Democracy NC
Group
Democracy NC began as Democracy South in 1991 as a project of the radical liberal political group – Institute For Southern Studies, where Bob Hall, the group’s only leader, worked for 25 years and was founding editor of their magazine, Southern Exposure.
In a series of articles, the Civitas Institute has pointed out that “Democracy NC is a radical left wing partisan group and its director, Bob Hall, is the State Board of Election’s right-hand man …. Democracy NC is portrayed in the press as ‘a campaign finance watchdog group’ or ‘a non-partisan watchdog group,’ never as a ‘liberal leaning group’ or as a ‘liberal advocacy group.’ This despite constant lobbying against issues like voter ID, and for taxpayer-financed campaigns and other liberal pet projects.”
Democracy NC is a founding member of Blueprint NC, the group that gained infamy with their strategy memo that directed their members to “eviscerate, mitigate, litigate, cogitate and agitate” the state’s leadership in 2013, and Bob Hall and Democracy NC lead the charge. Democracy NC has received grants from North Carolina’s biggest funder of anything liberal, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. The grants totaled $4.2 million in a 10-year period for things such as lobbying for progressive ideas, public financing of campaigns and other liberal favorites.
In December of 2015 Democracy NC joined with the ACLU to sue the State Board of Elections, accusing them of violating the National Voter Registration Act – known as “motor voter law.” The State Board of Elections immediately provided data and charts to demonstrate that the lawsuit was most likely frivolous.
| Financials: Source IRS 990s | |||||
| Year | Revenue | Expenditures | Net Assets | ||
| 2012 | $1,280,086 | $1,152,494 | $666,891 | ||
| 2013 | $1,126,679 | $1,144,923 | $648,647 | ||
| 2014 | $1,847,709 | $1,811,542 | $684,814 | ||
| 2015 | $1,558,118 | $1,534,986 | $706,832 | ||
| 2016 | $3,327,055 | $2,789,570 | $1,256,825 | ||
Please scroll to view People or Funders
People Connections:
| Person | Position | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Beyah | Board Vice President | Current |
| Becky Carver | Development Director | Current |
| Bob Hall | Executive Director | Current |
| Cheryl Ellis | Organizing Director | Current |
| Darlene Azarmi | Western NC Organizer | Current |
| Diane Robertson | Board Secretary | Current |
| Isela Gutierrez-Gunter | Associate Research Director | Current |
| Jake Gellar-Goad | Volunteer and Administrative Coordinator | Current |
| Jen Jones | Communications Manager | Current |
| Jennifer Frye | Associate Director | Current |
| Julie Mooney | Board Member | Current |
| Kevin Foy | Board Treasurer | Current |
| Kim McGuire | Board Member | Current |
| Leigh Bradley | Office Manager | Current |
| Linda Sutton | Field Organizer | Current |
| Louisa Warren | Board Member | Current |
| Marcus Bass | Campaign Manager | Current |
| Nancy Clark-Shakir | Field Organizer, Southeast NC | Current |
| Quinton Harper | Field Director | Current |
| Sonya Bennetone | Board Member | Current |
| Terry Taylor-Allen | Board Member | Current |
| Wib Gulley | Board President | Current |
| Zeb Smathers | Board Member | Current |
| Adam Sotak | Organizing Director | Former |
| Adam Sotak | Organizing Director | Former |
| Adam Sotak | Statewide Campaign Organizer | Former |
| Adam Sotak | Western NC Field Organizer | Former |
| Anthony E. (Tony) Foriest | Board Member | Former |
| Ashley Foxx | Field Organizer | Former |
| Beth Messersmith | Co-Executive Director | Former |
| Betty Chafin Rash | Board Member | Former |
| Brad Thompson | Board Member | Former |
| Diane Roberts | Board Member | Former |
| Gabe Casalett | Communications Specialist | Former |
| Iris Green | Member | Former |
| Jane Whilden | Board of Directors | Former |
| Jennifer Lyday | Board Member | Former |
| Jeremy Collins | Field Organizer | Former |
| Julie Mooney | Board President | Former |
| Kathy Knight | Board Vice President | Former |
| Molly Beacham | Director of Development | Former |
| Monique Jackson | Part-time Assistant Organizer | Former |
| Natalie Watson | Emeritus Board Chair | Former |
| Omisade Burney-Scott | Training Director | Former |
| Peg Chapin | Board Chair | Former |
| Peter Walz | Community Organizer | Former |
| Reginald Watson | Emeritus Board Chair | Former |
| Ruben Campillo | Board Treasurer | Former |
| Shoneca Kent | Field Organizer, Northeastern NC | Former |
| Tom Coulson | Board Member | Former |
This group funded by:
| Funder | Year | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amador Foundation Inc. | 2016 | $1,000.00 | Organizational support |
| Bydale Foundation | 2016 | $10,000.00 | |
| Calvert Social Investment Foundation | 2016 | $10,000.00 | General operating support |
| Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro | 2016 | $5,000.00 | General support |
| Ingredion Charitable Foundation | 2016 | $2,100.00 | |
| Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Inc | 2016 | $50,000.00 | For general operating support |
| Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Inc | 2016 | $50,000.00 | For general operating support |
