Request for Proposals: Nonpartisan Election Education

Citizens across the country increasingly want to know whether elections are safe, secure, inclusive, competitive, and credible. However, elections can be complicated and in Arizona (as in most states) counties have considerable leeway to adopt election procedures that are suited to the local context. This can make it challenging for citizens to obtain accurate information about how elections are run in their specific jurisdictions. When most information about elections comes from political parties and statewide media, it can be hard for citizens to know on a local level whether the information can be trusted and is accurate for them.

The Carter Center seeks proposals from local organizations with creative ideas to educate voters in their communities about the electoral process. Applicants should be nonpartisan groups with deep roots in a particular county or counties and an interest in providing information about how the electoral process in the county(ies) works. Applicants should plan to coordinate with local county election officials as possible to ensure the accuracy of any information released. Applicants may elect to target their information campaigns to particular constituencies with whom they have especially strong relationships (young voters, elderly voters, veterans, voters with disabilities, etc.), but agree that all materials produced under the program will be accessible to any interested resident of the state of Arizona. Recipient organizations should demonstrate a willingness and an ability to conduct outreach with individuals of all political persuasions, including independent voters. Applicants furthermore agree to take a fact-based approach to their work. Selected recipients will be committed to sharing accurate information with citizens so that they can make up their own minds, but will not encourage their target audiences to vote in any particular way nor to advocate for or against substantive changes to the election procedures. The goal of this program is to provide engaging, credible, localized knowledge to citizens about the administration of elections in their county.

Potential examples of activities that could be supported under this award include:

• Citizen journalism efforts to cover the activities of local elections departments, local hearings on electoral reforms, and preparations for the 2024 election
• Focus groups to understand common local concerns about the electoral process. Production of fact sheets, short videos, or other communications products that speak to these questions or concerns. For example, if citizens do not understand how signature verification works on early ballots, provide clear and simple outreach products on the steps in the process.
• Outreach events around voter registration or upcoming local elections
• A public art contest to design eye-catching infographics on the life of the ballot or an electoral calendar to remind people about important upcoming dates in the elections process
• Public talks on different aspects of the electoral process, such as procurement of elections equipment, or campaign finance
• Other creative ideas that we would never have thought of on our own!

The Carter Center is able to provide funds of up to $10,000 per organization to implement your unique idea. Amounts will be assessed upon review of applications. In addition, recipient organizations will be invited to attend periodic training sessions on topics such as message development, electoral legal analysis, or other issues to be defined in coordination with the recipients based on their interests. They will also have an opportunity to participate in online or offline networking with other recipients to learn from effective voter education practices across the state. Finally, The Carter Center will strive to connect local organizations with needed subject-matter experts as-possible to help the organization to realize its program.

Organizations do not need to have significant previous experience with electoral education, but should have demonstrated previous capacity to provide public education and to manage funds in the requested amount.

Due to the nonpartisan nature of this effort, applications from 501(c)4s, political action committees or other partisan-aligned groups will not be accepted.

About The Carter Center: The Carter Center, founded by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, has helped citizens in new and emerging democracies to promote transparent, secure and inclusive elections for decades. The Carter Center has observed more than 110 elections in 39 countries around the world. In 2022, The Carter Center piloted a limited nonpartisan election observation program in Arizona – seeking to provide voters throughout the state with impartial information about the conduct of the election where possible under current state law. You can learn more at www.cartercenter.org.

Estimated Duration of the Award:

June 1 through August 15, 2023

How to Apply:

Applicants must complete the AirTable questionnaire linked and highlighted below to apply.

In this questionnaire, applicants will be asked to provide a statement of interest of no more than 5 pages using the template provided below. The Statement of Interest should address:

• Background of your organization and the specific challenge you plan to address
  • Previous experience your organization has with nonpartisan community engagement or education
• Your creative idea to provide greater knowledge about how elections are administered in your community
• The target audience for your proposed program (youth, veterans, etc.) and the number of individuals you estimate being able to reach
• Please provide links to any online presence that your organization maintains, such as a website and/or social media accounts.

Please also submit an estimated summary budget. A budget template is included, but you may also use your own template if preferred.

Applicants must complete the linked AirTable questionnaire about their organization.

AirTable Questionnaire: https://airtable.com/shrk3wDWF0ne7TDgn

Shortlisted organizations may be required to submit additional documentation, respond to further questions, or take part in a live interview at The Carter Center’s discretion.

Further Requirements to be Considered for this Microgrant:

Organizational Capacity:

It is a requirement that your organization be a registered 501(c)3, 501(c)5, 501(c)6, 501(c)7, 501(c)10, 501(c)16, 501(c)19, 501(c)23, 501(d) or be a service organization, faith-based group, mutual aid society or community group with a clear mission statement or bylaws. Recipients will be required to have directors or equivalent governing body.

Financial Management:

Successful grant recipients:

• Must have an open bank account and dedicated finance manager.
• Have sufficient organization staff to demonstrate a segregation of financial duties – dedicated person to prepare payments and confirm all back up support for the payment request and dedicated person to approve payment.
• Will be required to provide regular financial reports that include 100% back up for all expenses. Grant agreements will be terminated if this requirement is not met.
• Have a procurement plan that protects against conflict of interest.

Additional Notes:

The purpose of this grant program is not to relitigate past election outcomes, but to provide greater transparency, as well as localized electoral knowledge and expertise, ahead of future elections. Proposals with a retrospective focus will be less favorably considered.

Questions about the proposals may be submitted in writing to Arizona@cartercenter.org by May 17, 2023.

The deadline to submit your proposal application is May 31, 2023. Please submit proposals to Arizona@cartercenter.org with the subject line Election Education Proposal. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Carter Center

Request for Proposals: Nonpartisan Election Education

Template: Statement of Interest

• Overview:
  
  1.  Organization legal name:      
  2. Project title:       
  3. Total funding requested (USD):           
  4. Primary location where the project will take place:              
  5. Duration of project activities:    

• Proposed Creative Idea:

1. Background and Context
   • Background of Challenge you plan to address
   • Background of Organization
2.   Goal and Objectives
3. Please describe the specific approach or activities.
4. Please describe the target audience for your proposed program and the number of individuals you estimate being able to reach
5. Please describe your approach to any partnerships (if applicable) and relevant stakeholders.
6.  Describe the composition of the project team including key personnel, discussing the skills and experience they contribute to the proposed objectives, and how they can address potential risks and challenges associated with the proposed project.
7. Please describe what success would look like for your project.
8. Please provide the following Annexes:

i. Budget

Budget Template