2nd Annual Civic Engagement Technology Infrastructure Survey
Over the past several years, technology has changed the fields of civic engagement, organizing, and advocacy in unprecedented ways. The proliferation of online social tools enables organizers to create social change by empowering their members and lowering the cost of facilitating group action. Increased availability of voter data and the tools to use it have led to innovations in targeting and experiment-informed programs.
In light of these changes, the Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP) is engaging in an ongoing process to transform how groups who engage in civic engagement and advocacy do their work. The FCCP contracted with the New Organizing Institute Education Fund (NOI) to develop and administer a survey designed to qualitatively gauge the need and demand for technology assistance among organizations that meet the following criteria:
- Have a civic engagement, organizing, or advocacy program.
- Perform individual contact and mobilization.
- Are a non-partisan 501(c)(3) group.
This survey is similar to, and intended to build upon, the findings of the FCCP sponsored “2008 Voter Engagement Infrastructure Survey.” It touches on a range of technology issues including membership management, access to voter files, online organizing programs, voter registration practices, and general data maintenance practices. The survey was designed to identify common capacity-building and infrastructure needs that funders can help address.
This voluntary and confidential survey was conducted between Friday, September 18 and Monday, November 9, 2009. The 94 groups who completed the survey represent a broad sample of organization types, budget sizes, and issue focus. Our thanks to State Voices, ISSI and Freeflow Digital who provided invaluable advice in the development of the survey.
To go to the report, click here.
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