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc | 2016 | $27,000.00 | |
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc | 2016 | $10,000.00 | |
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc | 2016 | $2,000.00 | |
| The Double E Foundation | 2016 | $1,000.00 | General support |
| The Hummel Family Fund, Inc. | 2016 | $2,000.00 | |
| The Mary Norris Preyer Fund | 2016 | $5,000.00 | |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2016 | $410,000.00 | For general operating support |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2016 | $200,000.00 | For support of the Millennial Engagement Partnership Project |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | 2015 | $109,810.00 | |
| Ingredion Charitable Foundation | 2015 | $3,000.00 | |
| Julian Price Family Foundation | 2015 | $2,500.00 | General purpose of charity |
| Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Inc | 2015 | $100,000.00 | For general operating support |
| NEO Philanthropy | 2015 | $200,000.00 | Grant made through State Infrastructure Fund (SIF) |
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc | 2015 | $25,000.00 | |
| The Double E Foundation | 2015 | $1,000.00 | General support |
| The Mary Norris Preyer Fund | 2015 | $5,000.00 | |
| The Warner Foundation | 2015 | $40,000.00 | Program development |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2015 | $45,250.00 | Voter education and registration |
| Wallace Global Fund II | 2015 | $50,000.00 | General Support to protect and expand democratic systems |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2015 | $1,150,000.00 | For general operating support |
| Bydale Foundation | 2014 | $10,000.00 | |
| Carolyn W. and Charles T. Beaird Family Foundation | 2014 | $1,000.00 | Increase voter participation |
| Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation | 2014 | $22,200.00 | |
| Herb Block Foundation | 2014 | $15,000.00 | Grassroots Voter Protection Project |
| Julian Price Family Foundation | 2014 | $4,000.00 | General purpose of charity |
| Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Inc | 2014 | $50,000.00 | |
| Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Inc | 2014 | $5,000.00 | Organizational Development |
| NEO Philanthropy | 2014 | $125,000.00 | Policy, advocacy and systems reform; Litigation |
| New Venture Fund | 2014 | $10,000.00 | Education programs |
| Park Foundation Inc | 2014 | $10,000.00 | |
| Proteus Fund Inc | 2014 | $13,500.00 | General support. Grant made through Piper Fund |
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc | 2014 | $25,000.00 | |
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc | 2014 | $1,000.00 | |
| The Double E Foundation | 2014 | $1,000.00 | |
| The Hummel Family Fund, Inc. | 2014 | $2,000.00 | |
| The Warner Foundation | 2014 | $40,000.00 | Program development |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2014 | $10,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2014 | $9,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2014 | $3,000.00 | For general support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2014 | $2,500.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2014 | $2,500.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2014 | $2,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2014 | $2,000.00 | For general operating expenses |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2014 | $1,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2014 | $1,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2014 | $1,000.00 | |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2014 | $700,000.00 | For support of the Millennial Engagement Partnership Project |
| Amador Foundation Inc. | 2013 | $1,000.00 | Organizational support |
| Foundation For The Carolinas | 2013 | $150,000.00 | |
| Julian Price Family Foundation | 2013 | $6,500.00 | General purpose of charity |
| Park Foundation Inc | 2013 | $10,000.00 | For Youth Leadership Training Project, offering training and summer workshops for college-age students in North Carolina to develop citizenship responsibilities and community organizing skills |
| Proteus Fund Inc | 2013 | $17,000.00 | General/operating support For general support |
| Public Welfare Foundation Inc | 2013 | $1,000.00 | General/operating support For General support |
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc | 2013 | $5,000.00 | |
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc | 2013 | $500.00 | |
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc | 2013 | $300.00 | |
| The Dolphin Foundation, Inc. | 2013 | $1,000.00 | Support |
| The Double E Foundation | 2013 | $1,000.00 | For general operating budget |
| The Hummel Family Fund, Inc. | 2013 | $2,000.00 | |
| The Lillian Goldman Charitable Trust | 2013 | $25,000.00 | |
