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Our Mission

Democracy North Carolina is a nonpartisan organization that uses research, organizing, and advocacy to strengthen democratic structures, build power among disenfranchised communities, and inspire confidence in a transformed political process that works for all.

Our Vision for NC

Our state’s democratic structures and policies are a national model, ensuring voting access and fair representation for every North Carolinian— especially the Black, brown, and low-wealth people who have been the targets of voter suppression.

Existing and emerging community activists, leaders, coalitions, and partners work together to strategically build power and expand participation.

People believe that true democracy is possible and worth the work.

Core Values

Equity

  • We value equity as both the foundational principle that embodies the outcomes we seek to produce and the process by which we work to achieve them.
  • We believe that inclusive collaboration respects all voices but specifically lifts up those who have been historically marginalized.
  • We believe that dismantling systemic racism and white supremacy benefits all individuals and communities.

COMMUNITY-BASED LEADERSHIP

  • We believe that leaders build power for others, not themselves.
  • We seek to be a trusted partner in building community-level power across all lines, including class, race, and generation.
  • We value the expertise that people have in their own communities, and will adapt our role to ensure they thrive as leaders.

EMPATHY

  • We believe in leading with the heart first. All of the work we do is to better the day-to-day lives of all North Carolinians.
  • We recognize that we must listen and learn from others, and we seek continuous improvement and growth as an organization.
  • We believe that communities and individuals must build and exercise power with humility and understanding.

BOLD ACTION

  • We believe in standing up for our principles and communities, and for pursuing our particular work in
    service of a just and equitable democracy.
  • We believe in building the trust and ability of our staff, advocates, supporters, partners, and the general public by exchanging knowledge, creating shared experiences, and
    practicing transparency.
  • We are accountable to each other, the communities we serve, and we hold elected officials accountable to those we serve.

Theory of Change

Democracy North Carolina works to increase both access to the political process and fair
representation within it, especially for historically marginalized communities who have
been the targets of voter suppression.

We aim to achieve this by:

  • Strengthening democratic structures and policies;
  • Building power and expanding civic participation at the community level and;
  • Advancing the belief that true democracy is both possible and worth the work.

These goals are inseparably tied to one another. Structural change requires a critical mass of public support, grassroots power relies on the existence of a system in which it can be exercised, and both must be rooted in a shared understanding that an inclusive political process will produce better outcomes for all.

We provide tools to help people take ownership of their government and win on issues that advance the common good. Here are highlights of some research reports, as well as formal complaints that we’ve filed against lawmakers from all political stripes since 1991.

Visit our Take Action page for information on what you can do to help further our basic mission or for information on becoming a Democracy Advocate.