Resources
Democracy Learning Community
Do you want to help build a democracy that actually works for everyone, but feel unsure where to give?
Are you curious about the real differences among the many groups and funds working on democracy, civic engagement, and power building? Do you find it hard to keep pace with political developments and, more importantly, to understand how those dynamics should meaningfully shape your philanthropy?
If these questions resonate, we invite you to join other donors in the next cycle of Ktisis Capital’s Democracy Learning Community (DLC).
Kicking off in March, the Democracy Learning Community brings donors together in a facilitated learning community grounded in a clear premise: we are not going to stumble into the democracy we never had. Building long-term, sustainable democratic power requires moving beyond short-term or election-only approaches toward multi-pronged, systems-level strategies that strengthen organizing capacity, support movement-building, advance co-governance, and drive structural reform, alongside electoral work.
Over eight months, participants will engage in a carefully designed learning journey with a community of values-aligned philanthropists, deepening their ability to fund civic engagement and long-term power building with greater clarity, confidence, and strategic focus.
Program Summary
Made possible through funding from the Movement Voter Fund, this is a no-cost, solicitation-free learning space. First implemented in 2024, the DLC features monthly sessions led by expert facilitators who help participants navigate the complexities of funding the pro-democracy movement. Programming will include:
- Sensemaking about how we got here (including analysis of the 2026 midterm elections)
- Exploration of the range of tools and strategies donors can employ to actualize their goals. National analysis regarding emergent needs and opportunities
- Guidance on developing and refining a strategy for political and 501(c)(4) giving
- Critical questions to deepen your thinking about this work in conversation with your peers in a confidential space.
This program also includes unique opportunities to hear directly from national movement leaders. Past participants were particularly inspired by presentations from luminaries like Stacey Abrams and Maurice Mitchell, who helped connect electoral strategy to broader democratic transformation. As one past member shared:
"They were incredibly effective in helping us understand the big picture in ways we'd never thought of before, appreciating the long game and how elections are a piece of a much larger strategy."
Who is this for?
The program is designed for US-based donors who are currently or curious about funding civic engagement and political work. Donor advisors are welcome to participate alongside their donors/clients. We anticipate approximately 15-20 participants per session. In addition to the monthly learning calls or webinars, the Ktisis team is available to provide pro bono 1:1 advising on your democracy-giving plans upon request.
How much does it cost?
Participation in these cohorts is free for individual donors and their advisors, as is any requested 1:1 advising to develop a democracy giving strategy.
When?
Community programming will start in March and run through the end of 2026, with regular virtual programming throughout 2026. Participants will receive invitations for all sessions and are asked to confirm attendance for a particular block via the calendar item. The full schedule is outlined below.
What will the sessions cover?
March – Session 1: Litigation & Protest Infrastructure. Leaders from Movement Law Lab, Piper Fund, and the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund will explore how legal strategies and protest infrastructure are protecting democratic rights, followed by a discussion of early-year developments and giving priorities.
April – Session 2: Election Defense. Speakers from Moxie Fund, All Voting is Local, and People’s Action will share about and examine efforts to safeguard elections and protect voter access, with time to reflect on what’s shifting in the democracy landscape – and where funders should focus their energy and efforts as we look towards the 2026 midterm elections.
May – Session 3: DLC Meeting. DLC participants will convene for a peer discussion to share insights, exchange strategies, and deepen connections within the learning community.
June – Session 4: Narrative & Culture Change. Representatives from Accelerate Change, Media Fund for the American Majority, and Movement Voter Project will share and discuss how narrative strategies and cultural interventions can shift public understanding of democracy, followed by a conversation about emergent needs and funding priorities.
July – Session 5: DLC Meeting. This mid-year peer gathering for members will help us take stock of the evolving landscape – and calibrate thinking and strategies heading into the second half of the year.
September – Session 6: Power Building & Co-Governance. Presenters from Committee on States and Movement Voter Project will explore models of community power building and co-governance, with a discussion of shifts and developments that transpired over the summer and what, if any, corresponding funding priorities have emerged.
October – Session 7: DLC Meeting. Members will meet for a pre-election peer session for sensemaking, community support, and post-election planning.
November – Session 8: Post-Election Webinar & DLC Meeting. Jason Franklin, Principal & Founder of Ktisis Capital, will lead a session analyzing election results and their implications, immediately followed by a discussion about next steps for democracy.
December – Session 9: DLC Meeting. The year will close with a final peer session to reflect on lessons learned, assess the state of the field, and look ahead to 2027 priorities.
Related Knowledge
- Raquel Gimeno & Alison Upton López
- Estevan Muñoz-Howard
