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NVEN: Helping Nonprofits Engage Voters
Started by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, the Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network (NVEN) is a non-partisan initiative to support nonprofit groups during the election period. NVEN has partnered with several nonprofit organizations in Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Each of the groups provides resources and tools for nonprofits to encourage greater participation in the voting process.
Started by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, the Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network (NVEN) is a non-partisan initiative to support nonprofit groups during the election period. NVEN has partnered with several nonprofit organizations in Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Each of the groups provides resources and tools for nonprofits to encourage greater participation in the voting process.
NVEN's goals include:
- Building lasting capacity for nonpartisan, nonprofit voter participation
- Providing resources and support to 501(c)(3) nonprofit voter participation initiatives that work year-round to increase the number of nonprofits integrating voter engagement activities into to their on-going work.
- Seeking sustained increases in voter participation, especially those voters with a recent history of lower participation through engaging voters where they gather to work, learn, advocate and receive services.
- Broaden support for the revitalization of democracy and election reforms
- Strengthening the nonprofit sector and encouraging new civic leadership
The Minnesota Participation Project (MPP) provides support and expands the capacity of Minnesota nonprofit organizations to effectively engage in efforts such as voter registration and voter education. MPP's purpose is to support, encourage, and expand the capacity of nonprofit organizations to increase voter mobilization efforts. It offers nonprofits a range of tools and support including information sharing, education and organizational training.
Minnesota Participation Project recently partnered up with several organizations who have assumed leadership roles in various communities: West Side Citizens Organization, Center for Asians and Pacific Islanders, Election Day Community Coalition, Smoke-free Communities, Duluth Votes Coalition, and the People Escaping Poverty Project. Together, these organizations are working with communities all over Minnesota.
MPP is also recruiting volunteers to drive voters to the polls on Election Day. Three and a half hour shifts have been set up on Nov. 4 across the state to ensure that voters who otherwise may not have the opportunity to get to the polls are allowed to have their voice heard on Election Day. Volunteers must sign up for vehicle operation and logistics trainings. In addition, there is a need for volunteers who speak multiple languages to provide direct help to voters via the Election Protection Hotline.
Pennsylvania's Everybody VOTE is a nonpartisan voter registration and mobilization campaign that was created to increase voter participation in the state. Everybody VOTE is dedicated to expanding the role of state's 501(c)(3) organizations in elections.
Everybody VOTE is working toward protecting individual voting rights on November 4th. Several groups of attorneys, law students, paralegals, faith based groups, non-profits, unions, students, and community organizations are mobilizing to "Protect the Vote". Extensive help will be needed to help cover the hotlines and monitor the poll sites across Pennsylvania to ensure that every vote is counted. Volunteers from Pennsylvania are urged to sign up for training and receive assignments.
Everybody VOTE is also setting up election protection training sessions in Pittsburgh, as well as a "Voter Celebration" event. The Voter Celebration event will be held the morning of November 5th in Turtle Creek. No invitation or RSVP is required, but attendees must provide their voter stub from the election for admittance.
MassVOTE is a non-partisan voting rights group supporting nonprofit organizations to increase voter education and turnout across the state. Begun in 1999, MassVOTE is dedicated to removing the obstacles that discourage voting, especially for those community members who traditional political strategies ignore or fail to include.
MassVOTE has created an online Nonprofit center that educates nonprofits on registration and voting rights issues. Low or no cost training is also provided for nonprofit groups who wish to learn voter mobilization skills.
The resource library featured on the MassVOTE website is a comprehensive source for information about elections and the issues. Visitors of the website can learn voter statistics, profiles about different Massachusetts cities and even read articles discussing the history or background of subjects such as the electoral college and modern voting devices.
NVEN has partnered with several other nonprofit organizations:
- Colorado Nonprofit Association
- Connecticut Association of Nonprofits
- Connecticut Association of Human Services
- Maine Association of Nonprofits
- Montana Nonprofit Association
- N.C. (North Carolina) Center for Nonprofits
- New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits
- New Mexico Association of Grantmakers
- New Mexico Community Foundation
- Con Alma Health Foundation
- Center for Nonprofit Excellence
- Santa Fe Community Foundation
Organizations interested in partnering with NVEN should contact them.
To receive updates on new resources, the role of nonprofits in elections and election reform issues, sign up for NVEN's monthly newsletters.