea accompanies each project with incubation and acceleration programs and access to strategic resources. It is Sicilians themselves –  those who have emigrated, returned, stayed, are native or adopted – who supply both a startup fund and the “talent bank,” becoming mentors to the new social entrepreneurs. These new social enterprises generate lasting value in the local area, creating jobs and improving the quality of life. With careful monitoring of results and indicators for measuring social impact, the Foundation collaborates with other Third Sector entities, companies and institutions to complement this commitment by Sicilians and for Sicilians.

THE STARTUP SUPPORT PROGRAM 

Fondazione Marea's startup support program is a structured approach to nurture the birth and growth of social enterprises in Sicily. It is composed of pre-incubation and incubation paths, aimed at both embryonic projects and businesses that have already been established for less than a year. The program offers tailored training, mentoring, access to strategic resources and a dedicated mentor to guide participants through the various stages of development. The goal is to create a social innovation ecosystem, engaging Pioneers (the Foundation's donors), experts, entrepreneurs, networks and investors to generate lasting and systemic impact in Sicily. The program also includes an accelerator track for more mature social enterprises, with the goal of supporting the scalability and replicability of these projects.

The first edition of the startup support program will be launched in May 2025 and will have two simultaneous tracks: one incubation and one acceleration.

The program will be aimed at social enterprises or ETS already established (but not more than 1 year old) or individuals/groups of people who have concrete proposals for social enterprises with implications for the Sicilian context and legal and operational headquarters (including future) in Sicily. Projects can deal with areas that respond to issues and challenges of the Sicilian region such as environment (water risk, drought and fire, agriculture), social (inclusion, immigration), or underutilized tangible and intangible resources.

After a promotional roadshow across Sicily to connect with people potentially interested in participating, at least nine projects (one for each province in Sicily) will be selected to participate. 

The incubation track will last three months in a hybrid mode (online and in-person) with dedicated coaches and access to vertical mentoring sessions. There will be 3 in-person sessions of 3 days each  with theoretical lectures, workshops, hands-on labs, masterclasses, 1-to-1 planning moments, and testimonials.

After the final event to present the social enterprise ideas to the entire Marea Pioneers’ community, projects that meet the requirements for potential growth will be eligible for funding opportunities from the Foundation.

Concurrent with the incubation track will be an acceleration program: A number of social enterprises established for at least 1 year will be selected during an open call based on their track record, impact generated, and potential for scalability and replicability. Over three months, the enterprises will participate in an accelerator with customized training, coaching and mentoring tailored to their needs and those of the market.

Unlike other startup programs, after the formal incubation or acceleration journey, each project will receive long-term assistance through 3 years of mentorship to support the development at the most critical time of a new venture.

Fondazione Marea

DemocracyReady NY is a nonpartisan, multigenerational coalition strengthening democracy by preparing all students for civic life.

The DemocracyReady NY Coalition is the premier statewide force for civic education, with a stellar national reputation, a strong and committed roster of members, and an impressive track record of accomplishments. DemocracyReady NY's mission is to

- **Raise awareness** about every student’s right under the state constitution to an education that prepares them for civic participation.
- **Strengthen investment**, **policy, and practice** to help students develop the knowledge and skills they need to engage effectively in civic and political life, today and in the future​. 
- **Eliminate inequities** in access to quality P-12 civic learning opportunities.
- **Mobilize** youth, families, educators, researchers, advocates, policymakers, and philanthropy to work collectively toward these goals.

DemocracyReady NY activities include

- Advancing [research](https://democracyreadyny.tc.columbia.edu/resources/) and advocacy for equitable access to civic education for all students in New York.
- Producing [New York Civic Learning Week](https://democracyreadyny.tc.columbia.edu/activities/), a flagship annual statewide event that convenes students, educators, and civic leaders around the future of civic learning in New York.
- Supporting a [dynamic statewide cohort of high school and college students ](https://youtu.be/CDD2kgcU7Vk?si=LACKnr0vedS6BvAE)
- Working with the national [CivxNow](https://civxnow.org/) coalition to secure federal commitments for civic education and to support other state efforts.

Founded in 2018 at the Center for Educational Equity at Teachers College, DemocracyReady NY became an independent organization led by Jessica R. Wolff and Nan Eileen Mead in 2025. 

DemocracyReady NY

Centro is a nonprofit organization focused on providing human services. It is based in Madison, WI

As the leading non-profit organization working with the Latinx population in Dane County,  Centro has a forty one-year history of uplifting and strengthening the local community. 

Centro focuses on shaping a better life for young Latinx through youth programs. We aim to see Latinx youth prepared to succeed in life by finishing school prepared for post-secondary education. Centro’s youth programs provide services for an estimated 250+ youth grades 6-12 in the Madison Metropolitan School District. Students progress as a cohort through our pathways between middle and high school, improve their academic performance, graduate on time, and attend college while forging a strong sense of personal identity. While youth are our future, we do not forget that youth cannot succeed without strong families. At Centro, we offer families services such as basic support and resources to address various issues affecting their everyday lives, including fraud, unemployment, legal issues, healthcare, and more.

Centro Hispano, Inc

Empowering Youth in Cambodia helps disadvantaged urban youth access education, personal growth, and leadership opportunities.

