Basiran
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 5, 2026) – In a pivotal move to fortify American democracy and civic participation, a formidable coalition of national nonprofit leaders today unveiled "Voices in Action," a groundbreaking collaborative initiative. Spearheaded by Independent Sector, Nonprofit VOTE, the League of Women Voters, and Alliance for Justice, this program is designed to equip charitable organizations nationwide with the essential tools, confidence, and clarity needed to engage their communities in the democratic process, particularly in anticipation of the crucial 2026 midterm elections. The launch coincided with the release of new national polling data, revealing overwhelming public support for nonprofit-led voter engagement efforts.
The initiative was formally introduced during a virtual briefing, where leaders underscored the unique and trusted position of nonprofits in fostering civic life. With growing challenges impacting communities and persistent underrepresentation in electoral processes, "Voices in Action" seeks to empower these frontline organizations to help individuals access vital information, register to vote, and participate meaningfully in decisions that shape their lives.
A Call to Action for Democracy
The "Voices in Action" initiative represents a unified commitment from some of the nation’s most influential civic engagement and nonprofit advocacy organizations. At its core, the program acknowledges that charitable nonprofits are not merely service providers but vital pillars of a healthy democracy. By empowering these organizations, the coalition aims to cultivate a more informed, engaged, and representative electorate, ensuring that the voices of all Americans, especially those historically marginalized, are heard at the ballot box.
"Our nation stands at a critical juncture, and the health of our democracy hinges on active, informed participation from every community," stated Dr. Akilah Watkins, President and CEO of Independent Sector, during the launch event. "Nonprofits are uniquely positioned to bridge gaps in civic engagement, and ‘Voices in Action’ will provide them with the robust support necessary to fulfill this vital role."
The initiative arrives amidst a landscape where public trust in many institutions is wavering, yet nonprofits consistently rank among the most trusted entities. This trust, coupled with their deep community roots, makes nonprofits indispensable actors in fostering a vibrant civic culture. The program’s focus on the 2026 midterm elections highlights the strategic importance of these elections in shaping legislative priorities, state-level policies, and the balance of power across the country.
A Timely Intervention Ahead of Critical Elections
The formal launch of "Voices in Action" took place today, May 5, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET, via a widely attended virtual webinar. Titled "Strengthening Democracy Through Nonpartisan Voter Engagement," the event served as an inaugural training and information session, setting the stage for months of concerted effort leading up to the 2026 midterms. Interested organizations and individuals were invited to register through a dedicated portal, signaling the program’s commitment to broad accessibility.
The timing of this initiative is no coincidence. Midterm elections, often characterized by lower voter turnout compared to presidential elections, frequently determine the composition of Congress, state legislatures, and governorships. These outcomes directly influence policy decisions on issues ranging from healthcare and education to environmental protection and economic opportunity—issues that form the bedrock of many nonprofit missions. The 2026 midterms are anticipated to be particularly consequential, with numerous competitive races and potential shifts in power that could dramatically impact the regulatory and funding environments for nonprofits and the communities they serve.
"The 2026 midterm elections are not just another election cycle; they are a critical opportunity for communities to shape their future," emphasized Brian Miller, Executive Director of Nonprofit VOTE. "By starting this engagement process now, well ahead of the election, we are ensuring that nonprofits have ample time to build capacity, plan effective strategies, and reach as many potential voters as possible."
The webinar outlined a comprehensive roadmap for nonprofit engagement, emphasizing nonpartisan approaches to voter registration, education, and mobilization. Participants received an overview of the legal parameters governing nonprofit election activities, ensuring compliance while maximizing impact. The collaborative nature of "Voices in Action" means that participating organizations will benefit from the collective expertise and resources of the four leading partners, providing a robust support system as they navigate the complexities of election season.
Unveiling Widespread Support for Nonprofit Civic Engagement
A cornerstone of today’s launch was the presentation of compelling new polling data, commissioned by Independent Sector and conducted by Tunnl. The findings underscore a powerful mandate from the American public for nonprofits to play a more active role in civic engagement. While the full report offers granular insights, Dr. Akilah Watkins shared several key takeaways that painted a clear picture of public sentiment:
- Overwhelming Trust in Nonprofits as Information Sources: A staggering 82% of Americans indicated that they trust local and national nonprofits to provide accurate, nonpartisan information about elections and civic participation, significantly higher than their trust in political parties or media outlets. This highlights the critical role nonprofits can play in combating misinformation and fostering an informed electorate.
- Strong Desire for Nonprofit Voter Assistance: 76% of respondents expressed a desire for nonprofits in their communities to offer voter registration assistance. Furthermore, 71% believe nonprofits should help voters understand how to find their polling locations and navigate the voting process.
