Looking for the Helpers [Updated]
Donuts + Democracy is live and we need your help!
Mr. Rodgers once said, “If you look for the helpers, you’ll know there is hope.”
Well, we looked for the helpers after launching Donuts + Democracy this week, and we’re here to say there is not only hope, but also determination and generosity. This started with just the two of us and then Randi, Jennifer and Indigo joined our team and then over 70 (see below) of you said “We’re in!”
In just 3 days, we have raised $19,000 and we have officially upped our fundraising goal to $40,000. We’ve also added 10 colleges and universities since Sunday for a total of 32 (and counting!).
And because of YOU - we are kicking off our first Donuts+Democracy events this week in battleground states North Carolina, Georgia and Montana!
Today, Montana State University hosted their first Donuts+Democracy event, and in just a few hours, they talked with 300 college students about voting and registered 50 new voters!!! (They said their table was much busier than other voter registration tables nearby because . . . you guessed it, donuts are magic.)
If you haven’t donated yet, we’re guessing that it’s because you’ve probably already maxed out your donations and you wonder if this will make a difference. Please know - we really get it. But as our friend Susan said, “I can live in a smaller house, keep wearing the same clothes, take fewer trips, eat out less, but I can’t live without democracy and freedom.”
Not only that, but Donuts+Democracy is the highest return on investment you’ll get over the next 4 weeks. Here’s why:
Young voters were the deciding factor in 2020 and will be again in 2024. In 2020, we achieved historic victories after young voters turned out at record highs (at 50%), and were the reason Democrats could deliver literally life-changing investments in climate action and mental health, the first gun control legislation in 30 years, and more than $168B in student loan forgiveness.
Young voters are one of the main targets of voter suppression tactics (especially on social media and in traditional media). The solution? Relational organizing. Peer-to-peer conversations about voting have significantly greater likelihood of turning out voters than ads, phone banks, postcards, or text blasts.
Combining relational organizing with the one thing college students all love - free donuts - is a game-changer. And, with no overhead, advertising, or labor costs, every dollar donated goes directly to getting out the vote. At $2 a donut, you cannot get more bang for your GOTV buck!
Please donate today to help us get students engaged, informed, and registered at colleges in battleground states and districts and HBCUs (see list below). You can Venmo us at @Donuts-Democracy (last four of mobile 6888). If you want to donate by PayPal or Zelle, please message us.
HBCUs: Howard University (DC), Spelman College (GA), Morehouse College (GA)
Arizona: Arizona State University
Pennsylvania: Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburg, Bryn Mawr, LeHigh University, University of Scranton, Pennsylvania State University
Georgia: GA Tech, GA State University, Emory University, Georgia Southern University
North Carolina: Appalachian State University, Elizabeth City State University, Campbell University, Davidson College
Wisconsin: Marquette University, Mount Mary University, UW Oshkosh
Nevada: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of Nevada, Reno
Montana: Montana State University, University of Montana
Texas: University of Houston, University of Texas, Austin
Florida: Florida A&M University
Louisiana: Tulane University
New York: St. Lawrence University
Illinois: Northwestern University
Again, thank you for generosity and support. We’ve got elections to win all over the country and no time to waste so please donate today and spread the word by sending this to your friends and family!!
In your corner,
HH & ML
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