We the People NJ, a coalition that advocates for strengthened democracy, announced grants to eight community organizations and grassroots groups through its “Civic Power Grant” program. The program was launched to support nonpartisan voter engagement, increase civic engagement, and build power at the ballot box and beyond. The announcement comes on National Voter Registration Day as communities are celebrating democracy by getting communities registered to vote.

The grants awarded make key investments in organizations with deep ties to historically marginalized communities and are committed to strengthening democracy year-round. It also builds off a series of major wins that expand people’s power at the ballot box — particularly historic rulings that have declared New Jersey’s corrupt county line system unconstitutional and that have forced major reforms to limit the power of political insiders to pick election winners.

“In the run-up to the November election, these grants will support community efforts across our state to seize control of their own destiny by encouraging civic participation and engaging with residents to bring new voters into our political process,” said Moriah Kinberg, Director of Democracy Organizing for the New Jersey Working Families Alliance.

“This grant underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable democracy,” said Tomas Varela, Executive Director, New Jersey Black Empowerment Coalition and Civic Power grantee. “By joining this multi-racial coalition, we’re poised to empower Black and Brown communities, enabling them to actively participate in the civic process and shape their futures. Together, we will forge a more equitable and just future for all.”

“AAPI New Jersey is grateful for the We the People coalition’s support for our non-partisan Get Out The Vote efforts,” said Amber Reed, Co-Executive Director of AAPI New Jersey. “As the state’s largest advocacy organization that represents New Jersey’s over 1 million Asian American and Pacific Islanders, we are excited to engage our community during this historic election season. Asian American voters typically receive less outreach than other groups –this grant will help break down barriers and ensure more Asian Americans are able to vote for the candidates of their choice.”

“Our mission at Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice HQ is to counter systems of injustice and oppression through the intersectional work of educational outreach & community organizing,” said Dr. Sara Wasserman, Queer Educator & Local Community Organizer, & Robt Martin Seda-Schreiber, Chief Activist, Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice. “This grant will support our efforts to strengthen the individual & collective power of LGBTQIA+ folx, often excluded from traditional voter outreach, to understand the power of their voices & the impact of their votes to represent the Queer community as we work towards a more inclusive democracy.”

“NAACP Newark is firmly committed to voter registration, education, organization, and mobilization as a tool for a stronger, more viable community and we are pleased to get support to amplify our work,” said Deborah Smith Gregory, President of the NAACP Newark.

We the People NJ awarded grants to eight organizations focused on engaging and mobilizing people of color, LGBTQ+, and young people to achieve a more inclusive democracy in New Jersey. Nearly all grantees are BIPOC, AAPI, or LGBTQ+ led.

The eight grantees are:

Community Empowerment Group Inc. of NJ: Civic engagement programs that bring Camden City residents into the electoral process and boost voter turnout in local races, as well as trainings that identify and train new leaders to fight for change.

AAPI New Jersey. A get-out-the-vote (GOTV) program targeting the AAPI community in Hudson, Bergen, and Middlesex counties, and an initiative focused on identifying and training AAPI college students as campus civic engagement leaders.

Make the Road New Jersey. A “Guardians of Democracy” program to train 40 community leaders in Union County– particularly Elizabeth, Rahway, and Linden– who will engage and mobilize community members to vote.

NAACP Newark. A civic engagement program, including voter registration, canvassing, community focus groups, and a coffee house series focused on youth in Newark.

The Gem Project Inc: The “Gem Fellowship Program” will empower young people in Newark through non-partisan canvassing and youth-led educational forums that focus on voting rights and the importance of school board elections.

New Jersey Black Empowerment Coalition (NJBEC): The “Make Black Count NJ” program will engage Black voters, with a priority on low-propensity, high-potential citizens/voters across the state, through the use of text and phone banking and community forums.

The Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice: An event series with direct voter engagement that will engage the LGBTQ+ community to boost voter registration and turnout in Mercer County.

The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ). An event series focused on immigrant groups within NJAIJ, an election protection workshop, and convening a post-election reflection and goal setting with immigrant groups.

We The People NJ is a statewide coalition of over a dozen labor, advocacy, and grassroots groups dedicated to advancing an equitable and more inclusive democracy by engaging and empowering underrepresented communities and building sustainable power among all New Jerseyans. wethepeoplenj.org

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