- Support for Issue Education, Not Candidate Endorsement: While strict prohibitions exist against 501(c)(3) organizations endorsing or opposing candidates, the poll revealed that 68% of Americans believe nonprofits should educate the public on candidates’ positions regarding key issues that affect their missions and communities. This indicates a public appetite for issue-based, nonpartisan information to help voters make informed decisions.
- Perceived Positive Impact on Community Well-being: 79% of those surveyed believe that when nonprofits engage in voter education and registration, it strengthens community cohesion and improves the overall quality of life by ensuring more diverse voices are represented in decision-making.
- Bipartisan Consensus: Importantly, support for nonprofit voter engagement programs transcended political divides, with strong majorities across Republican, Democratic, and Independent voters expressing favorable views. This broad consensus underscores the nonpartisan nature and widely accepted value of such initiatives.
"These findings are not just numbers; they are a resounding affirmation from the American people," Dr. Watkins asserted. "They tell us unequivocally that communities want and expect nonprofits to step up and help facilitate their participation in our democracy. This poll provides the empirical evidence to support what many of us have intuitively known: nonprofits are essential civic actors."
The comprehensive overview of the survey results is accessible on the Independent Sector website, providing a detailed breakdown of demographic and regional responses. This data serves not only as validation for "Voices in Action" but also as a powerful advocacy tool, demonstrating the public’s desire for a more robust role for the nonprofit sector in strengthening civic life.
Official Responses: Leaders Emphasize Trust, Mission, and Nonpartisanship
The leaders of the collaborating organizations articulated a shared vision for "Voices in Action," each emphasizing distinct yet complementary aspects of the initiative.
Dr. Akilah Watkins, President and CEO of Independent Sector, passionately connected the initiative to a rich historical legacy. "Charitable nonprofits have always been integral to our nation’s advancement of voting rights. From the anti-slavery societies of the 19th century that fought for suffrage to the churches, student groups, and civil rights organizations of the 1950s and 1960s that marched for universal voting access, nonprofits have consistently been on the front lines, helping our neighbors organize and cast their ballots," she stated. Watkins elaborated on how the new polling data directly reinforces this historical role, demonstrating that Americans overwhelmingly want nonprofits to help people in their communities register to vote, find and access their polling locations, and learn about candidates’ positions on the issues. "Ahead of incredibly consequential midterm elections, it is essential that nonprofits answer the call to educate and engage voters in their community. Nonprofit VOTE, the League of Women Voters, and Alliance for Justice all have strong records of success building voter participation, and we look forward to working alongside them to support nonprofits in creating and sustaining their own high-impact voter engagement programs." Her remarks underscored the belief that civic engagement is not an ancillary activity but central to the core missions of many nonprofits.
Brian Miller, Executive Director of Nonprofit VOTE, focused on the practical integration of civic engagement into existing nonprofit work. "Nonprofits are already deeply connected to the communities they serve and understand the challenges people face every day," Miller said. "Voices in Action is about meeting organizations where they are and giving them practical, trusted tools to help the people they serve participate in the democratic process. When nonprofits engage voters, they’re not adding something new; they’re strengthening the impact of the work they already do." Miller highlighted that voter engagement can amplify advocacy efforts, enhance community representation, and ultimately make nonprofit services more effective by addressing root causes through policy change. He emphasized that the initiative provides actionable strategies that are easy to implement, dispelling the notion that voter engagement is overly complex or resource-intensive for nonprofits.
Natalie Roetzel Ossenfort, Senior Bolder Advocacy Program Director at Alliance for Justice, addressed the critical legal framework for nonprofit engagement. "Nonprofits are uniquely positioned to boost civic engagement within their communities and to educate voters on how to have their voices heard at the polls," Ossenfort explained. "While 501(c)(3)s are prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates, they have a critical and entirely permissible role to play during election season." She detailed how Alliance for Justice’s Bolder Advocacy program provides essential guidance regarding the rules governing nonprofit engagement in election season advocacy, demystifying complex regulations and empowering organizations to act confidently within legal boundaries. This clarity is crucial for many nonprofits that may hesitate to engage due to fear of jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. Ossenfort stressed that nonpartisan activities such as voter registration, get-out-the-vote efforts, and issue education are not only legal but encouraged.
Jeanette Senecal, Chief of Civic Learning & Impact for the League of Women Voters, underscored the urgency of providing trusted information in a challenging environment. "At a time with heightened barriers to participation and misinformation spreading, ensuring that every community has access to trusted, nonpartisan election information has never been more important," Senecal stated. She highlighted the League’s long-standing commitment: "For years, the League’s VOTE411.org has helped millions of voters access personalized election information, from registration deadlines to polling locations to candidate information. Voices in Action builds on that legacy by equipping nonprofits with the tools to connect voters with trusted resources, and help more people engage in action and turn-out-to-vote, ensuring communities shape our collective future." Senecal emphasized the collaborative power of combining the League’s deep expertise in voter education with the community reach of thousands of nonprofits.
