South Dakota Democratic Party Awarded $10,000 Grassroots Organizing Grant from the DNC
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP) announced today that it had been awarded a $10,000 grassroots organizing grant from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) as part of its “Resistance Summer” program. The SDDP is one of the first state parties to receive a grant through the program, and will use the money to fund the hiring of seven (7) grassroots organizers in tribal communities around South Dakota and two (2) paid internships with the SDDP through the summer.
“We are very pleased to be among the first states to be awarded a grant as part of this program,” said SDDP Chair Ann Tornberg. “It’s an encouraging sign that the DNC is committed to helping Democrats win elections up and down the ballot in all 50 states. This program is an important first step in the grassroots organizing Democrats will do in South Dakota to achieve victory in 2018.”
Tornberg said the hiring of the organizers will help build stronger relationships between the Democratic Party and tribal communities.
“These organizers will not only register voters, mobilize volunteers, and help us bring our message to tribal communities, they will also share with us the wisdom they learn from these conversations. This will help us build a stronger South Dakota for everyone,” Tornberg said.
The program is a competitive matching grant program, where the DNC will approve and fund programs which will be executed by state parties. Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective, each grant proposal will be unique to the state’s strategic priorities and organizational capacity.
“There has been an explosion of activism and energy after the election of Donald Trump, and we need to turn this moment into a movement.” said DNC Chair Tom Perez. “As the Democratic Party, it is our role to support this activism and energy, and convert it into electoral wins up-and-down the ballot by making sure state parties have the tools and resources they need to succeed.”
“The best way for Democrats to turn the #Resistance into electoral wins is by doing one thing: organizing,” said DNC Deputy Chair Keith Ellison. “Resistance Summer is the starting point and will take the Democratic Party’s message of fairness and equality to activists on the front lines and all Americans looking to get engaged. The American people want affordable health care for all, good jobs that pay well, and a tax code that rewards hard work. The Democratic Party is the party that will fight to make these issues a reality. We have never had a better opportunity to win up-and-down the ballot. But showing up is not enough. We have to organize, knock on doors, and motivate voters to the polls. Only then can we deliver what hardworking American families need.”
Other states receiving initial grants from the Resistance Summer program include Arizona, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Michigan.
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