| The Warner Foundation | 2013 | $40,000.00 | To provide support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2013 | $25,000.00 | For general support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2013 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2013 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2013 | $5,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2013 | $3,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2013 | $3,000.00 | For general support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2013 | $1,500.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2013 | $1,500.00 | For the general fund to help with Z Smith Reynolds grant |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2013 | $1,000.00 | |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | 2013 | $10,000.00 | For General Operating Expenses |
| Wallace Global Fund II | 2013 | $40,000.00 | For program support |
| William B. Wiener, Jr. Foundation | 2013 | $30,000.00 | Charitable purpose of recipient |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2013 | $600,000.00 | For general operating support |
| Bydale Foundation | 2012 | $10,000.00 | Unrestricted |
| Educational Foundation of America | 2012 | $80,000.00 | |
| Julian Price Family Foundation | 2012 | $4,000.00 | General purpose of charity |
| NEO Philanthropy | 2012 | $50,000.00 | For Grant made through SIF - State Infrastructure Fund |
| Park Foundation Inc | 2012 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Proteus Fund Inc | 2012 | $13,500.00 | General/operating support For general support |
| The Greater New Orleans Foundation | 2012 | $2,000.00 | |
| Tides Foundation | 2012 | $10,000.00 | General/operating support For general support |
| Tides Foundation | 2012 | $10,000.00 | Program development For voter registration efforts for youth of color |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2012 | $20,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2012 | $15,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2012 | $15,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2012 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2012 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2012 | $3,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2012 | $1,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2012 | $1,000.00 | For the general fund |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2012 | $400,000.00 | For general operating support |
| Bydale Foundation | 2011 | $7,500.00 | |
| Carnegie Corporation of New York | 2011 | $50,000.00 | Program development; Research To develop and document national model for expanding civic engagement among youth through voter pre-registration policies |
| Educational Foundation of America | 2011 | $25,000.00 | Program development For Voter-Owned Elections for North Carolina |
| Foundation to Promote Open Society | 2011 | $100,000.00 | General/operating support; Continuing support For general support |
| Park Foundation Inc | 2011 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support; Program development For Youth Leadership Training Project offering training and summer workshops for college-age students in North Carolina to develop citizenship responsibilities and community organizing skills |
| The Greater New Orleans Foundation | 2011 | $2,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2011 | $17,500.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2011 | $15,000.00 | General/operating support For general operations |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2011 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2011 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2011 | $10,000.00 | Program development To help defend voting rights |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2011 | $2,500.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2011 | $1,000.00 | General/operating support For general support |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2011 | $30,000.00 | For general operating support |
| Bydale Foundation | 2010 | $7,500.00 | |
| Educational Foundation of America | 2010 | $50,000.00 | General/operating support For general support |
| Foundation to Promote Open Society | 2010 | $100,000.00 | General/operating support; Continuing support For general operating support |
| Julian Price Family Foundation | 2010 | $2,500.00 | |
| Park Foundation Inc | 2010 | $15,000.00 | Continuing support; Program development For Youth Leadership Training Project |
| The Greater New Orleans Foundation | 2010 | $2,000.00 | |
| The Winston-Salem Foundation | 2010 | $2,200.00 | Conferences/seminars For advocacy workshops and youth civic engagement trainings |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2010 | $15,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2010 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2010 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2010 | $1,000.00 | For Summer 2009 intern |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2010 | $700,000.00 | For general operating support |
| Carnegie Corporation of New York | 2009 | $50,000.00 | Program development; Research Toward research and public education around youth voter pre-registration policies |
| Educational Foundation of America | 2009 | $100,000.00 | Program development For Voter-Owned Elections for North Carolina |
