client login

Organizing tools for the first 100 days



In January, the Obama administration and Congress will begin working to address the major issues that confront our nation and the world, and we're going to need to keep mobilizing to make sure that change was not just a campaign slogan.

During the first 100 days, there's going to be a major push to pass critical legislation on issues such as health care, climate change, ending the war in Iraq and re-regulating the economy, and we want to make sure that as many progressive voices as possible are heard.

DemocracyInAction is one of the leading providers of online advocacy and organizing tools in the progressive movement, with over 400 non-profits utilizing our Salsa platform to communicate with their supporters and encouraging them to take action. If you're not one of those groups yet, but you are working on behalf of the urgent progressive priorities that will be addressed in the new year, we want to make it easier for you to become one through our "Empowers Grant" program.

Here's how it works:

- By midnight Monday, December 1, complete the application below for the DemocracyInAction Empowers Grant.

- DIA staff and advisers from our current member organizations will select 2-4 groups for each of the Progressive Priorities (10-15 groups total) and let them know by December 8 that they have been selected for a grant. Groups that are not selected can still become DIA member organizations through our normal signup process.

- Groups must be 501(c)(3) organizations or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, sign a DIA contract by December 19 (see note below), and complete their Salsa setup process by January 16.

- Groups must discuss in their application how they plan to leverage the Salsa toolset to advocate on behalf of a Progressive Priority during the first 100 days of the Obama administration and new Congress.

Note: Free use of the Salsa toolset will last until April 30, 2009. Following that date groups can continue paying our standard monthly fees, but will not owe a setup fee. DIA requires organizations to sign a 1-year contract, but you can terminate your contract at any point with 30 days notice, so there is no obligation to become a paying member organization. (We hope you will stick around after April though - there will be plenty more work to do)!

One final note - we know that there are way more than just these urgent priorities that are going to need to be addressed by President Obama and Congress, but we wanted to stay focused on some of the most urgent ones that will make up a "first 100 days" agenda. But if you have another priority and a great grassroots organizing strategy, let us know and perhaps you'll convince us to give you Salsa for free as well!

Please complete the form below to apply, and thank you for your interest in DemocracyInAction and Salsa, as well as your work on these important Progressive Priorities. Questions? Email info (at) democracyinaction.org or call 202-558-2808 x126. Already have Salsa? Then Tell a Friend about the grant!


Which of the following progressive priorities will your organization be organizing around during the first 100 days of the Obama administration and Congress? *
  • Ending the War in Iraq
  • Providing Universal Health Insurance
  • Passing New Climate Change and Renewable Energy Legislation
  • Re-Regulating our Economy
  • We have another priority we will be advocating for during the first 100 days (indicate below)
If you are organizing around another Progressive Priority during the first 100 days, what is it?
What is the mission of your organization? *

How specifically do you plan on using the Salsa toolset to advocate to Congress and the Obama administration? *

Are you working as part of a coalition with any other organizations as part of your advocacy efforts? Please indicate which organiztions and if they are DIA member organizations (if you know) *

Website/URL (You must have a website) *
What is the size of your email list? *
Is your organization a 501(c)(3) organization or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor? *
Will you be able to sign a Salsa contract by December 19?
*
WIll you be able to complete the Salsa setup process by January 16?
*
One last chance, why do you deserve this grant? *