February 2024
♥ STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART ♥
Remember when these signs were everywhere–at marches, in windows, festooning people’s yards? In these troubled times of so much fear and vitriol, the sentiment can seem quaint, even naive. Yet it’s essential not to lose sight of the affirmative values that are at the heart of all we do. Love is the core–love of country, love of community, love of our neighbors, friends, families, and future generations. It’s what motivates us to care and work tirelessly to improve the lives of ordinary people throughout the country. As the poet Mary Oliver says, “My work is loving the world.”
It’s our work, too. We express it by donating, showing up, listening deeply, organizing, canvassing, postcarding, phone banking, texting, voting, lifting people up, reaching out to friends and family, persevering–all the love languages of grassroots activism.
Apropos of this season of love, think back to last Valentine’s Day, when Down Home North Carolina delivered valentines to state legislators urging them to pass Medicaid expansion. It worked! Not just the valentines, of course, though they were the cherry on top of more than a decade of advocacy. Once-stalwart GOP opposition ended, and on December 1, 2023, enrollment began for more than 600,000 North Carolinians previously deprived of health care. Now Down Home is helping folks sign up!
That’s just one example of our Partner Groups’ labors of love. Michigan Liberation raises money to bail mothers out of jail and lobbies for a mental health and wellness approach for community safety in their Care, Not Criminalization campaign. Georgia’s Black Male Initiative Fund just distributed survival kits to Atlanta’s unhoused men, “sharing the warmth and the love.” Another group just sent out its voter guide with the inspiring message of why voting matters, “Can you feel it? The power in your hands to shape the future of our beloved local community.”
You, too, are part of the beloved community by helping to make all of this possible. Heather Cox Richardson recently said, “As frightening as this moment is, it’s also a time of effervescence when we get to rebuild the country in the way we want.” Your fierce love and generosity are the building blocks of victory in 2024 and a better future beyond. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Live from the Frontlines kicked off the year with a great program last month featuring bestselling author Steve Phillips and organizers from our Georgia Partner Group, Black Male Initiative Fund. Thanks to donors’ generosity, we raised $28,000 to keep Georgia Blue! We have a great series planned this year, and invite you to attend and spread the word. Next up–Robert Hubbell and Nevada!
WINNING THE GROUND GAME
Robert Hubbell
February 15, Thursday, 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET
Robert Hubbell’s Today’s Edition on Substack has provided a reflection on each day’s electoral news through the lens of hope since 2017. His analysis of the most recent developments is always incisive and inspiring – particularly in evaluating legal matters that shape the candidates’ campaigns. Join us to hear why in spite of all the legal wranglings, he continues to have optimism about the future of democracy and thinks grassroots groups on the ground are the key for winning at the ballot box.
We will also hear from leaders of One APIA Nevada. Nevada is a key battleground state in 2024, with high-stakes Presidential and US Senate races as well as multiple down-ballot races and ballot measures. Nevada also has one of the fastest-growing yet overlooked constituencies--Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders, a powerful emerging voting bloc. With its innovative, multi-lingual, and multi-generational engagement, One APIA Nevada effectively mobilizes these communities. Come hear how with your support, One APIA Nevada will execute a winning ground game in November.
Eric Jeng, One APIA Nevada
If you can’t make it, but would like to help our Airlift partner group One APIA Nevada here’s the place:
TURN YOUR PASSION INTO ACTION
Editor’s Note: David Ford, a treasured volunteer who writes regular features for The DROP without complaining that he never gets a byline, recently had a brilliant idea: He decided to hold a fundraiser for Airlift combining his passion for working with storytellers and his political activism. David shares his experience below (which brought in sizable and much-appreciated donations from people who had mostly never heard of Airlift). Perhaps it will spark your own ideas about engaging your communities in creative cross-fertilization that are a win-win all around.
I’ve been volunteering for Airlift for about five years: donating money, showing up for events, and writing articles for The DROP. In recent years, every election seems to be more important than the last, so I was looking for a way to up my game.
Like most of you, I have several communities I engage with: friends, family, work colleagues, work clients, neighbors.
I have a peculiar business: working with people who are writing and performing their own stories. In fact I was first introduced to Airlift by Alison Whitaker, who I worked with on creating a very successful show at The Marsh Theater about nursing. But, as peculiar as my particular niche is, I am, essentially, a consultant, helping creative people develop their projects.
In thinking about how to encourage my client base to support Airlift without making them feel like I was spamming them, it struck me that I could offer them consulting time in trade for their donation to Airlift. I teamed up with a colleague, Mark Kenward, who does similar work. We picked a weekend, set a donation price that was about twice our normal rate, blocked out 24 time slots that clients could sign up for, and hoped for the best.
It went great! People enthusiastically signed up, easily filling every slot. Some people couldn’t come to the event, but donated anyway. In short, it went as well as my wildest hopes.
One other thing that surprised and satisfied me–most of the people who turned out were not the people I am currently working with. Instead, people I had not seen for years came, using the event to dust off old projects. Some now want to continue working with me on a regular basis. Talk about win-win!
I encourage you to think of other creative ways to engage everyone you can in this crucial election!
ACTIVATING YOUNG NEVADAN VOTERS WITH
BOBA, PUPPIES, AND K-POP
One APIA Nevada works to engage the Asian and Pacific Islander community in the political process. Nevada’s APIA community is growing fast, now comprising 12% of Nevada’s population. But only 25% of APIA youth–a potential political powerhouse–have been voting in recent elections. How to address this shortfall? By starting a Youth Fellowship Program.
