GRANT PROPOSAL RECORD

Jam: K..Maclver institute tar Public Em:

ADDRESS: .
44 East Mi??l?n Street, Suite 201
Madison, WI 53703

CQNTACT:

Mr. Brett Healy

AM OUNT REQUESTED: $19,640

STAFF $131640

PROJECT To support a speciai project
BOARD MEMBERS AFFILIATED

REQUEST:

STAFF: Janet Riordan

MEETING DATE: 8m 8I2015

PROPOSAL 20150647

BACKGROUND:

Although Wisconsinites may be feeling compiacent that the reduction in union dues and membership has
reduced the progressive movement?s efficacy, in fact, the opposite is true. While Wisconsin's conservative
infrastructure has remained relatively static in size and membership over the past severai years. the Left
has been on the move. The number and scope of progressive organizations continues to grow.

The circle of the tett's power groups is well known. it is an unholy alliance of non?profit groups, taxpayer?
funded social agencies, bureaucrats, teachers, unions, and a compiicit media. Their unity and focused
messaging overwhelm the relatively puny and underfunded voices from the rigors non?profit
organizations. The result is a widelvuaccepted and disseminated status quo of government growth and
anti~freedom ideologies.

An example of this is Wisconsin Voices, a iocal outpost of the national State Voices. Founded in 2013 it is a
?a network of over 60 nonpartisan civic engagement organizations that leverage their coilective power to
mobilize and empower people. particularly those who make up the emerging American majority." its
purpose is (somewhat ironically) to coordinate progressive groups? activities according to a long-term plan
that will add financing and power.

its first year budget was just over $613,000 but Wisconsin Voices used that funding to acquire and

distribute $2.5 million dollars to its partner groups. One of its core functions is to use those groups in

sophisticated get-out?the?vote efforts. In 2014 the groups sent out nearly 1,000,000 pieces of mail and

made 400,000 voter contacts, efforts which, theyF claim. resulted in the highest ieftist voter turnout in a
Wisconsin midterm election in 63 years.

A 2008 report The LiberaifConservative infrastructure in Wisconsin, researched and written for the
Feuhdation by Brett Healy and Scott Jensen. set out the infrastructure of the Left in Wisconsin, providing
a road map of connections and funding capacities. Now Brett Heaiy is iooiring to provide an update to that
report, investigating the Left's increasing power base. The new report, The Progressive Non?Pro?t
Movement in Wisconsin will research the full scope of the Le??s new infrastructure, its funding, and its
leadership. A grant of $19,640 is requested.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

A grant of $1 9,640 is recommended.

 

John K, Meolver institute tor Public Policy

 

 

 

Grant History

Project Titte Grant Amount Approved Fund
To support general operations $170000 11l11t2014 Regular
To support general operations $1?0.000 11/132013 Reg uiar
To Support general operations $1?r?0,000 101302012 Regular
To support 2012 special projects $20,000 0I2?ll2012 Regular
To support general operations $170000 Regular
To support general operations $160,000 0117t2010 Reguter
To support general operations 3350.000 0J18t2009 Regutar
To support general operations $50,000 1013:2003 Regular
Grand Totals (8 items} $1,060,000

 

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