Implications: Strengthening the Fabric of American Democracy
The launch of "Voices in Action" carries profound implications for the future of American democracy and the role of civil society. It is a strategic intervention designed to address systemic challenges and build a more resilient, representative political system.
The "Why" Behind Voices in Action
Across the country, nonprofits are navigating growing challenges that directly affect the communities they serve. These include shifts in public policy that impact access to vital services, increasing barriers to participation in civic life (such as restrictive voting laws or lack of accessible information), and the pervasive spread of misinformation that erodes trust. Simultaneously, many of the people nonprofits reach every day—including low-income individuals, communities of color, young people, and those with disabilities—remain significantly underrepresented in elections and decision-making processes. This underrepresentation leads to policies that often fail to address their needs, perpetuating cycles of inequality.
"Voices in Action" is grounded in the understanding that civic engagement is not a separate endeavor but central to nonprofit missions themselves. The policies that shape communities directly affect access to housing, healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and public safety—the very issues that nonprofits tirelessly work to address. When nonprofits help people participate in civic life, they are not only advocating for specific policy outcomes but fundamentally strengthening their ability to achieve their long-term missions and create lasting positive change. By empowering voters, nonprofits enable communities to have a direct say in the governance that impacts their daily lives, shifting from being passive recipients of services to active agents of change.
A Comprehensive Toolkit for Engagement
In the months leading up to the 2026 midterm elections, "Voices in Action" will offer a comprehensive suite of resources and support designed to foster high-impact nonprofit engagement. This toolkit is meticulously crafted to be practical, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs of organizations across the country:
- Practical Guidance on Nonpartisan Voter Engagement: This will include easy-to-understand "how-to" guides, best practices, and case studies for implementing effective voter registration drives, voter education forums, and get-out-the-vote campaigns.
- Key Election Dates and Planning Tools: Nonprofits will receive access to customizable election calendars, checklists, and planning templates to help them organize their efforts efficiently and ensure compliance with deadlines.
- Proven Strategies for Reaching Underrepresented Communities: The initiative will provide research-backed methods for engaging historically marginalized populations, including culturally competent outreach materials, multilingual resources, and strategies for addressing specific barriers to participation.
- Training Opportunities to Build Capacity Across the Sector: A series of workshops, webinars, and peer-learning sessions will be offered, covering topics such as voter registration techniques, effective issue advocacy, volunteer management for civic campaigns, and legal compliance.
- Access to Trusted Resources: Nonprofits will be connected to reliable, nonpartisan election information sources, including VOTE411.org, to ensure they can provide accurate data to their communities.
- Legal Compliance Support: Alliance for Justice’s Bolder Advocacy program will offer ongoing consultation and educational materials to ensure nonprofits understand and confidently navigate the legal boundaries of their nonpartisan engagement.
Broader Impact and Vision
The long-term vision of "Voices in Action" extends beyond the 2026 midterms. It aims to build a sustainable infrastructure for nonprofit civic engagement, fostering a culture where voting and civic participation are recognized as fundamental components of community well-being. By strengthening the capacity of nonprofits to engage voters, the initiative seeks to:
- Cultivate a More Informed Electorate: Providing reliable information combats misinformation and empowers voters to make decisions based on facts and issues, rather than rhetoric.
- Increase Voter Turnout and Representation: By addressing barriers to participation and actively mobilizing communities, "Voices in Action" can lead to higher turnout, particularly among underrepresented groups, resulting in a more truly representative government.
- Enhance the Legitimacy of Democratic Processes: When more people participate and feel their voices are heard, it strengthens public trust in electoral systems and democratic institutions.
- Amplify Community Voices in Policy-Making: A more engaged electorate translates into greater accountability from elected officials, leading to policies that are more responsive to the actual needs and priorities of diverse communities.
- Strengthen Civil Society: By empowering nonprofits to act as civic hubs, the initiative reinforces the vital role of a strong, independent civil society in a healthy democracy, serving as a counterbalance and a connector between citizens and their government.
Ultimately, "Voices in Action" is grounded in a shared belief: when nonprofits are equipped to engage voters and advocate for their communities, democracy works better for the people they serve. It is a powerful affirmation of the sector’s commitment to not just addressing symptoms, but actively building a more equitable, just, and participatory society. The coalition invites all nonprofits dedicated to community well-being and civic health to join this critical effort, recognizing that collective action is the most potent force for democratic renewal.
Independent Sector is the national membership organization that connects, strengthens, and advocates for nonprofits and philanthropies. Learn more at independentsector.org.
Media Contact: Chloe Kessock, [email protected], 727-433-2972
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