The first thing they’ve done, says Amy Koo, One APIA’s Political Director, is to understand what issues motivate APIA youth. The top concern is climate change–hardly a surprise given that increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patterns might make parts of Nevada uninhabitable within their lifetimes.
The recent increase in Asian-targeted hate crimes is another big concern. Anti-Asian racism spiked with the pandemic, but existed long before, dating back to the building of the railroads. In 1878, an arson-caused fire destroyed Reno’s Chinatown. In 1908, the Nevada Health Board ordered the razing of the community, alleging that it was a source of the bubonic plague then spreading throughout the West (an eerie prelude to the pandemic-associated hate crimes of recent years).
Education also deeply concerns and motivates APIA young people. Nevada rates low in terms of statewide education; its biggest school district, Clark County (which includes Las Vegas), has been having serious funding problems. This has a huge impact on the burgeoning APIA youth population there.
Education is also about action, not just classroom learning. One APIA Nevada brings APIA youth to annual lobbying days at Nevada’s state capitol in Carson City. This is a chance for the kids to learn they have a right and obligation to engage with their state representatives. Amy describes bringing a pair of girls last year: “They were nervous, of course, they were just in high school. That’s why we put them up together, to support each other.” The two testified in front of a state legislative committee on the needs of public education. Empowered and enthusiastic, the girls felt ready to do it again!
The final and maybe most important part of engaging younger Nevadans? Keep It Fun! One highly successful event, “Boba and Puppies,” encouraged people to bring their dogs and share some Boba tea. (Boba–the apparent key to political organizing–is in fact served at almost every event!) At K-pop (Korean pop music) dances, people are encouraged to participate in the election. At phone banking events, One APIA Nevada gives out bingo cards where callers score for things like “voter hung up” or “voter swore”. The normal headaches of phone banking become a fun game!
Like the other partner groups Airlift supports, One APIA Nevada works creatively and enthusiastically year-round to build an engaged community. These are the ingredients that create voters and leaders who can change Nevada’s politics in a real and lasting way.
GIVE BIG AND GIVE EARLY
That’s our mantra for this crucial election year, and Airlifters are coming through! Heeding the call, donor Steve Schroeder sent a big donation along with his wife Sally with a comment that says it all: “Big year for the U.S!”
Indeed.
You know what’s at stake. We know you care. The more resources our Partner Groups have now, the stronger our chances for victory in November. That’s why we launched a special appeal in late January asking people to sign on for our Give Big and Give Early Pledge Drive. It’s already brought in $29,000 on top of our latest Frontline event and usual monthly donations.
Thanks to everyone who has already signed on and/or donated–it inspires others to do the same:
Danny A ♥ Ruth J ♥ Barbara M ♥ Julia R ♥ Annie S ♥ Steve & Sally S ♥
Laurie G ♥ Anne K ♥ Jan O ♥ Craig H ♥ Carol K
Plus many more who wish to remain anonymous but who’ve already donated.
It’s a great start toward our 2024 goal of $1.75 million. Let’s keep it up!
Or jump right in by donating now:
Besides signing the pledge and hitting that big, beautiful Give Big button above that takes you to ActBlue, here’s how else you can help:
Donate by Check. Set up automatic payments to Airlift with the Bill Pay service at your bank, or send a check directly to: Airlift, PO Box 617, Corte Madera CA 94976
Make it Monthly! Becoming a monthly donor means our partners can count on having the resources they need year-round to build trust, engage their communities, and turn out voters. You can frontload a higher amount for the first quarter, then change it if you want to as the year progresses.
For Tax-Deductible Giving. Although non-tax-deductible 501c4 gifts allow our partners the most flexibility for political action, tax-deductible 501c3 donations are welcome too. Email Ruth Jaeger at ruth@airlift.fund.
Host a House Party, or create your own fundraiser: Be inspired by David Ford’s example above. We'll help you develop your ideas. Contact info@airlift.fund.
Spread the word! Tell your friends and family about Airlift and our events. Share this newsletter and our website.
Thanks!
Airlift is an all-volunteer organization. Less than 2% of all proceeds go to expenses, the rest goes to our partner groups.
FIELD NOTES
Pennsylvania Stands Up continues to stand strong for abortion rights, noting that “the government has no place in our doctors' offices. Our rights are under threat, and it's up to us to protect them. If they come for repro rights, they can come for ANY rights!” PASU’s tireless work in 2023 helped flip the state House blue and defend our majority on the State Supreme Court, which just overturned a state ban on publicly-funded abortions, ruling that the right to reproductive autonomy–including the right to an abortion–is fundamental.
Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA)’s advocacy helps deliver $75M for affordable housing. Read more. Plus, taking a fun beat from Taylor Swift, LUCHA celebrates its own Eras Tour, highlighting 2023 accomplishments. See more.
Black Male Initiative Georgia spreads the warmth and shares the love by distributing survival kits to 200 unhoused men in Atlanta. See more.
Carolina Federation chapter Guilford for All empowers county residents facing evictions (more than 16,000 last year alone). Teaming up with the American Friends Service Committee, they’re making sure that every tenant who goes to eviction court has the resources they need to understand and defend their rights.
Victory for Down Home North Carolina, their co-plaintiffs, and all North Carolinians as a federal judge blocks a key portion of the state’s newly enacted voter suppression law. Read more.
