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Advancement Project

Washington, D.C.

Grants

2016 (2 years)
$500,000

Advancement Project is a policy, communications, and legal action group committed to civil rights and racial justice. Advancement Project’s Voter Protection Program leverages a pro bono network of attorneys to work with grassroots organizations to monitor voting practices and changes in state law year-round, particularly in states where laws have been passed that restrict access to voting. Advancement Project works year-round with elections administrators to address problems; responds to fast-changing developments on voting access through engagement with media outlets, and undertakes strategic litigation to block restrictive voting laws when such action becomes necessary. Advancement Project is also using strategic communications to raise public and policymaker demand for an explicit affirmative Right to Vote. A MacArthur grant will support the Advancement Project’s Voter Protection program, Right to Vote initiative, and Strategic Communications work.

2014 (2 years)
$500,000

Advancement Project leverages a pro bono network of attorneys and grassroots organizations to monitor voting practices and changes in state and local election law year-round, particularly in states where laws have been passed that place new requirements on voting access or reduce voting opportunities. Advancement Project’s network works directly with elections administrators to address problems, provides information to targeted media outlets, and when these tactics fail, undertakes strategic litigation. Advancement Project also raises public awareness of the importance of voting rights, and provides information on new voting law changes, through frequent appearances in mainstream news media.

2012 (2 years)
$300,000

Advancement Project’s Voter Protection Program works to fully enfranchise all eligible Americans, with a particular emphasis on people of color. Advancement Project works before each election to improve election administration practices, eliminate barriers to voter registration, and educate voters. To do this, Advancement Project partners staff attorneys and communications specialists with local civic engagement groups to employ litigation, advocacy, and communications strategies; it engages in litigation with national partners against restrictive voting laws; and it works year-round with local elections officials to identify and address potential barriers to voting before they arise.