About The Civic Exchange
A people-powered, collaborative, joint fundraising and non-partisan platform offering a portfolio of initiatives and organizations across the civic ecosystem — all working to build a brighter future for the American people.
Shifting the focus from red & blue to the mighty network of everyday heroes and inspiring organizations striving to improve the lives of Americans — all year round.
Collaborative by Design
A first-of-its-kind joint fundraising platform where civic organizations pool visibility, amplify each other's missions, and reach donors together.
Transparent & Accountable
Every donation is tracked with a unique signature per organization and ambassador — so funds reach exactly where you intend, with full post-campaign reporting.
Year-Round Engagement
Civic health isn't seasonal. The Exchange keeps you connected to the causes and organizations doing the work 365 days a year — not just on Election Day.
Putting the Power to Drive Change Into the Hands of the People
The Civic Exchange offers the public a transparent and collaborative way to be a part of the change all year round — a chance for people everywhere to directly engage with the civic ecosystem and empower all Americans to go beyond casting a ballot once per year.
We feature a range of initiatives from hyper-local to national to coalition-based — maximizing the advantages of a portfolio of civic-health organizations all in one place. From grassroots campaigns to established institutions, every cause on our platform is working to strengthen the fabric of American democracy.
Through our Ambassador program, anyone can step up as a leader, build their own dedicated fundraising page, and take charge of driving funds and visibility toward the levers of change they believe in most.
Our Top Civic Investors
Step up as an Ambassador and compete to drive the most impact. Every gift tracked, every leader celebrated.
2024 — Vision Formed
Mediators Foundation envisions a new kind of civic platform — collaborative, non-partisan, portfolio-based.
Co-Built with Leaders
Local and national voices from across the civic ecosystem helped shape the platform's structure and values.
2025 — First Campaign Launch
The inaugural campaign went live, pooling visibility, gamifying engagement, and spotlighting civic work at every scale.
Today — Growing the Exchange
Partners continue to refine the platform and gain tools to enrich their own campaigns as the network expands.
How Did It All Start?
The Civic Exchange was envisioned by Mediators Foundation in 2024 as a field-building initiative — a platform that could do what no single nonprofit could do alone: bring the entire civic ecosystem into one place, make it discoverable, and give everyday Americans a front-row seat to all the change happening around them.
Together with partners represented by a steering committee, the team co-built a platform with local and national leaders in the civic ecosystem. The result: a first-of-its-kind joint fundraising experience designed to pool visibility, gamify engagement, and focus on the incredible work being done across the sector.
The Civic Exchange has its own branding and social media channels in the spirit of collaboration and resource sharing. Mediators Foundation and dedicated partners continue to refine the platform and provide partners with more resources to enrich their own campaigns as we move forward into #CivicSummer and beyond.
Everything You Need to Know
Transparent answers to the questions donors and partners ask most.
How can I be assured my money goes to my organization?
All donations are tracked with a unique signature for every organization and every ambassador. This allows us to track and disperse donations accurately. We also follow up with partners post-campaign to supply you with data and reporting on how your donation was used.
Are my donations tax deductible?
Donations made through The Civic Exchange are directed to registered 501(c)(3) organizations, which are generally tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. We recommend consulting with a tax professional or referring to the partner organization's documentation for specific guidance.
How do organizations or projects partner with the Civic Exchange?
Organizations interested in joining the Civic Exchange as featured partners can reach out through our contact page. Our steering committee reviews all partnership inquiries to ensure alignment with the platform's mission and values.
How much of my donation goes towards the project or organization I chose?
The vast majority of your donation goes directly to the organization you choose. A small processing fee covers payment transaction costs. Full fee transparency is provided at checkout before you confirm your gift.
How is this different from other crowdfunding platforms?
Unlike general crowdfunding platforms, the Civic Exchange is purpose-built for civic health. We curate a portfolio of vetted civic organizations, gamify engagement through an Ambassador program and leaderboard, and operate as a collaborative initiative — not just a marketplace.
How can I get involved?
Whether you're a supporter, a donor, an Ambassador, or just enthusiastic about civic engagement — we'd love to work with you. Become an Ambassador to start fundraising, make a direct donation, share The Civic Exchange on social media, or reach out to explore partnership opportunities.
LEADERSHIP
2026 Steering Committee
co-create The Civic Exchange.
Jacob Bornstein
Mediators Foundation + Better Together America
Alyssa Newlon
Co-Founder, The Civic Exchange
Matt Leighninger
National Civic League
Andy Moore
Let’s Fix This + NANR
Ryan Echols
The People
Alice Griesemer Sheehan
Allsides
Rebecca Trout
National Civic League
Amy Falk Sheldon
Team Democracy
Alejandro Salazar
Unify Montrose + Better Together America Civic Hub
Get Involved in #CivicSummer
Stay tuned for events geared towards gamifying and amplifying the civic health ecosystem. Build your portfolio of change, earn badges, and grow your impact profile.
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS & SPONSORS
