This is What Democracy Looks Like – Cause Communications

It’s hard to miss, and hard not to celebrate, the levels of energy and engagement in our participatory democracy we’re seeing today. People aren’t just taking to social media to make their voices heard; they’re joining their neighbors and going to marches and meetings and rallies in cities and towns across the country. Folks who’d never thought about running for political office are thinking about it now.

It’s thrilling, and encouraging, to see due attention paid to responsible and responsive government. But engagement – and impact on people’s lives – doesn’t, of course, stop at government. Civil society, the non-governmental organizations and institutions that also drive the will of citizens and residents, responds to communities’ needs on the ground and helps people every day in every corner of the nation, in a way government often cannot.

As an agency that is both a nonprofit devoted to capacity building in the social sector, and as a business whose mission is to amplify nonprofits’ and foundations’ impact, we know that the role of civil society in preserving rights and in building more just, inclusive and healthy communities is more important than it has ever been. That’s why we do what we do, and it’s why we so deeply admire and respect what you do, as a member of this utterly indispensable “third sector.” Every day we share your indispensable work defending the vulnerable and advancing principles like fairness, inclusivity and prosperity for all.

Indeed, as many are saying at events across the country, this is what democracy looks like.