Cambodia's youth demographic is one of the youngest in Southeast Asia, with over 60% of the population under 30. This rapid youth growth presents both a significant opportunity and a considerable challenge for the country’s future development.

**Empowering Youth in Cambodia (EYC)**, founded in 2006, focuses specifically on one of the most vulnerable segments of this youth population—those living in disadvantaged urban communities in Phnom Penh. Most parents of EYC students work in informal sectors as factory workers, waste pickers, tuk-tuk drivers, or street vendors, earning only a modest daily income—typically between $5 and $8. These jobs are unstable and lack job security, often leaving families living on less than $200 per month. Many of these young people are first-generation learners, balancing studies and work often without family support. Additionally, they face limited access to quality education and stable employment opportunities.

**EYC’s mission is to empower these youth through education, personal development, and leadership opportunities—helping them break the cycle of poverty and become active, contributing citizens.** 

Starting small with English and computer classes in Phnom Penh, EYC quickly grew into a respected NGO, reaching over 800 youth annually. Alumni became the organization’s backbone—returning as staff members, volunteers, and role models, creating a powerful youth-to-youth cycle of empowerment. 

Over the years, EYC expanded to multiple community centers, added programs like scholarships, leadership training, life skills, sports, arts, and STEM education. The scholarship program, in particular, has helped many students become the first in their families to graduate from high school and attend university. 

Today, EYC operates three vibrant community centers in Phnom Penh, offering a range of programs:

- **English, digital literacy, and STEM courses,** including coding and robotics
- **Scholarship support** for high school and university students
- **Leadership development** to build communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills
- **Life skills and extracurricular activities** in sports, arts, and mental health initiatives
- **Career guidance** and employability support
- **Volunteer and community engagement opportunities** with local and international partners

EYC’s holistic approach promotes not only academic skills but also confidence, resilience, and leadership. Its partnerships with other NGOs, the private sector, and educational institutions have expanded impact and trust within communities.

Looking ahead, EYC aims to strengthen its curricula, increase digital adoption, expand career pathways, deepen partnerships, and diversify funding to ensure long-term resilience. Its ultimate vision is to be a model for youth empowerment in Cambodia—demonstrating how community-driven initiatives can transform lives, break cycles of poverty, and foster a new generation of leaders.

**Join us** in supporting EYC’s mission to unlock the potential of Cambodia’s youth and create a brighter future for all.

Empowering Youth in Cambodia

Hong Kong Watch defends human rights, freedoms and the rule of law in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Watch is a [UK registered charity](https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1180013&subid=0) founded in 2017, consisting of Hong Kongers and friends of Hong Kong, working closely with Hong Kong community groups in the diaspora.

We inform and educate legislators, policy-makers and the media, and raise awareness among the wider public, about the violations of human rights, basic freedoms and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and advocate for actions to assist Hong Kongers. We do this through a combination of in-depth research reports, regular topical briefings, opinion editorials, media briefings and interviews, and advocacy campaigns.

We also help integrate, support, welcome and strengthen the capacity of the Hong Kong diaspora, through a programme of civic and political education and community engagement.



*Information about donation security and donor benefits is available [here](https://www.hongkongwatch.org/donate).*

Hong Kong Watch

Devoted to encouraging political journalists to live up to the highest standards of their profession.

At this point, no one can possibly argue that political journalism has fulfilled its essential missions of creating an informed electorate and holding the powerful accountable.

But our top newsroom leaders have seen no need for a course change. In particular, they have failed to respond to the growing asymmetry between the political parties, even as one became overtly counter-majoritarian, anti-democratic, and unmoored to reality.

Press Watch agitates for change. It encourages reporters to fight disinformation more enthusiastically and effectively, especially when our democracy and people’s lives are at stake. It identifies best practices that others can emulate. It urges the reality-based parts of the industry to  explicitly condemn Fox News and other far-right propaganda outlets as disinformation operations.

Press Watch

YOU bring real, lasting social change in the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC). Join us.

“Women are the first victims of war, but only they hold the unique key to peace.” – Julienne Lusenge 
 
 The Fund for Congolese Women (FFC)   supports women's grassroots organizations through financial and technical assistance.  FFC is unique - the only women-led grant-giving NGO in the entire DRC. We provide grants to local women-led organizations that are often in the most remote, difficult to reach areas.   Why? We are unshakable believers in local solutions to local issues.  We know that the brave women and girls working at the grassroots level have the solutions. We know that when women become agents of change, they benefit, their families benefit, their communities benefit. Since its inception in 2007, FFC has funded more than 386 projects throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo. We support projects focusing on eliminating sexual violence against women, delivering empowerment programs for women and girls, educating women about HIV/AIDS and reproductive health, and advocating for environmental justice and access to resources and land for women.  Generous individuals like you make our work possible.  Thank you! 
 
 
 Join the conversation and follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Fund for Congolese Women (FFC)

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We are a nonprofit, so instead of charging fees we rely on the generosity of donors like you.

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Rank The Vote

The Transformative Justice Center

Israeli-American Civic Education Institute

Press Pass NYC

The Battleground

Press Pass NYC

Civic Participation