Grassroots organizations emerge as the linchpin in shaping policies, exerting influence over elections, and amplifying the often-overlooked voices within our communities. In 2021, Sister District launched the State Bridges Program knowing that the electoral gains we work so hard to achieve are possible in no small part because of the year-round efforts of local grassroots operations, often led by people of color, that center the voices of those most impacted by state policies. Since the program’s launch, Sister District volunteers and donors have directed over $775,000 in giving to impactful state-based organizations engaged in year-round progressive power building in key battleground states. 2024 has been a record-breaking fundraising year: we’ve raised more money than any other year since the program’s inception.

In 2024, the State Bridges Program supported 8 grassroots organizations who are building sustained progressive power across 4 critical states: Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In this blog post, we highlight achievements, testimonials, and goals of the partners we supported this year.

Arizona: Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA) – Donate here

  • LUCHA has knocked on 47,739 doors in Arizona, made 69,190 attempts, and registered approximately 10,000 voters so far in 2024.
  • Sister District fundraising supports LUCHA’s goals, including driving electoral victories, passing a state constitutional right to abortion, and defeating HCR 2060, which threatens mass deportations and increased immigration enforcement.
  • LUCHA aims to knock on 1 million doors, register 31,000 voters, pass a budget without cuts to essential services, and defeat harmful tax, revenue, and democracy legislation while advancing proactive policies.

Arizona: Rural Arizona Action (RAZA) – Donate here

  • RAZA has registered over 10,000 voters in rural counties (goal: 13,000), knocked on 15,000 doors in Yuma County to support the Governor’s budget, and pushed back on the anti-immigrant bill HRC 2060 and the 1864 abortion ban.
  • Sister District fundraising helped RAZA hire an organizer focused on Congressional District 6.
  • RAZA’s 2024 goals include winning top-ticket races (e.g., Gallego for Senate), gaining a state trifecta, winning downballot seats, and securing State House seats in LD-17 and LD-23 while protecting the seat in LD-16.

Michigan: We The People Action Fund – Donate here

  • Since their State Bridges event, We The People has engaged voters across diverse communities, won a $4 million racial equity appropriation for Benton Harbor schools, and launched voter organizing programs statewide.
  • Sister District fundraising enabled We The People to hire a new Political Director to support voter organizing in critical state house races.
  • We The People’s 2024 goals include fundraising for their State Coordinated PAC, expanding their bases, protecting Democratic incumbents in five marginal state house seats, and passing DRIVE SAFE and Renter’s Bill of Rights legislation.

Michigan: Mothering Justice – Donate here

  • Mothering Justice engaged 300 contacts through events and canvassing, reached 934 contacts through relational organizing efforts, and held nationwide roundtables for Black, Brown, and Indigenous mothers to advocate with officials.
  • Sister District fundraising enabled Mothering Justice to compensate Mamavist Movement Fellows and invest in Black women running for office.
  • Mothering Justice’s 2024 goals include building a coalition to support 30 Black women running for office by 2025/2026, and developing a strategy to become the leading expert on mothers of color through extensive data collection and engagement.

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Stands Up – Donate here

  • Pennsylvania Stands Up has focused on member democracy and base building, held retreats and power mapping sessions on climate and housing, and mobilized their base with 2,804 volunteer hours, participation from 620 contacts, and 84 leaders trained.
  • Sister District fundraising enabled Pennsylvania Stands Up to hire a distributed organizer to recruit volunteers, train leaders, run joint deep canvass phone banks, and expand strategically beyond their existing areas.
  • Pennsylvania Stands Up’s 2024 goals include flipping 3 PA State House seats, training 140 leaders to run phone banks and canvasses, recruiting 2025 municipal candidates, and connecting voters with IRA benefits.

Pennsylvania: PA United – Donate here

  • PA United has made 54,118 door knocks, 83,081 phone calls, registered over 400 voters in underrepresented communities, and contributed to re-electing Congresswoman Summer Lee in the primary.
  • Sister District fundraising helped PA United expand their field infrastructure, building a team of canvassers to reach nearly 20 communities of 10k-20k voters in small cities and towns across Western and Central PA who won’t be reached by any other field program this year.
  • PA United’s 2024 goals include re-electing President Biden by knocking nearly 750,000 doors and making over 500,000 phone calls, maintaining or expanding the Democratic majority in the State House, stopping the expansion of private school vouchers, and passing $50 million in renewed funding for the Whole Home Repairs program.

Wisconsin: Citizen Action of Wisconsin – Donate here

  • Citizen Action made 7,900 phone calls and knocked on 2,100 doors for 16 candidates and public education referendums, moving undecided voters at rates of 24% on doors and 15% on phones. They also increased volunteer involvement for the BadgerCare Public Option Bill, securing 44 out of 46 Democratic co-sponsors.
  • Sister District fundraising enabled Citizen Action to use an auto-dialer for all races, allowing top priority candidates, even those with only a few wards, to receive calls into their district.
  • Citizen Action’s 2024 goals include building the organizing revival through deep canvassing, recruiting and developing leaders, candidates, and campaign managers, and boosting state legislature races, including competitive primaries, while promoting climate justice and healthcare initiatives.

Wisconsin: WISDOM Action Network – Donate here

  • WISDOM has registered 628 voters, held leadership trainings in 5 cities, and conducted monthly online democracy trainings.
  • Sister District fundraising helped WISDOM hire a full-time data director.
  • WISDOM’s 2024 goals include holding 20 more candidate events before the general election and closing two dangerous and inhumane prisons by reducing the incarcerated population with candidate commitments.

The State Bridges Program stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, bridging geographical divides to amplify progressive voices and drive change. From the heart of Michigan to the landscapes of Arizona and Wisconsin, grassroots organizations foster civic engagement that translates into voter participation. As these testimonials and stories illustrate, the impact of these partnerships extends far beyond borders, creating a ripple effect that resonates across the nation.