The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s Democracy Strategy

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Written by Wendy Feliz, managing director of Democracy at the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

Realizing the promise of inclusive democracy in the United States demands an unyielding commitment to introspection and adaptation. The responsibility to evaluate progress, respond to setbacks and innovate continuously has passed from one generation to the next since the founding of our nation. Indeed, no generation holds the monopoly on wisdom and in an ever-changing world, we must adapt to new threats and opportunities.  

Today, politics are playing out in ways that hurt democracy. The urgency to win elections and gain power is overshadowing the commitment to upholding democratic principles. It is in this critical moment that our generation must challenge the old ways to safeguard the future of a healthy democracy that works for and represents all Americans.

In this spirit, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has set a bold and ambitious goal to increase effective, constructive and responsible governance in the states of Montana and Georgia. These efforts will involve collaborating with those whose programs and projects align with our vision for a healthier democracy.

We will focus on three specific areas, which will help facilitate the integrity of our democratic system. Over the next ten years, we will support work that 1) advances reforms that make elections fairer and a better reflection of voters’ preferences 2) builds a bench of future leaders who prioritize nation over party, and 3) creates the conditions for cross-partisan connection and collaboration among our elected officials.

Reforms: One fundamental aspect of strengthening our democracy is enacting reforms that ensure elections truly reflect the will of the people and that ensure our government is truly representative of the people it serves.

Bench of Future Leaders: Investing in the development of a diverse and principled cadre of future leaders is essential. Leaders who prioritize the interests of the nation and their constituents over their political party are crucial for the health and vitality of our democracy. We believe that by investing in programs that nurture a new generation of country- and community-first leaders we will strengthen the quality of governance.

Cross-partisan Collaboration: Fostering an environment of cooperation and connection among our elected officials is vital. Partisan gridlock and divisiveness hinder progress and damage the integrity of our democracy. We believe in the importance of initiatives that promote cross-partisan collaboration, as they are essential for achieving meaningful solutions to our nation’s challenges.

Stay informed about our Democracy work on the foundation’s website and in our email newsletter.