Public Wise

As our focus shifts from the presidential election, did you know that every year is an election year? Important races are underway in our communities all the time. In fact, state and local elections often have the biggest impact on your everyday life. Public Wise and our partners help pro-democracy win every election, every year. ??Support us beyond 2024 here: bit.ly/4eISpQa #BansOffBooks #ShopSmall #BansOffOurBodies #YIMBY #LocalElectionsMatter #YourVoteYourVoice #VoteForChange

Have You Heard About HR 9495? A new bill, the “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act” (HR 9495), is under discussion and could have significant implications for 501(c)(3) organizations. While the bill aims to address terrorism financing, experts are raising concerns about the unintended consequences for nonprofit organizations under the upcoming Trump administration. Check out this week's edition of Wise Work to learn more about this critical issue and explore ways to take action.

I wrote this to my team the day after the election from the Atlanta airport. This week a few people cited it as being helpful and even in this tough time , I’m proud of how I showed up as a leader. Sharing with you all here in case it’s helpful. Team, In moments like these I kick into mom/social worker mode so bear with me. Please recognize that this loss may have physical as well as emotional effects on you. Take care of yourself. Your body may be processing this as grief, crisis, trauma, some or all of the above. Give yourself that space. Our work was incredible this cycle. We were dynamic, passionate, and strategic and our partners were inspiring. We all should hold on to the fact that we gave it our all in a while it’s hard to see now, there was actual progress. Put up an away message, take Thursday and Friday. The work ahead of us is long. We have planning and questions and a lot to think about over the next weeks and months, for now rest We’ll regroup on Monday. With gratitude, Christina

With the recent heaviness around us still sinking in, we’re thinking about what our community truly needs. If you, like us, are wondering how you can help create a work culture that reflects a vision for an equitable future, we welcome you to read our first LinkedIn-exclusive version of Public Wise’s newsletter: Wise Work. We’ve redesigned our newsletter to feature top tips for sustainable work practices, examples of community-based work that our partners are doing on the ground, and top nonprofit industry standards for the future of sustainable, person-centered work. Check it out and let us know in the comments if you find these tips helpful!

Public Wise wishes everyone a happy #VeteransDay! ???? We're thankful for our service members who fought for our right to a government made by, for, and of the people. Our democracy is a work in progress, but its foundation is rooted in our unalienable rights that are protected by these courageous individuals. Our partner Common Defense is made up of progressive veterans who stand against racism, hate, and violence in our communities. We're thankful for their dedication to keeping our country free and safe. At Public Wise, we see our work of securing an equitable democracy as patriotism in action. That's a vision for America we can all stand united in! ??

Two weeks ago I was in Boone, North Carolina with our partners Down Home North Carolina doing hurricane relief work. We walked into a homeless shelter and the first person, almost as if we had scripted it, ask us how she could get a ride to the polls. Yesterday I was out in Macon, GA with our partners Black Voters Matter. We caravanned through the streets behind the Blackest bus in America and had conversations with people in the streets, encouraging them to vote. People were running out of their houses waving their I voted stickers. A young Black man told one of the BVM organizers “I don’t do politics” and a quick and positive conversation from the young Black male organizer about how “politics is doing you” followed. I was really impressed with how the man on the street engaged and listened. As the only non-Black person I made a joke to one of the volunteers that people must be looking at me and saying “well that woman got lost.” Her response was hugging me and telling me “you’re not lost. You’re exactly where you should be.” Later in the day in Duluth, I was canvassing with our partner, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF) on older AAPI doors. We were looking up their polling places with them and helping them with their voting plans. An 82-year-old Korean man said to us “ thank you girls. You’re doing such important work.” I’m feeling hopeful about the results of this election, more than I have in a long time. But even more than that, I’m feeling really hopeful about the power building work Public Wise and our partners are doing out in the field. I’m incredibly proud of all of us and grateful to be doing this work alongside all of you.

The day is finally here! Public Wise hopes you vote like our democracy depends on it, because it very well might. ?? We know this day is the culmination of long-term community work. That's why Public Wise encourages year-long voter education work through our programming like offering paid civic engagement leave to employees wanting to do deep canvassing work for local races.? And we love seeing our community doing their civic duty! Comment below and tell us where you voted today! ????? Make sure to encourage your loved ones to get out to the polls today, before it's too late! ??? #GOTV #ElectionDay #CivicEngagement #CivicDuty #DemocracyInAction #CommunityPower #VoterEducation #VoteLocal #YourVoteMatters

?? Happy Halloween!? Listen, with the state of American democracy being what it is, we’re used to seeing unprecedented horrors play out right before our eyes, every day.? The statistics are scary: - Within the first 5 months of this year, 6 states enacted 7 new restrictive voting laws.? - Only 6 % of democracy funding goes toward voter education and engagement. - Because of inflation, each dollar given to civic engagement organizations now only covers .81 cents of the same expenses! Public Wise is working to ensure all this scary stuff has no future.? Consider a donation today as we work to keep election deniers and those who want to undermine our democracy out of office! ?? bit.ly/4eISpQa

In this week’s Wise Wednesdays, we’re gearing up for Election Day on November 5th. Learn about Public Wise's strategic plan and the many ways to get involved with our partners!