NORWALK, CT -- Fairfield County's Community Foundation's new, nonpartisan initiative is designed to fund efforts to increase voter registration and information access for all County residents, particularly those who are historically disenfranchised. FCCF’s Get Out the Vote (GOTV) program offers support to nonprofits to boost local efforts to engage underrepresented voters in Fairfield County. Organizations eligible to apply with FCCF must support voter registration in general, not just with select political parties or candidates. See below for full details. Applications due by July 27, 2018.
FCCF GOTV’s objectives are to increase voter engagement and participation and improve models for nonprofits to register and engage voters in ongoing activities. The purpose of the grant is to support organizations in reaching individuals whose voices are underrepresented in the political process, connect them to upcoming voting opportunities via nonpartisan voter engagement activities, and provide information on additional opportunities to have their interests represented.
Examples of nonpartisan voter engagement activities include (but are not limited to):
– Voter registration (new voters)
– Voter activation (updating voter registration or registrant education)
– Enlisting new/existing voters in signing “pledge to vote” cards or other commitment tools; and other related education efforts that promote civic engagement
Grantee participants will receive and/or benefit from:
– A $1,000 civic engagement grant
– One peer learning activity/brainstorming session (to occur in late August)
– Opportunities to shape Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s first cross-county National Voter Registration Day Event on Tuesday, September25, 2018
– Recognition as a partner on our website and during our National Voter Registration Day events
Terms of grant:
– This grant cannot be used to endorse or denounce a political party or candidate
– Information or other assistance regarding registration or voting shall not be withheld or refused on the basis of support for or opposition to particular candidates, parties, or policy/platform positions
Participants are asked to:
– Create an application entry document (more details below) and send to Sharon Jones at sjones@fccfoundation.org by 5pm EST Friday, July 27
– Agree to register to vote or sign a pledge to vote a minimum of 100 people – at least half should be new voter registrations
– Designate a liaison to manage the effort and interface with the Community Foundation
– Participate in one call or convening with other participating agencies in late August
– Participate in National Voter Registration Day on September 25, 2018 and actively promote the Community Foundation’s cross-county event
To apply:
Please respond to the following 6 prompts regarding your voter engagement plan. Send this information as an attachment (maximum of 2 pages) to Sharon Jones at sjones@fccfoundation.org
1. Description of your organization/group, including estimated number and demographic information of population served
2. Description of how voter engagement efforts support your mission, and, if applicable, provide a brief overview of past voter engagement activities
in which your organization has participated
3. Description of your intended engagement approach (to include all activities)
4. A summary of 2018 voter engagement goals including:
– The number of voters you will register
– The number of pledge to vote cards you will collect (if applicable)
– The number of individuals who will be involved (inclusive of relationship to your organization/group and number of years of experience in role)
5. What non-financial support, if any, will you need from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation?
6. Contact Information
– Organization Name:
– Address:
– Contact Name:
– Phone:
– Email:
– EIN #:
– If you have a separate fiscal sponsor, please give their name and EIN#:
For More Information:
Please contact Sharon Jones at Fairfield County’s Community Foundation at 203-750-3219 for more information or with questions.