"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.
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 of this great nation to go beyond casting a ballot once per year.
Shifting the focus of red & blue supporters to the mighty network of everyday heroes and inspiring organizations striving to improve the lives of Americans across the United States. The Civic Exchange features a range of initiatives from hyper-local to national to coalition-based. Maximizing the advantages of creating a portfolio of civic-health initiatives and organizations all in one place! We are putting the power to drive change into the hands of the people. Shining a light into an often overlooked civic-ecosystem brimming with ingenuity, altruistic-fervor, and a vital dedication to the thriving of all people every day of the year!
With GiveWP you are able to become a leader and represent your cause or organization by stepping up as an Ambassador, with your own dedicated page, and take change of driving funds and visibility towards the levers of change you think will make the most difference!
Check out the Leadership Board regularly to see how you are doing against your peers! Build your portfolio of change and watch your efforts grow!
Ambassador Leaderboard
With our unique donation platform, you are able to become a leader and represent your cause or organization by stepping up as an Ambassador, with your own dedicated page, and take change of driving funds and visibility towards the levers of change you think will make the most difference!
How Did It All Start?
The Civic Exchange, envisioned by Mediators Foundation in 2024, is a field building initiative hosted by Mediators together with its partners, who are represented by the steering committee. Together, we co-built a platform with local and national leaders in the Civic Ecosystem. We are thrilled to have the first campaign launch in 2025! The campaign was designed to pool visibility, gamify engagement, and focus on the incredible work that is being done across the sector by offering a portfolio of initiatives, people and organizations all in one place!
The Civic Exchange has its own branding and social media channels in the spirit of collaboration and resource sharing. Mediators Foundation and other dedicated partners will continue to refine it and provide partners with more resources to enrich their own campaigns as we move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 for us to track and disperse donations accurately. We will also be following up with our partners post campaign to supply you with data and reporting on how your donation was used.
Are my donations tax deductible?
YES, this platform is hosted by Mediators Foundation which is a 501(c)3 which means that all of your donations are tax deductible.
How do organizations or projects partner with the Civic Exchange?
Enrollment in the Civic Exchange is on a rolling basis and is also per campaign. During this inaugural campaign, we are accepting organizations and projects from across the civic health ecosystem that can demonstrate that they are nonpartisan and do not advocate in a partisan way. Organizations must also be able to supply how they measure their impact (the theme of this year’s campaign and explain their budget requests in a budget narrative.
How much of my donation goes towards the project or organization I chose?
Only 5% is taken from overall earnings. 2.2% + 30 cents goes towards Stripe processing while the remaining % goes towards platform costs and the Main Campaign. We are able to offer this discounted Stripe processing fee based on the fiscal sponsorship through Mediators Foundation (a 501(c)3).
We also provide an opportunity to provide a tip for the hosting organization, as this effort was and is resource-intensive. We appreciate any support to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the campaign. This will help make the next campaign even better.
How is this different from other crowdfunding platforms?
This platform was created for, and in direct partnership, with organizations and projects operating across the Civic Health Ecosystem. We pride ourselves on reaching out to target spaces and projects that are underrepresented and often overlooked. We encourage you to contact us with nominations or connections.
This is a dedicated platform built by and for the Civic Health Ecosystem rather than a third party for-profit business.
What other benefits do these partners receive from participating?
The Civic Exchange is dedicated to supplying learning opportunities, materials, support, and marketing for all campaigns on our platform. We offer four initial training sessions (included with enrollment) and additional webinars and special training. We also dedicate part of our budget to digital marketing and have a resource/several resources committed to ensuring that this campaign and all the attached campaigns are amplified in the best way we can!
How is the money processed?
Mediators Foundation has been fiscally sponsoring nonprofit organizations in compliance with IRS regulations since 1988, and continues to incubate projects like this one. Over nearly four decades, we’ve developed the systems needed to track and disperse millions of dollars for dozens of projects. Our finance team will handle all processed transactions and disperse funds to each organization based on unique tracking signatures through Stripe donations.
How can I get involved?
We’d love to have your help! Reach out to us at alyssa@bettertogetheramerica.org for information on how to amplify local work, engage with this campaign, or create visibility for all of these incredible initiatives!
Introducing the 2025 Steering Committee Members!
Jacob Bornstein
Mediators Foundation + Better Together America
Convenor: Alyssa Newlon
Mediators Foundation + Better Together America
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
How else can you get involved?
Whether you are a supporter, a donor, an Ambassador, or just enthusiastic about civic engagement we are excited to work with you! As we enter #CivicSummer stay tuned for more events geared towards gamifying and amplifying the civic health ecosystem – an underappreciated approach to civic engagement and getting excited about building your portfolio!
Share the Civic Exchange and grow your profile's impact today!
Thank you to the Civic Exchange Supporters and Sponsors