| Foundation to Promote Open Society | 2009 | $100,000.00 | General/operating support For general support The period covered here includes a number of grants given to assist organizations that have been the recipients of support from the JEHT Fund In most such cases these were one-time grants |
| Park Foundation Inc | 2009 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support; Program development For Youth Leadership Training Project |
| The Greater New Orleans Foundation | 2009 | $2,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2009 | $25,000.00 | Continuing support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2009 | $15,000.00 | General/operating support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2009 | $12,500.00 | General/operating support; Continuing support For general support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2009 | $10,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2009 | $3,150.00 | |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2009 | $350,000.00 | For general operating support |
| Park Foundation Inc | 2008 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support; Program development For Youth Leadership Training Project |
| The Greater New Orleans Foundation | 2008 | $2,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2008 | $20,000.00 | General/operating support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2008 | $15,000.00 | Program development For Community Grantmaking Program |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2008 | $10,000.00 | Program development For Community Grantmaking Program |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2008 | $5,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2008 | $1,000.00 | For operational support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2008 | $1,000.00 | For general operating support |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2008 | $1,000.00 | General/operating support |
| Carnegie Corporation of New York | 2007 | $150,000.00 | Continuing support; Program development; Research For final grant toward research and public education on impact of same-day registration and other voting reforms on turnout in North Carolina |
| Park Foundation Inc | 2007 | $25,000.00 | Program development For Campaign Donors for Campaign Reform program |
| Park Foundation Inc | 2007 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support; Program development For Youth Leadership Training Project |
| The Greater New Orleans Foundation | 2007 | $1,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2007 | $47,900.00 | Continuing support |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2007 | $700,000.00 | For general operating support |
| Carnegie Corporation of New York | 2006 | $50,000.00 | Program development; Research Toward research and public education on impact of same-day registration and voting on turnout in North Carolina |
| Educational Foundation of America | 2006 | $100,000.00 | Program development For Same Day Registration and Voting Project |
| Park Foundation Inc | 2006 | $10,000.00 | Program development For Youth Leadership Training Project |
| Proteus Fund Inc | 2006 | $15,000.00 | Program development For public education on campaign finance reform |
| Proteus Fund Inc | 2006 | $7,500.00 | Program development For public education on campaign finance reform |
| The Greater New Orleans Foundation | 2006 | $1,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2006 | $14,250.00 | Continuing support |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2006 | $350,000.00 | For general operating support tofight influence of money in politics and advocate for good government reforms |
| Bydale Foundation | 2005 | $5,000.00 | |
| Park Foundation Inc | 2005 | $10,000.00 | Continuing support; Program development For Leadership Development Training Project |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2005 | $4,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2005 | $3,000.00 | |
| Triangle Community Foundation | 2005 | $2,000.00 | |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2005 | $350,000.00 | For general operating support |
| Carnegie Corporation of New York | 2004 | $25,000.00 | Program development; Research Toward research public education and advocacy on judicial campaign financing reform in North Carolina |
| Park Foundation Inc | 2004 | $15,000.00 | Program development For Leadership Development Project |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2004 | $400,000.00 | For general support to educate the public about comprehensive campaign finance and voting rights reforms |
| Z Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc | 2003 | $400,000.00 | For general support to continue building public support for comprehensive campaign finance and voting rights reforms |
Issues:
- Campaign Finance
- Election and Voting
- Liberal Policy Advocates
- Progressive Public Policy Advocate
- Social and Economic Justice
- Voting
Networks:
- Democracy NC
- Blueprint NC
- Together NC Partner Coalition
- Moral Mondays
- Z Smith Reynolds Foundation
- Student/Youth Training Network
Address 1:
1821 Green Street
City:
Durham
State:
NC
Zip:
27705
External Links: