In 2020 a storm hit our country, fueled by long-standing systemic issues, national emergencies, and failings in leadership. And it was a pivotal year for our network, as we were collectively called upon to respond to a pandemic, an economic crisis, a nation-wide reckoning with racial justice, and continued assaults on our democracy—all happening in the context of the most important election of our lives.
The pandemic may have changed the way we connect and work, but our strategy remained the same: bold, collaborative, and joyful.
Together, WDN and WDN Action mobilized more than $18 million, investing in the leaders and movements that are fighting for our democracy and building a more just future.
Read on for more about the impact we made together and a preview of what’s to come.
Together, we are funding organizations that are dismantling oppressive systems and envisioning bold changes. We funded narrative strategies around climate justice, domestic worker organizing in the face of COVID-19, and an entire ecosystem of organizations mobilizing in the Movement for Black Lives.
Participation & Representation Impact Collective
In the face of unprecedented assaults on our democracy, we invested in voter engagement, voter protection, and election security.
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Safe & Sustainable Future Impact Collective
With the climate crisis looming, we invested in communities focused on a Just Transition and innovative women-led organizing efforts.
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Opportunity & Equality Impact Collective
To combat a pandemic, economic crisis, and attacks on abortion access, we funded reproductive justice efforts and protections for frontline workers.
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Reflective Democracy Campaign
We expanded our commitment to building a reflective democracy with investments in new data, research, and grassroots leadership development.
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Jean Hardisty Initiative
We took action in defense of Black lives, investing in Black-led power building, movement organizing, and voter justice efforts.
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Emergent Fund
We supported the Emergent Fund’s rapid-response grantmaking for communities under attack by federal policies and priorities.
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In 2020, WDN Action mobilized over $5.6 million in c4 grants to 66 organizations that collectively helped elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, flip states like Arizona and Georgia, and engage a record number of new voters. We supported efforts to expand the electorate, get out the vote, and protect our democracy—work that will have an impact far beyond this year.
BIPOC organizing in Georgia helped flip the state—and control of the Senate.
Here’s what our community helped make happen:
Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump, receiving more votes than any presidential candidate in U.S. history.
Kamala Harris made history as the first female, Black, and Asian American Vice President.
Democrats held the House and regained control of the Senate.
Record numbers of new voters were engaged across the country; Georgia alone registered over 800,000 new voters.
Americans across race and place turned out in record numbers to vote, despite a pandemic and voter suppression efforts.
Innovations in digital organizing, cultural strategies, and messaging helped counteract disinformation and reach new audiences.
Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin turned blue thanks to investments in the power of BIPOC organizing.
By the Numbers
This moment is calling on all of us to deepen our commitments—to the movements we fund, to the community we create, and to the vision we believe in. We know a more just world is possible, and we believe we can get there together.