Why focus on middle-class volunteer fundraisers?
It’s time to acknowledge one group of people that are overdue for a thank you from our movements: middle class volunteer fundraisers.
Middle class volunteer fundraisers - what do you mean?
Middle class volunteer fundraisers have always existed, but they’re made invisible because they don’t fit the two binary roles in our movements: “organizers” (directly impacted communities doing frontlines organizing) and “funders” (institutional and individual checkbook writers that sit on the sidelines of our movements and write 5+ figure checks).
After 2016, hundreds across the country recognized a unique role they could play for our movements: organize people in their community to select organizations that align with their theory of change, bring everyone together to make the case for why, and collectively move their resources. Contributions ranged from $10 to $1,000. They can either be anchored at an organization - Movement Voter Project, Sister District, and The States Project have dedicated volunteer fundraising programs - or they can operate independently as a distinct political home for their communities.
The case for organizing the middle class as volunteer fundraisers
There aren’t many roles currently in our movements for middle class people, and this one is designed to build our base. If we want bold wins, we need to build bases much bigger than we currently have. More people donate than they vote, go to church, or literally any other civic engagement activity. People whose role is literally to invite others they know into an engagement ladder that begins with arguably the most universal starting point is not only supportive of our budgets - it’s strategic in building our base.
Middle class volunteers build multi-year, unrestricted funding directly into their work. No demand letters or webinar briefings needed. In 2022, before any other national movement intermediary, funder, or major donor decided how to fundraise for the runoffs, 31st St stepped in to support the Georgia Alliance for Progress. This year, while many foundations and high net worth individuals reduced or eliminated their giving for democracy with a laundry list of excuses, organizations like Airlift, NOPE Neighbors, Walk the Walk, and countless others offered ongoing Zoom gatherings tying issues their communities care most about to the organizations building power to address those issues.
The organizing done by middle class people is creative, fun, and life-giving. Here's just a small list of examples:
Bake Back Better organizes volunteer bakers, deliverers, packers, and marketers to raise funds for progressive organizations by selling cupcakes.
Crimson Goes Blue brings together fellow Harvard alums to offer live comedy, poetry readings, and other opportunities to showcase members' talents while raising resources.
Flip the Vote organizes themed IRL and virtual house parties that reflect the milestones and community of the host (anniversary photo sharing! valentine card writing! when’s the last time these things happened at a progressive event you attended?).
Force Multiplier got their start tabling local farmers’ markets with fliers about causes they were raising for.
Senate Circle hosts Zoom fundraisers that feel like you’re being invited to someone’s home for a dinner party even though it’s a group of people you’ve probably never met.
To fundraising volunteers
Thank you for all that you do. You deserve more support, and let’s make that happen. Let us know how we can provide trainings, convenings, and coaching for your organizing contexts by reaching out.
To development staff
If you’re trying to build a base of committed people who will support you in moving away from bang-and-bust cycles (electoral, rapid response, or otherwise) and divesting from deep isolation and overwhelm in your work, it’s time to start thinking about options beyond grant writing, moves management, and digital fundraising.
Need help with getting started? Reach out to us. We can explore different models (membership models, peer-to-peer, giving circles, volunteer fundraising teams) and think about what might be possible in your organizational context.