We show up in the real battlegrounds.

Groundwork supports local community organizers in places where the fight isn't over one candidate or one election but over the survival of American democracy itself. From the Deep South to Appalachia and the Plains: We show up in the states too often written off and invest in the local leaders working year-round to reclaim power.

FOLLOW US

The Organizer Network

The anchor of Groundwork’s engagement model in our focus states is providing capital, community and capacity to local frontline organizers, creating a unique and powerful Groundwork Organizer Network.

The Organizing Accelerator

Through The Organizing Accelerator, a first-of-its-kind partnership with the NAACP, Groundwork is training and mentoring the next generation of organizing leaders working on democracy’s frontlines.

The Narrative Studio

We challenge boom-and-bust civic spending and dismantle the false narrative that tough regions are not worth progressive investment, aggressively elevating the work of our state partners in front of our national networks and on our large digital platforms.

hundreds of people protesting in front of the Capitol Building

Donate to Groundwork Project

With your support, we can make a big impact.

Current Groundwork States

outline of Alabama

Alabama

Alabama’s rich political history features some of the most history-changing local organizing of the Civil Rights Era as well as the most stark setbacks. Reckoning with this juxtaposition offers a path to durable and equitable change.

Outline of Mississippi

Mississippi

Local leaders in Mississippi have spent the last five years building critical infrastructure. But real resources are needed to overcome generations of racial segregation and disenfranchisement.

outline of West Virginia

West Virginia

The roots of the American labor movement and progressive populism run through West Virginia. But to build back power, we have to build back trust, with rural voters in particular. And you can’t do that with just one election cycle or one campaign.

Outline of Oklahoma

Oklahoma

With deep wells of conservative power and the lowest voter turnout rates in the country, the road ahead in Oklahoma is difficult. But the state’s organizing ecosystem is rising high, despite the odds. And with actual resources, they’ll write a new political story for Oklahoma’s future.

The Groundwork Theory of Change

Organizing builds infrastructure. Infrastructure builds power.

At Groundwork we believe that investing in local organizing is the single most effective tool for protecting American democracy and securing power for those historically excluded. Why? Because local community organizing is the seed from which all else grows. From a vibrant organizing base you build the year-round voter engagement, social movements, and civic infrastructure required to make change.

You build power.

Join Our Email List